CANDIDATE RESPONSES: Bob Lessler, Selectman

Bob Lessler, a Democrat, is running for selectman. He currently serves as a selectman.

What needs to change in Easton, if anything?

Let’s end one-party control of town government. Truly competitive elections would inspire both political parties to perform better. From 2003 to 2005, when Democrats won several contested seats, great things were accomplished, and both parties worked harder and smarter. Easton was better off for it. Let’s try a Democratic led Board of Selectmen with a Democratic first selectman. Let’s have a balanced Board of Finance and Democratic representation on the Region 9 Board of Education.

What are the two most important issue in town, and why?

First, we need to make smarter spending decisions by 1) reallocating current spending to the right priorities, and 2) investigating cost-savings through operational audits of both the town and school budgets. Second, our leaders must take a public stand on issues and communicate it clearly; not duck from taking positions. I publicly advocated against the disastrous first budget the Republican majority on the Board of Finance tried to ram through. My Republican selectmen colleagues took no position.

What makes you qualified for this position?

I have served the town as a selectman for 10 years and a Board of Finance member for four years. I served on the Keller building committee. I bring to the table the institutional memory for the Board of Selectmen. Furthermore, my roots go back to 1912 when my great grandfather came to Easton to start a farm, which members of my family continue to operate. I know Easton and Easton knows me.

Art Laske, a Democrat, is running for the Board of Finance. He currently is an alternate on the Board of Finance.

Name and explain two ways to improve the town’s finances.

Replace a Republican on the Board of Finance with a Democrat, thereby returning the balance and fairness of three Republican votes and three Democratic votes. This year’s budget process was unresponsive to the concerns of the entire community, particularly the interests of parents of school children, when the four majority Republican votes dictated the end result of the budget process without adequately considering the interests of the entire community. Or secondly, elect a 4-2 Democratic majority.

Do people want more services or lower taxes?

People want an honest budget that reflects the services that the town, its taxpayers and children deserve and want. The disservice of this year’s budget is that the Board of Finance refused to provide sufficient funds to provide extracurricular activities to Keller students, a needed service, therefore requiring those parents who wanted this “bonus” for their children to pay a supplemental tax through their donations for necessary school activities.

What makes me qualified for this position?

Ten years of service on the Board of Finance, an understanding of the needs of taxpayers with children in the Easton school system (I have four kids in our school system), and a commitment to respect the concerns of every taxpayer in our community.

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