Elections 2012: Planning Board Candidate Ken Buechs

Office: Planning Board

Name: Kenneth Buechs  

Address: 146 Bartlett Road

Age: 69  

Background: Although I have officially retired, I work part-time at the Carver Cable Access Television Station. Married 49 years. My wife and I have four grown children and four grandchildren. I have lived in Plymouth for 38 years. I've been an alternate on the Plymouth Planning Board, Chairman of the Precinct Chairs, Chairman of Precinct 7, and a Committee Member on the Industrial, Commercial, Office Land Study committee. I'm a member of the Moose Lodge and the Simes House Foundation.

The three biggest issues facing Plymouth: Waste Management: Like any growing community, our waste management issues are growing with us and we as a community need to address them.   Energy Management: I am an advocate for alternative energy because I understand how it can reduce Plymouth’s dependence on the energy grid while lowering energy costs to the average taxpayer.   Economic Development: We need to ensure that our by-laws work to protect the environment while creating opportunities for sound economic growth.   While I am an advocate for alternative energy, I believe that all alternative energy projects must be sited correctly and well thought out, critical components of our Comprehensive Master Plan (CMP)   Remember, most alternative energy plans come with ling-term commitments. Therefore, we need to imagine the impact of these projects on our environment, not just at the beginning of the commitment but at the end of the commitment as well.

Reasons for running: Having served as an Alternate on the Planning Board, Chairman of the Precinct Chairs, Chairman of Precinct 7, and as a member of the Industrial, Commercial, Office Land Study, I would like to see Plymouth establish a regularly scheduled review of our zoning by-laws. We adopted the current process in 1973 and while we have tweaked it since then it’s time to examine the whole set in order to ensure that they remain relevant, and represent the best ways to encourage both environmental protection and economic growth. My years in public service have clearly shown that I have a strong sense of what is practical. I will remain an open mind while researching the facts of an issue and have the ability to work with others to be productive while maintaining civility.