Although 13 candidates are running for town positions, only two spoke with residents at Temple’s candidate event in the Town Hall Thursday, March 5. An audience member also volunteered as a write-in for Supervisor of the Checklist.
There are 16 open positions: 13 are uncontested, two don’t have candidates and one is a write-in.
After three terms as a selectman, Bill Ezell has retired from his position, leaving Select Board candidate Clay Lennartz unopposed. Lennartz told the audience he moved to Temple three years ago from Merrimack. He said his professional experience, two engineering degrees and a business degree qualify him for the position.
“I designed equipment early in my career,” he said. “Eventually, I was forced into management, where I spent time in China before coming back to New Hampshire.”
After buying an old machine shop, Lennartz said he built it into one of the largest in New Hampshire and has almost 50 people on his payroll.
“I want to be part of the community and feel useful, and because I do know management, Select Board is the most logical place for me to help,” he said.
Planning Board candidate Kent Perry said his background in construction qualifies him for one of two open seats.
“I want to use my expertise in construction to help with the Planning Board,” he said. Perry noted his dislike for building new housing along poorly maintained roads. “I don’t want any more housing slammed onto roads that aren’t up to classified standard,” he told the audience. He hopes to limit similar future developments.
Audience member Heidi Thibodeau offered her name as a write-in for the empty Supervisor of the Checklist position. She said she’s lived in town for 26 years and wanted to put her name on the ballot to get more involved.
The positions without candidates are one of three budget advisors and one of two library trustees. Below is the list of open seats.
Moderator: One open seat, one candidate – Phil Lauriat, unopposed
Select Board: One open seat, one candidate – Clayton Lennartz, unopposed
Supervisor of the Checklist: One open seat, no candidates – Thibodeau put her name in as a write-in
Planning Board: Two open seats, two candidates – Kent Perry, Randall Martin, both unopposed
Budget Advisory Committee: Three open seats, two candidates – Timothy Fiske, William Letendre, both unopposed
Cemetery Trustee: One open seat, one candidate – Vivian Willis, unopposed
Library Trustee: Two open seats, one candidate – Nicole Concordia, unopposed
Zoning Board of Adjustments: Two open seats, two candidates, unopposed – Richard Redding, Lynessa Huntley, both unopposed
Fire Engineer: Two open seats, two candidates – Christopher Curtis, Luke Peterson, both unopposed
Trustee of the Trust Funds: One open seat, one candidate – William Letendre, unopposed