Redmen Issue Transformed Natick (Jan 2, 2009, MWDN)http://www.wickedlocal.com/natick/town_info/history/x1277305371/Redmen-issue-transformed-Natick

Redmen Forever Becomes Natick Forever (Aug 7, 2008, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x113224706/Redmen-Forever-becomes-Natick-Forever

The Natick Forever PAC wishes to thank Mr. David Giannotti of the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission for presenting the first in what we expect to be a series of public seminars for the betterment of Natick's elected officials and residents.  Mr. Giannotti presented the State's ethics laws (MGL Ch.268A) to about 50 interested attendees at the Morse Library on Sept 24th.  Members from the School Committee, Selectmen, Finance Committee and other interested persons attended the seminar and engaged in active discussion during and after relating to how the State's ethics laws affect Natick's government.  People with questions can reach the State Ethics Commission at (617) 371-9500 (www.state.ma.us/ethics).

Meet the candidates: Natick selectmen race (Mar 29th, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1849966115/Meet-the-candidates-Natick-selectmen-race

Editorial: Joff Ostroff for Natick (Mar 25th, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/x945963245/Editorial-Josh-Ostroff-for-Natick

Editorial: Three for Natick schools (Mar 25th, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinions/x945963255/Editorial-Three-for-Natick-schools

Brown: Time to rebuild town hall (Mar 25th, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/letters/x945963253/Brown-Time-to-rebuild-town-hall

Natick selectmen debate gets heated (Mar 19th, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1555728849/Natick-selectmen-debate-gets-heated

Write-in candidate joins Natick school race (Mar 15th, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x2137462579/Write-in-candidate-joins-Natick-school-race

Natick Forever endorses selectmen challenger Lista (Mar 10th, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x238204181/Natick-Forever-endorses-selectman-challenger-Lista

Natick School Committee candidates agree to focus on financial crisis (Feb 25th, 2009, MWDN) http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1694332329/Natick-School-Committee-candidates-agree-to-focus-on-financial-crisis

From Redmen furor, a call to civic engagement (posted Feb 15th, 2009, Boston Globe West)http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2009/02/15/from_redmen_furor_a_call_to_civic_engagement/?page=full

Natick selectmen candidates face off in debate (posted Feb 11th, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1098745613/Natick-selectmen-candidates-face-off-in-debate

Brown: Politically, not just another year (posted Feb 5, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/letters/x1717608713/Brown-Politically-not-just-another-year

Natick School Committee scraps candidate forum (posted Jan 27, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x357829769/Natick-School-Committee-scraps-candidate-forum

Mulroney drops out of School Committee race (posted Jan 26, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/archive/x716055848/Mulroney-drops-out-of-School-Committee-race

Two new forums planned for Natick's Election (posted Jan 25, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1099987013/Two-new-forums-planned-for-Naticks-election

Five Seeking Three Seats On School Committee (posted Jan 24, 2009, MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1153348570/Five-seeking-three-seats-on-School-Committee

Natick Selectmen Ostroff Hopes to Continue His Service (posted Jan 15, 2009 MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x258519560/Natick-Selectman-Ostroff-hopes-to-continue-his-service

Natick's Lista Vows to Focus On Fiscal Responsibility (posted Jan 14, 2009 MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x996400920/Naticks-Lista-vows-to-focus-on-fiscal-responsibility

Natick selectmen to appoint interim town clerk (posted Jan 13, 2009 MWDN)http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x414846898/Natick-selectmen-to-appoint-interim-town-clerk

Candidates for Natick Annual Town Election Tuesday, March 29, 2011
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
(candidates are listed in the order that their names will appear on the ballot)
(2) three year seats
Carol Gloff (Incumbent)
www.CarolGloff.org
Dr. Lawrence Delaney
Nicholas Mabardy
www.NickForNatick.com
Edward (Ted) Wynne
Wynne withdraws from Natick selectman's race
(Alissa Letkowski 3/21/11 NatickPatch)
http://natick.patch.com/articles/wynne-withdraws-from-selectmen-race
www.TedForNatick.org
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
(2) three year seats
Frederick (Dirk) Coburn (Incumbent)
Amy Mistrot (Incumbent)
(1) two year seat
Paul Laurent
(recently appointed to the seat which was vacated by Dave Murphy)
BOARD OF ASSOSSORS
(1) three year seat
Stephen Hansen
BOARD OF HEALTH
(1) three year seat
Ian Wong
CONSTABLE
(2) two year seats
Harold T. Garvey
James Lavezzo
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION
(2) three year seats
Michael Fair (Incumbent)
John Griffith (Incumbent)
James McMullin
PLANNING BOARD
(1) five year seat
Andy Meyer (Incumbent)
(1) three year seat (Associate Member)
Peter Nottonson
NATICK HOUSING AUTHORITY
(1) five year seat
Dr. Lawrence Delaney
Charlene Foss
(1) two year seat
Richard MacPherson
Jeanne Williamson Ostroff
www.VoteForJeanne.com

Natick selectmen candidates debate at library

(Megan Mckee Globe-West)

Three Natick Board of Selectmen candidates tried to convince voters they deserved one of the two seats up for grabs in the annual town election during Monday night's debate hosted by political action committee Natick Forever.

Incumbent Carol Gloff frequently referenced her numerous years in town government while challenger Nick Mabardy, the town's outgoing police chief, highlighted his family's century-plus legacy in town and Ted Wynne pointed to his experience in the business world as proof that he'd help make sound decisions during tough economic times.

The fourth candidate, Lawrence Delaney, wasn't at the debate which was held at the Morse Institute Library. He is banned from the library for allegedly showing staff members a lewd photograph last year.

Moderator Jimmy Brown asked a variety of questions crafted to elicit the candidates' understanding of town government and how their qualifications would fit the role of selectman.

He also asked about the candidates' ideas for improving the town.

Gloff, who has spent six years on the Board of Selectmen and eight years on Finance Committee before that, talked about how she jumped into civic life soon after moving to town 19 years ago. “Natick is my home. Natick was a very welcoming home. I didn't know a single soul when I moved here. To be honest with you, it was going to be a great commute to Cambridge where I was working,” said Gloff. “I found I could be involved...I've made great friends here and I hope to live here for many, many more years.”

Mabardy talked about his family's history in town. “Not only has our family been in this town for almost 110 years, going through the school system, this is my home. This is the home of my parents. It's everything we have an affinity for in life...I was born here. I'll die here,” said Mabardy.

Following Mabardy, Wynne, a 16-year resident called himself a “relative newcomer” and jokingly said he moved to Natick “as soon as I could,” which earned some audience laughs. “I've made many friends through the vital civic life. You have people who are willing to give their time on a volunteer basis to improve the town. I really feel blessed.”

When asked about his qualifications, Wynne talked about working as a lawyer, and having ample experience working in the corporate world for companies like TJX and Staples. He said the town needs to adopt strategies used in business like setting short-term and long-term goals, and measuring their achievement. He also said Natick needs to take a systematic look the services it provides to become more efficient. “We cannot fee our way out of this recession. We cannot override our way to maintaining services. The only way we're going to maintain the current services we enjoy is by becoming leaner,” said Wynne.

Mabardy pointed to his 42-year career with the Natick police when defining his skills. “I started out here as patrol officer and now I'm chief of police. I'm familiar with what happens at department meetings, I've been to Finance Committee meetings, selectmen meetings,” said Mabardy.

And Gloff mentioned the numerous committees and boards on which she's sat. She also talked about how her training as a scientist has taught her to objectively review facts before coming to conclusions. “It's hard to balance competing interests. but what we can do, and what I have done is to make sure those decision are based on facts, even if those facts are not what we want to hear,” said Gloff.

Brown and the audience asked about specific issues like whether they support consolidation of services between the town and municipal side of government. All three said they do.

He also asked how they'd improve downtown. Mabardy said it all comes down to “parking, parking, parking.” Wynne said the town should encourage businesses to stay open later to accommodate people visiting downtown for shows at The Center for Arts and other events. And Gloff said a supermarket is desperately needed.

Brown asked how the candidates thought Natick could be made more appealing to young families and senior citizens. Gloff stressed both diverse and affordable housing, as did Wynne. Wynne also mentioned expanding the commercial tax base, which he said would take the pressure off of residents to pay for the ever-increasing cost of services. Mabardy said schools are vital and the town needs to do a better job at outreach to seniors about tax and fee-relief programs.

The election is March 29.

Natick Forever will have a forum fot the three unoppossedSchool Committe candidates next Monday at 8 p.m. in the The Town Hall

megan.mckee@gmail.ocm

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Selectmen Candidates Face Off

in Third Annual Debate

(By Alissa Letkowski, NatickPatch)  

Three selectmen candidates participated in the Natick Forever debate at the Morse Institute Library Monday night.

Natick residents filled the Morse Institute Library meeting room Monday night to watch three of the four Board of Selectmen candidates participate in the third annual Natick Forever Political Action Committee Selectmen Debate.

Candidates Carol Gloff, Nicholas Mabardy and Ted Wynne had the chance to respond to each question posed by Natick Forever chairman and debate moderator Jimmy Brown. The fourth candidate, Dr. Lawrence Delaney, was unable to attend the debate due to a previous ban from the library. Brown said Delaney was given a chance to write a letter to be read at the debate, but did not submit a statement.

Carol Gloff has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for six years. Gloff expressed comfort in the current level of public safety in Natick, but shared that residents have expressed to her concerns that Natick Collection consumes too much of the police department’s time. Regarding Natick’s public education, she mentioned the student’s MCAT scores, although strong, can be improved. In answering the most popular question submitted by the public prior to the debate, Gloff advocated in support of a Fall 2010 Annual Town Meeting warrant to suggest a committee to consider possible consolidation of administrative and facilities management between the schools and the town. The schools and the town should work together to look for ways to “streamline” and to be more efficient and save the taxpayers as much money as possible, she said. When asked why she thinks there is a decline in Town Meeting member applications, Gloff said she thinks many people are not aware of what the position entails and that some may be discouraged by comments at town meetings in the past that some may consider disrespectful. When asked whether she would support increasing taxes and fees or cutting services, she cited her vote at a recent selectmen’s meeting to not raise trash bag fees to the public by 15 percent in order to help close the budget gap as suggested by the recycling committee.

Nicholas Mabardy will leave his post as current Natick police Chief at the end of March and has been with the department for 42 years, something he said has given him the opportunity to listen and learn from Natick residents and learn what’s important to them. Mabardy, whose family has been in town for almost 110 years, said he feels there needs to be more “collaborative accountability” between the public schools and the municipal side of town and that there needs to be more transparency in communication between the selectmen and the town administrator, explaining he feels many residents do not always understand what it happening in town government, although they may follow the meetings. Mabardy, who has served as a town meeting member, said he would not be in support of any tax increases if facing the possibility of cutting services. The chief expressed his concerns for the seniors in the town, saying that more can be done to provide tax relief.

Ted Wynne has a background in law and business and has spent six years as a Town Meeting member and on the school committee, something he said could help his communication with the selectmen and the School Committee. He expressed a need to keep the school system attractive to young families looking to move to town, but said his decisions would reflect a benefit to the town as a whole. Winn said it is important to attract new businesses to town to alleviate the homeowners’ burden and said in order to keep living in town affordable to seniors and other residents it is necessary to increase a commercial tax base. Wynne, like the other two participants, spoke of a need for parking downtown. “There can be no more growth downtown until we can solve that problem,” he said, suggesting a public private partnership could be formed to share the cost of development and revenues generated. Wynne also suggested businesses in town center could close later, allowing those attending shows at the Center for the Arts in Natick and other events to have some nightlife afterward. The town will choose two candidates to fill spots on Board of Selectmen on March 29.

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Natick Selectmen candidates

not eager to see taxes go up

(Ian Murphy, MWDN) 

   NATICK — Three candidates for the Board of Selectmen debated yesterday at Morse Institute Library, discussing how to keep Natick attractive and affordable, all while campaigning for votes in the March 29 town election.

Incumbent Carol Gloff, retiring Police Chief Nick Mabardy, and former School Committee Member Ted Wynne took questions from moderator Jimmy Brown and the crowd of about 40. Brown is the chairman of the Natick Forever political action committee, which organized the event.

The candidates were asked their preference between raising taxes and fees or cutting services to balance a budget. Gloff said cutting services is difficult, but pointed out she recently voted against raising fees on town trash bags.

"In the almost six years I've served on the Board of Selectmen, there have been a number of occasions where we talked about cutting a service," Gloff said. "Almost universally, almost every time, there is an outcry from some segment of our citizenry in Natick to not cut that service. It's really difficult from my perspective to cut services from a segment of the population that really needs and wants it. On the other hand, I don't like raising fees."

Mabardy took a more direct approach. "Taxes and fees: is that redundant?" Mabardy said. "Fees are taxes, and we know about taxes, they never go down and they never go away. ...I'm not in favor of any increases in taxes or fees." Wynne said Natick has already had to deal with several increases in fees and taxes over the last several years and the town ought to be looking for ways to run more efficiently.

"Every time, I think, over the last 10 or 12 years that the taxpayers in Natick have been asked to step up to the plate, they have," Wynne said. "We've imposed fees in the schools, and we've imposed trash fees, and I believe in that time we've only had one operational override. Clearly, that's not a sustainable approach. ...We need to always seek ways to be more efficient. I'm not convinced currently that we need to raise taxes or fees."

Wynne said he would draw on his experience working for local large retailers like TJX Companies and Staples to streamline operations.

Lawrence Delaney, the fourth candidate in the race, did not participate in the debate because he has been banned from the library for one year in October after showing library staff an inappropriate photo. Brown said he offered to read a prepared statement from the retired doctor at the debate, but Delaney did not submit one. The four candidates are competing for two seats.

(Ian B. Murphy can be reached at 508-626-3964 or imurphy@wickedlocal.com.) Copyright 2011 The MetroWest Daily News. Some rights reserved Read more: ***************************************************************************************************

NATICK FOREVER 

THIRD ANNUAL

 SCHOOL COMMITTEE CANDIDATE FORUM

Monday March 14, 2011

Beginning at 8:00PM

Third Floor Natick Town Hall

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PLEASE CONTINUE TO VISIT THIS PAGE

FOR OTHER

CANDIDATE EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR 2011

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Once again, Natick Forever was pleased to sponsor debates and forums for the public. Hopefully these events provided the voters with information that assisted in the 2010 Natick Anuual Town Election voting process.

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Did YOU join us?

Natick Forever

sponsored two public events in 2009
bringing the candidates to the voters. 

2/10/09 - Selectmen's Debate

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1098745613/Natick-selectmen-candidates-face-off-in-debate

Josh Ostroff, Incumbent                  Jimmy Brown (NFPAC)               Tony Lista, Challenger

Natick Selectmen candidates got to ask each other questions, which they then had to answer themselves as well!

Josh Ostroff, Incumbent                                                Tony Lista, Challenger