Steve Caskey for Selectman

We support Steve Caskey for Selectman because he is a standout citizen, father, neighbor, and friend; and we could not advocate any more strongly for his election.

We met Steve shortly after we moved to Medfield in July 2013. Our then four year old son and two year old daughter were the same ages as his little Seamus and Brielle. Because of this, we’ve seen first-hand how active and involved Steve has been over the years as a devoted parent, coaching both children in multiple sports, every year.

He and his wife have coordinated numerous New ‘N Town social events (his wife Cailin is a New ‘N Town Board Member) as well as our neighborhood block party. The Caskey’s have also volunteered each year for the Angel Run, and raised $800 for our schools by organizing and hosting a holiday fundraiser this past year. Welcoming a third child this past spring does not appear to have slowed them down!

Before even considering running in this election, Steve had been involved in some key issues facing the town such as LCB, 40B and ALS. Asking questions and doing his own research to get informed; meeting with local officials (whether it's the town, fire department, or consulting similar ranking officials in neighboring towns to get some fresh perspectives); and mobilizing our neighborhood to join him at town meetings. Once elected, Steve will be the kind of Selectman who will be out and about, having conversations on the streets, meeting new people, hearing their concerns, collecting information and working hard to gather facts needed to arrive at a solution.

A Selectman is a "municipal employee" covered by the conflict of interest law, G.L. c. 268A, according to the State Ethics Committee. The conflict of interest law is intended to ensure that public employees act in the best interests of the citizens they represent, and do not pursue their own self-interests and. They are prohibited from "participating, by voting, discussing, delegating or otherwise acting, in any matter that affects his or her own financial interests" such as abutting or nearby property to the matter at hand. Gus Murby's property is in close proximity to the State Hospital (and he is presumed to have a financial interest, by law, when nearby property is proposed for development). So, not only must a public employee (such as Selectman) abstain from voting when he has a conflict of interest, he may not participate in any official discussion of the matter. So, as much as we appreciate Gus' volunteerism and offer to help move this process forward, it would be inappropriate for him to do so in any official capacity, without an independent appraiser verifying he does not, in fact, have any such financial interest.) We even really like Gus' ideas as to what should be done with that property. Luckily, Steve Caskey has a similar vision on that front.

We believe Steve’s natural curiosity and outgoing nature will serve him well as an elected official. Just look at Steve’s track record of volunteerism and activism that we’ve personally witnessed the past three years -as an ordinary citizen- and think of what he can do in a three year term as your Selectman. Being a Selectman is a huge time commitment and without a doubt, Steve is the ONLY candidate who has demonstrated through his actions that he’s up to the task.

Respectfully,

Sue and Ben Fehser

10 Shawnee Road