Marlborough Candidate Profile: Bhaskar Purimetla For City Council

MARLBOROUGH, MA — After the November election, Ward 1 in Marlborough will have a new City Councilor. Joseph Delano Jr. is not returning to the Council after serving for 12 years.

Voters will have a choice between two new candidates, Laura Wagner and Bhaskar Purimetla.

Patch has sent each candidate a set of questions about why they're running. Purimetla, 50, is a first-time candidate who holds a master’s degree in business from Babson College, and has two kids in Marlborough schools. He's running on a platform to improve public services like parks, roads, and schools.

Here's how he answered the Patch candidate questionnaire:

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Drive quality of life improvements for our Ward 1 residents of all ages and needs including improved parks, side walks, roads, schools, youth sports, regional transportation and create better local dining, shopping, entertainment and social options in East Marlborough. I will maintain an open communication policy with ward residents, solicit feedback and work together with Marlborough community to make Ward 1 and our city an appealing place to live for residents of all backgrounds and for businesses to establish, grow and create jobs. I am committed to work with city administration and council to ensure we realize best returns on our spending and for the taxes we pay. I will bring diversity to the city council to ensure all residents of Ward 1 are well represented for a stronger community.

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

I bring my extensive experience in engineering and operations background at large corporations with focus on constructive problem solving and collaboration to improve accountability and help our city government deliver valued services more efficiently to our residents. I will also ensure that our residents will have an easy way to stay engaged with our city government through email, social/web and other forms of communication. I completely understand that we all have busy lives and it is difficult to have the time to stay engaged with local government, but I will do my best to help change that and I believe an open and transparent government is the best government.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I strongly believe that our schools and their ability to educate and equip our children to compete in the global marketplace is very important for their future success and in ensuring Marlborough and our Ward 1 continue to attract families who want to live here and send their children to our schools. I will work with and support our school committee and administration in improving our STEM education and classes for all children, including advanced classes in math and science and literature to challenge their curiosity and learning.

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

With my career spanning engineering, management and business I have a broad set of skills to include planning, innovation, budgeting and delivering results while building broad coalitions to improve services. I will be able to bring that experience to help city administration get the most out of the tax dollars while improving Ward 1 for current and future residents and making it a desirable place for all of us including children, families and senior citizens to live and work.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

""Think globally, act locally". I strongly believe that global issues such as climate change, trade, immigration affect all of us and we need to be aware of the changes occurring at state, national and global level but be ultra-focused on finding solutions that work for us. Finding the right balance and devising solutions and policies at city level to address those challenges will help us as residents be successful both individually and collectively.

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

I strongly believe in open communications. If elected I will proactively communicate with our Ward residents and stay in touch on important issues that are coming before the city council and solicit their valuable feedback in identifying the best solutions. I will represent Ward 1 interests first and foremost, but will partner effectively with other members of city administration to ensure a strong Ward 1 and a strong Marlborough.

I would sincerely appreciate your consideration of my candidacy and support and please vote for me on November 5th, to represent Ward 1 in the city council.