NEWBURY — Local voters will have an opportunity to hear from the two candidates running for a seat on the town’s Select Board next month when the Newbury Council on Aging and The Daily News host a forum at the Kent Way town offices.
Incumbent Dana Packer and Finance Committee member Patrick Heffernan are vying for a seat in Newbury’s only contested election on Tuesday, May 13.
The forum, scheduled for Monday, May 5, at 12:30 p.m. in the second-floor hearing room, was described by Newbury COA Director Cindy Currier as “one more tool in the toolbox to let people know who wants to help run the town.”
The event is open to the public and will be moderated by Daily News editor Dave Rogers. While the public will not be permitted to speak or ask questions during the event, interested voters may submit questions in advance to The Daily News.
In his role as moderator, Rogers will ask questions he has crafted or ones that have been submitted, and will act as the final authority in resolving any issues that may arise during the forum. Candidates will not be privy to questions in advance.
For those unable to attend in person, the forum will be recorded and shown on Channel 9, the local cable access channel, and on the town’s YouTube channel.
Packer is a Newbury native with a long career as a pilot and flight instructor. Now retired, Packer also serves on the Eastern Essex Veterans Association board of firectors. Packer and his wife raised three children in Newbury who all graduated from Triton schools.
Packer describes his priorities in his role as Select Board member as “public safety, education, and level services, in that order.”
He believes a proposed tax override is “probably the biggest issue” facing the town, and feels that the board has been effective in “addressing issues and getting messaging out to the public about what their options may be.” Packer sees himself as a spokesperson for town residents, and believes his greatest contribution to the board has been his determination to have “open deliberation and debate and to encourage citizen participation.”
Heffernan moved to Newbury in 2007 and describes himself as “an analyst by profession, a diplomat by training, and a coach by nature.”
“I want to make sure our town stays committed to public education. It’s my number one reason for running,” Heffernan said.
Heffernan and his wife have three children who attended the local public schools, and he feels Newbury will face significant budget challenges related to the school system and the repair/rebuilding of school structures.
As a former diplomat and current business analyst, Heffernan says his work has taught him how to “respect everyone’s opinion, be open to admitting when I’m wrong and changing my mind, and get things done.”
He praised the town’s leadership and adds he’s not looking to be a change agent.
“I want to learn from people who’ve done the job well.”
Heffernan looks forward to participating in the forum and providing voters with the opportunity to get to know him and understand how he and his opponent differ.
Rogers described the forums in general as an important way of getting to know candidates for any elected office before Election Day.
“I’m honored to help facilitate the process,” Rogers said.