A Letter to the Editor from Raymie Parker:
My name is Raymie Parker and I’m running for a seat on the Stoneham Board of Selectman. I hope you will join me, and support my candidacy on Tuesday April 3, 2018 with one of your two votes. In this letter, I am asking you for a seat at the table.
I am a mom of two beautiful daughters, and the wife of my hero. We have been raising our family here since 2002. I am a very active community volunteer, and the brain in me likes local politics. Some people cook, some do 5K races, some are rocket scientist, I go to meetings. Lots of meetings!
I have a website, dedicated Face Book page, email, and phone number, if anyone has any questions for me. These will be listed at the end of this letter.
On Tuesday 3/27/18, I attended a tri-board meeting with BOS, School Committee, Finance and Advisory board, and department heads. SC and FAB had complete boards in attendance. The BOS did not have full attendance. I mention this because this was a budget meeting, a very important financial discussion for our May town meeting. A meeting of the minds if you will, to make sure everyone is on board with where we are at in the ever changing budget process. The deliberation was great to witness, and it was nice to see collaboration happening. Ideas about what can be done now, and where we could go in the future were on the menu.
Last year at this time, I posted a letter about the "wants and needs" of Stoneham. As I reread this letter the other night, it is as poignant now as it was a year ago. In my writing, I talked about what it is we want, and what are the needs. I still stand by my opinion, and hope that you can give it another read.
“Stoneham does not have a spending problem, we have a revenue problem” (Tom Younger, Town Administrator). Every candidate will tell you that we need to increase our revenues, and commercial tax base. I agree; however, we need to stay fiscally responsible so that when the tough times comes (and I'm sure they will), we will have money in our savings to help us out. There are many changes that will happen over the next five to seven years for Stoneham. When those positive changes happen, that is when we can lower or eliminate fees. I really really like long range planning for Stoneham’s future.
In the meantime, we need to get creative. What's that saying … "If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem". Instead of us creating problems, let’s be proactive and come up with solutions. Now the ideas are just that, ideas. It's a starting point to be worked out, and make improvements too.
Here are a few examples of ways to bring in revenues, without too much harm.
- Work with the Rec department to bring new ideas: Adult Ed classes could include a civics class with volunteers here in town. Or a cooking class at SHS or SMS. We do have a few great chefs and great facilities in town that maybe looking for an opportunity to give back to the community.
- Planning and zoning options. Look at the future growth potential. What is it that Stoneham wants to look like in 5, 10, 20 years.
- Golf course lessons, and discounts at Unicorn Golf. (I’m really interested in learning this game).
- Get current with what other towns are charging for fees, and permitting.
- Winter festivals: Use our town buildings, for concerts, craft fairs, plays, and a senior dance! Bring people to our downtown for multi purposes. We have great buildings in town that could be utilized more often.
These are just a few ways of getting creative while bringing in revenues. While they may not bring in huge amounts of money, we have to start somewhere. These are also community drivers for us to build up the place that we call home. We all should be invested in what can make us stronger and wiser. I’m not looking for the Best, I’m looking for better. We have to start now. If elected, I look forward to working with the community and the Town on ways to help us, not hurt us.
Raymie Parker, candidate for Stoneham Board of Selectmen
