Opening remarks for COA Candidate Night 9/13/07

Opening Statement

I wish to thank Ms. Lopes for hosting this Candidates Night. My name is Greg Stevens and I am running against Wayne Perkins for Selectman. While I respect the years of service Mr. Perkins has given this town, I feel it is time for a change.

I came to Middleboro with my wife Laura and our daughter. Finding a community which would be a good place to raise our family was the top consideration when we were searching for our home. We moved to Middleboro and immediately came to appreciate the people here and the sense of a nice, safe, rural community.

When we had our second daughter the support we received from the community was truly great. The local Mom’s club provided hot meals for a week. When our third daughter was hospitalized for 6 days at 6 weeks old, we received much needed help from our neighbors and our church. We became foster parents because of our strong support and loving community. Laura and I both teach Sunday school to help our children learn what it means to be a part of a community. I coached my oldest daughter in soccer and watched her become involved with dance, ice skating, and school. Laura and I decided this was the place we wanted to stay and go into retirement. Sadly I learned a valuable lesson this past summer, if you don’t get involved in your local government, this can all change rapidly.

I was proud to be a part of the process over the summer but I was astonished at the lack of response the current Board of Selectman gave the people of this town. I witnessed many people being silenced by the gavel and thousands more subjected to extreme heat in a rush to judgment on a proposed casino agreement. Although the events of this summer got me involved in the town, I am running for selectman to bring a better process to our government to the people of this wonderful town.

Over the five years I have lived here and watched my three girls grow, go to school, and attend church, I have realized this is a town worth fighting for and this is why I have decided to run for Selectman. Although I lack the municipal experience Mr. Perkins has, I have worked as a business consultant for five years and regional sales manger for another six years. I have been involved with corporate budgeting, financial planning, and multi-million dollar negotiations. I work to solve corporate problems with clients and consultants. I will bring reasonableness and rational action to our town. I believe I can add many things to our Board of Selectman and would appreciate your support for my bid to be Selectman.

Thank you all for being here tonight.