For Your Consideration: John Dowling

Editor's Note: Every morning this week, Grafton.Patch.com will feature a profile and video introduction from each of the 5 candidates for 2 open seats for selectman. The candidates were each asked to answer questions submitted by our staff and the public and to include a video telling why they should receive your vote.

Candidate profiles are running in the order they were received. Today's candidate is John Dowling.

Name: John B Dowling

Age: 53

Address: 10 Creeper Hill Road

Occupation: Salesman

Relevant experience: Sales for 20 years, 13 years engineering background, Chairman of GES Parent Teacher Group, former Chairman of Grafton Energy Committee, current Director of Education for Grafton Education Alliance, former Commissioner of Grafton Girls Softball Cole Division.

How voters can reach you: John@GraftonDowling.com

Why did you decide to run for selectman?

First, I can make a difference and I will make a difference. I bring fresh ideas and innovative thinking from my years of experience in engineering and sales. I'm a father of five children and have reaped the rewards of 11 years of community experience here in Grafton. My most recent leadership role is the current Chairman of the Grafton Elementary School Parent Teacher Group (GESPTG) where I have coordinated 24 committees.

What is the most pressing issue facing Grafton?

We need to attract more businesses into Grafton to increase our commercial tax base since our single biggest issue is the town spending vs. our residential real estate taxes. To do this we need to do a better job competing with our neighboring towns for commercial business. In addition, we are all tightening our fiscal belts at home and our town government must do the same.

What will make you a good selectman?

In my job as a salesman I've learned the key to success is to listen to my customers. As selectman, I would make it a point to listen to residents to understand their needs and develop innovative solutions. I'm also someone who can be trusted. As a society, we have lost trust in our elected officials and  promise Grafton residents that they can trust in me to make intelligent decisions and I always do what is best for all Grafton residents. I also promise if elected to have regular monthly meetings with Grafton residents to continue listening to their concerns and ideas.

The town’s infrastructure (roads, buildings, dams and vehicles) is crumbling. What is the best way to fix it? Should the town borrow $15M in one shot, introduce new taxes or take another approach?

We cannot afford a large debt at this point in time due to other commitments. At the same time, we cannot afford to do nothing. We should develop a plan to repair our roads… and make them "shovel ready" which would allow us to compete for state and federal grants. This plan would also allow us to properly develop a spending plan to make sure we designate funds to maintain our infrastructure as well as fund capital projects going forward.

Fiscal times are tough. How can Grafton keep taxes and budgets under control as state revenues, property values and personal incomes shrink?

Keeping spending under control is something we all do at home. It is imperative that we spend every dollar of taxpayer money as prudently as possible. In addition, as I stated earlier, we need to increase the commercial tax base to help lesson the burden on residents. We also need to share as many resources as possible within the town, across departments and between the schools and the municipality to maximize our resources.

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