Anthony McKeon and James Keller For Selectmen

   Along with many important ballot questions and candidate selections to be decided on Tuesday, March 13 is the election of our town selectmen. Salem is currently at a crossroads on many levels, including infrastructure, business expansion, collective-bargaining and spending limits. Our operating budget has for years now led to the widespread failing of our roads and bridges (obvious to any resident), the salary/financial stagnation of our teachers and school system in general, delays in reviving Rockingham Park as a job creation and revenue source and the sad closings of so many of our small businesses.   

   There is also the ongoing necessity of passing SB2 to eliminate the second deliberative session that follows every election, which can invalidate what we voters have already decided on unless we show up at the meeting days later to defend our votes. Ending this anti-citizen rule requires a 3/5 majority vote, and this is a great chance for us to stop a process that works against our best interests on how we want Salem to look like going forward.

   Of the five prospective selectmen on the ballot, I’m asking voters to give Anthony McKeon and James Keller strong consideration. McKeon is a 16-year Salem resident who currently serves on our Rams football board, previously covering the Salem girls softball board. Discussing the issues with him reveals a strong desire for business attraction, expansion and development on a townwide level, as well as addressing the increasing cost of salary/benefits for our employees without adversely affecting our tax rate. He also supports Phase 2 school renovations, a necessity with five of our eight local public schools rated in "poor" condition, a fact readily visible to attending students and their parents.

   James Keller is an 18-year resident who has been all over the map here in volunteer positions, including stints as soccer and baseball coach, the Salem Economic Action Committee and Salem Capital Improvements Committee. He currently is in his seventh term on the Salem Planning Board. This background demonstrates a wealth of real-world knowledge in budget management, as opposed to neophyte candidates making nice-sounding fiscal promises during an election season. Our town budget is now almost $40 million, proving that we are paying a lot more than what we’re receiving. Keller is in favor of establishing an economic plan that would attach a spending limit to every important town-financed area each year. The limits would be agreed upon and not subject to subsequent overrides, eliminating any tax-increasing "budget surprises" down the road. A structure like this would be an overhead reducer, and would detail for all of us just how many tax dollars are earmarked for everything from schools, road repair, salaries, etc.

   Many Salem citizens feel that we need a new look on our selectman board. Tuesday is our opportunity. Please do your own investigation of the above candidates as well as the other people running for local office. I hope you join with me in voting for Anthony McKeon and James Keller, but make sure to cast your ballots on Tuesday, March 13.