Who Are The Housing Authority Candidates?

Two candidates are running for a five year term on the Easton Housing Authority.

Sandra Conant (right), the incumbent, has been on the Housing Authority for 15 years. She is a Parker Terrace resident. Elaine Sears (left) is a newcomer vying for the one open seat against Conant. She is a driver for the Easton Council on Aging.

Here is how they answered a few questions from Patch.

Why are you running for Housing Authority?

Sears:

I’m running for housing authority because I want to make sure that things are run properly there and I just want to give back to the town.

I’ve been driving in and out of housing now for going on 24 years in May. I’ve heard and seen the problems that the elderly and disabled deal with and the conditions of the houses that are out and around town and things that have not gotten done in the last 10 years or so that should have been done. Now that my kids are all grown up I have the time to put in on this, and hopefully the elderly and disabled people around town can have a better place to live.

Conant:

We haven’t had a good director in a long time. Now we do have one and he cares about the people in here and he cares about whats going on. That pleases me and I would like to continue to participate in the new beginnings of our housing society and program.

What qualities or experience would you say you bring to the table?

Sears:

I own my own house, so I know things that come up as a homeowner and for apartment owners. I’ve been going to the board meetings since September to learn how they operate things.

Conant:

I’ve been on the board for 15 years. I have tried very hard to make it a pleasant place for our seniors and people with disabilities to live, and until recently, that didn’t happen until we got a new director. Things are in the works now and we’re making new progress with getting things done and I would just like to stay on so I can see the new things that are happening get done and make it better for the seniors.

If elected, what would be your top priorities?

Sears:

I hope to make sure they take care of all the pressing needs for housing and all the houses around town that they own. On the outside, the paint and the structure damage that’s there.

Conant:

I would say the upkeep of the apartments in the buildings are most important to me. A lot of the buildings are very old and they need a lot of attention. Now, we’re beginning to do that. Maintenance has been let go for a long time. Things haven't been taken care of like they should have.