Falmouth Candidate Profile: Michael Heylin For Select Board

FALMOUTH, MA — Falmouth's town election is May 18. Falmouth Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Michael Heylin is one of two candidates running for a seat on the Falmouth Select Board. Incumbent Select Board member Douglas Jones chose not to seek reelection, so Heylin and Onjale Scott Price will compete for the open seat.

Are you running for office in Falmouth? Contact Jimmy Bentley at jimmy.bentley@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Falmouth Patch.

Learn a little more about Heylin in the profile below:

Age (as of Election Day)

40

Position Sought

Falmouth Selectboard

Family

Married to Pamela Heylin. 3 children Callen and Aurora are at North Falmouth Elementary and Nolan is at West Falmouth Preschool

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.S. Communications Fitchburg MBA/Nonprofit Fitchburg State

Occupation

CEO RAYCAM nonprofit media center

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Falmouth Town Meeting

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/Micha...

Why are you seeking elective office?

Being born in Falmouth and knowing it is where I wanted to raise my children I I have always been a vocal advocate for our town's young persons best interests and will continue to do so. As a father with young children in our schools, my work with the Recreation committee, and as an elected Town Meeting member I have spent years and years donating my time and resources to help our community and our children.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Most pressing issue is the digital divide and bringing high speed internet to all on the Cape. With schooling being done remotely, working remotely etc. it is of utmost importance that all residents are afforded equal opportunity. It is unfair for a subsection of our community to not have needed internet in order to learn, work and socialize. We also need to work together to fully staff the Fire Department, so as we work to build new substations, we have enough women and men working to staff those stations. This will ensure everyone is as safe as can be.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have been working/volunteering in our community for years on various committees and elected positions and have always worked diligently to help the children of our community. The biggest difference is my campaign is run by me, with help from my mother, I do not have a bunch of people working for me behind the scenes. I have used my personal time and money to donate items to our children, help out the elderly get their much-needed vaccines, and to help better the town and not campaign ads etc. I am running to continue to be a voice for our children and those in need in our town, and will listen to all residents. I am not running on what I will do, but what I have done and will continue to do.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

During the coronavirus I have donated masks, face shields, items for our children to play with during recess, so they could socially distance. I am thankful for the outdoor learning committee for all their work, and I am proud to say I helped them get our schools ready during these trying times. When the vaccine rollout started, I woke up every morning at 5 AM to help sign up elderly residents in need to ensure they could get vaccinated. I am hoping that the town could work to ensure all those who want a vaccine can get one, even if that means the town has sign-up clinics through the local board of health.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Blue energy and coastal resiliency are big issues and Floating Wave Attenuators, which would be similar to a pier that is in the ocean and creates a wave break system to diminish large waves crashing on the beach. Not only would this stop erosion, it could also be used as a way to generate clean blue energy with underwater devices that would capture the seas currents and turn them into renewable energy. Another advantage to these systems is the possibility of create walkways, or piers, that would be a great feature for residents and tourists alike. With federal renewable energy grants available, this could be down with minimum tax impact on our residents all while creating energy, a fun place to visit, and help curb erosion.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have run a successful nonprofit for 14 years, and have partnered with school districts to assist inner city HS children to graduate and go off to college. Just recently a student reached out telling me that he is working in television and thanked me for helping him along the way. Everything I do I strive to help those who need my help, as some day we all need help, and helping young people achieve that is a huge achievement of mine, and I am very proud of that.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Keep your eye on the ball - My grandfather

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Get out and vote, I know many people get frustrated with local politics, but this is our community and if you want someone to listen and help you out when you need help, I would be grateful for your support.