Another Dublin resident has announced a write-in campaign for the open Select Board seat.
Chris Raymond, 35, told the Ledger-Transcript on Monday morning that he decided over the weekend to run against Allan “Geoff” Pinney and write-in candidate David Wolpe.
“I just felt something had to be done,” Raymond said. “I want to give people another option.”
Raymond – who grew up in town and owns Eastern Slope Construction LLC and Dublin Village Park – said he isn’t coming into the race with an agenda, but did say he wants to work to bring more young families back into town.
“Bringing our community back is huge,” Raymond said. “Twenty to 25 years ago we had a lot of families, and now people are worried about the elementary school closing.”
Raymond said he has talked about and thought about running for town office in the past, but this year it “became evident” that he had to throw his name out there.
“I’m an honest, open, and upfront person,” Raymond said. “I have a willingness to listen and I will educate myself to make smart decisions for this town.”
To aide his campaign, Raymond has installed a large green container with his name on it in an open field west of the intersection of Route 101 and East Harrisville Road.
“I’ll be out on election day doing a lot of networking,” Raymond said. “… I want to bring some young blood and some new thoughts and energy to the board.”
Raymond will square off against Pinney and Wolpe for a three-year seat on the Select Board. Incumbent Selectman Sturdy Thomas did not seek re-election this year.
Pinney told the Ledger-Transcript that his priorities if elected will include focusing on the town’s tax burden and keeping the public elementary school in town.
“That school is a big part of the town,” Pinney said. “We need more young people and young families in town.”
Pinney also said he was upset about how the town’s selectmen calling a special town meeting in the fall to raise $225,000 via taxtion to fix roads damages by summer flooding.
Pinney called the meeting unneccesary, as he felt the town should have used the unreserved fund balance and capital reserve funds instead.
Wolpe, who is also running a write-in campaign, said he will prioritize bringing broadband to town in a cost-effective way if elected.
He also spoke against a ConVal School District warrant article that if passed would change the district’s funding formula.
“Given that Dublin is already taxed far more than almost all other towns, I don’t want to see our taxes rise again,” Wolpe said, in his candidate profile.
Brooks Johnson’s name will also appear on the ballot, although he told the Ledger-Transcript last month that he has withdrawn from the race.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com.