By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

HARRISON — With Penny Bean and Hank Dumont declining to seek re-election to the Harrison Select Board, four candidates hope to fill the two vacated seats.

Entering the race are Kathy Bracken, Philip Devlin, Frederick Ross and Sierra Scribner. The town will hold elections and action on warrant articles via secret ballot on June 8 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are now available, and a copy of the ballot is available on the town website.

The News posed the following questions to the candidates, whose responses appear in alphabetical order. 

Editor’s Note: Kathy Bracken declined to be included in this article.

Why did you decide to run for office?

Devlin: In my work on the Harrison Broadband Advisory Committee, I saw that my technical and project management experience could add significant value on that project in assessing where the town is today and where it should be headed in the future. One of the lessons learned with broadband is that businesses by themselves will not always arrive at solutions that improve the quality of life for all residents in town and that the town may need to play a role (perhaps a small one but a smart one) to assure the public interest is protected for all residents. Broadband will be an important decision for the board later this year. We received a 23% participation rate in the broadband survey and I would like to increase that participation level and engage the community to formulate the clear picture of where we want Harrison to go over the next 5 to 10 years and what we need to do to get there.

I believe I could offer some new perspectives not only on managing the financial aspects of the town but looking ahead in a more focused way to some of the major issues and challenges I see.

Ross: I decided to run for office because I’ve always thought I should do something more than just being a citizen. I am not a politician. As a selectman, you are looking after the community. I felt it was time for me to step up and doing something for my town. I’ve known Rick (Sykes) and Ray (Laplante) for some time as members of the Fire Department and felt we could do some nice things together. Also, I like the town manager, he’s right on track getting the town going in the right direction. I can talk with him. He has a nice manner. 

Scribner: I am running as I think a young perspective is needed. I also want to help make a difference.

What strengths do you feel you would bring to the position?

Devlin: I believe I have strong analytical and research skills and am very thorough in evaluating options. I enjoy reading and I think this helps in being able to see what solutions have worked, or not worked, when the town is faced with problems that many municipalities encounter. I much prefer having a well-thought-out plan to execute against rather than responding to things on the spur-of-the-moment.

Ross: I’ve lived here since 1966, so I think I have the pulse of the town. I think I know, at least the older citizens, expect from the town. I think what the people coming to Harrison — they come here because they enjoy our area and like our people — have a tendency to want to change things like where they came from. I am not a fan of that. The old ways may not be the best or greatest, but they’re functional, they work good, and it keeps us from going big time or a showy place. We’re a rural town, and I’d like to keep us in that category. I like the people here. I might not always agree, but we always walk away friends because we’re good people. I think I know the direction the town wants to go in and stay in. I hope we can keep Harrison a peaceful place. That’s what people like, they feel they can come here and feel comfortable.

Scribner: I am a people person and love working with different people. I am a problem solver. I also work well under pressure.

When faced with difficult decisions, what is your approach?

Devlin: I try to ensure that I’ve identified all the options, then do sufficient research so that the pros and cons of each option are clear and can be weighed against each other. No one makes perfect decisions all the time but, I think, as long as decisions are made with all the options on the table and with regard to long term effects rather than just snap decisions for the sake of expediency, the results will generally be favorable. 

Ross: I’ve always tried to weigh the pros and cons, and determine what will be the best outcome of this decision or that decision. I’m pretty conservative. You have to look at both sides, and come up with what’s best for everyone and the community. I don’t have any great strategy except what is put before me. I don’t go out on a limb, take chances. It would be my approach to be as conservative as possible, yet still meet the needs of citizens.

Scribner: I research and listen to what everyone’s thoughts are. I also weigh the pros and cons to each solution taking into consideration if it is legal and ethical to be done.

Name three major concerns you have regarding the town, explain and possible solutions?

Devlin: 1. Planning for the future: The town’s Comprehensive Plan needs to be updated.  It did a good job of protecting the environment, but it does not identify much to encourage economic development or workforce development. I would like to see it updated to include objectives in these areas and identify steps, including good Internet service, that we could take that would encourage and support home-based businesses and support increasing number of remote workforce/telecommuters. I think it is an important way to address long-term sustainability by attracting people to reside in Harrison regardless of where, who, they may work for.

2. Measuring progress: With some updated targets that come out of a planning process, I think we need to improve our ability to measure how well we are doing as a town. We have an annual budget process that provides a financial comparison from one year to the next. But I would recommend that we use the planning process to set up some criteria or metrics that better identifies how efficiently and effectively our spending, and revenue as well, is not only historically against our previous financial numbers but against state-wide benchmarks, as well. 

3. Infrastructure: There are several areas of the town infrastructure that I would like to see addressed. I consider it important that we resolve the inconsistent Internet access in town. We have found that a large portion of town does not receive adequate Internet service and that the current providers feel that they do not have a sufficient business case for extending service through the entire town. With the availability of public funding over the next few years, I hope to complete my work on the Broadband Committee and arrive at public-private partnership model that ensures all residents have access to high speed Internet service. We should also identify other infrastructure issues that could use improvement. Parking in the summer is likely to become worse if not addressed and is not very encouraging for people to spend time (and money) in the village. Also, we encourage people to get out and walk for their health but have limited safe walking areas. I would like to pursue grants in these areas, which may require some matching funds, to see if we can improve the overall quality of life in town.

Ross: We don’t have a lot of terrible concerns. First, Harrison is paying way too much on the school budget. I’ve talked with the town manager about this. We’re one of the highest taxpayers in the school district. It’s ridiculous based on the number of kids we send. There’s nothing we can do about it the way the tax system is set up. I’d like to see it changed. Until we get the state to do something about it, we’re stuck in this hole. The town manager is on this situation and is trying to do something to help us out. I’d be with him on anything to reduce our school taxes. 

Second concern, I’m not a computer person, the broadband is a problem. A lot of people are working at home, and with kids needing Internet for school work, it’s something we need to look at. It’s important.

Third, to maintain the character of our town. I’m interested in keeping our rec program going. It’s imperative our children have a program. Our program is top notch. Always has been. It’s a priority. It’s also important to have the safety equipment to protect our town. I haven’t looked into the problems, but if elected, I will certainly learn more about what the town’s needs are — some I am sure that I am not aware of at this moment.

Scribner: One is spending, I am looking to keep this a small town and with that we do not need to have the spending of a big town. I also believe we need to expand our Internet. I plan on working with the state representative and senator to help get the funding for our little town. Town official approachability, I plan on being open to everyone in the community and here to listen to everyone. 

Finally, if a person was to ask, “Why should I vote for you?” how would you answer?

Devlin: I think I could bring some additional planning and analytical skills to supplement those already available on the board, as well as another point of view to some of the challenges that the town faces today and in the future. I would like to think that we can collectively agree on where we want Harrison to go in the future, identify some measurements of how to stay on track and, with some foresight, anticipate the problems we will encounter to make the trip less bumpy. 

Ross: I want the best for you (townspeople). The best for our town. I want Harrison to stay Harrison. I think I can help do that. I will save money every chance I get, but I won’t cut out anything that the town needs. I think I am a good candidate. I don’t have an axe to grind with anybody. I am open-minded. I will try to do the best that I can.

Scribner: I am a person who was raised to be involved. I was also raised if you want change you must help change it yourself. I am running as I think I would be a great asset to the town. I feel this town needs some young people to be involved and keep this town the Friendly Village that it is.

Meet the Candidates Night

Meet the Candidates, an opportunity for Harrison residents to meet and hear from candidates for the Harrison Board of Selectmen and Planning Board in an informal setting, will be held on Wednesday, June 2 at the Caswell Conservancy Center, 42 Main Street, Harrison, at 7 p.m.  

Nancy Vose, an experienced moderator, will be conducting the session providing a balance of candidate’s conversation and audience participation. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments available. Plan to attend and be informed prior to Election Day, June 8. For information, call Muffett at 850-501-2709.