ELECTION INFORMATION

To:Stockbridge Friends and Neighbors

These have been seminal, transitional, trying times for everyone. Stockbridge like many communities has faced, and will be facing, changes and challenges. 

As was reported in the Eagle, five weeks ago I stood out by the post office for several hours. In that time 48 of our citizens agreed to sign my nominating papers for Stockbridge Selectman - some were ambivalent but many were very encouraging. I want to thank them all. 

I took out papers because I believed I could offer the kind of strength and leadership Stockbridge needs in this time. I have a sense of duty that cares deeply for our Town and believe local government makes strong communities. While maybe not the best politician, I am a practiced manager, am able to make the tough decisions and will stand up for what I believe is in the best interests of the town and its citizens. Many in Stockbridge know this very well.

Clarence in his 3/17 Eagle article characterized the Stockbridge election as a conflict. From my standpoint that is just wrong. I did not want to run against Chuckie, Deb or anyone else. I wanted to run for Stockbridge. But now recognize it may not be seen like that. 

When Chuckie first considered running for office many years ago he came to my house and I worked with him to help get him elected. In following years I supported him and he supported me. I am sure there are many things we agree on. Should Chuckie win I wish him the best, and offer my experience and service. Should I win I hope he will equally be willing to help. These are tough times, and we need all good citizens to contribute.

There are reasons Stockbridge is the quintessential American small town. And with your help I intend to keep it that way.

For further discussion I defer to my web page: donforstockbridge.godaddysites.com 

I appreciate the endorsement of the Town Democratic Committee and look forward to a strong Election Day turnout. 

Thank you,

Don Chabon

Candidate for Stockbridge Select Board - 2021

Why are you running?

To Serve. To give back to the Town that has given me so much. It is very rewarding to be a part of our community at the governmental level.

Prime Focus:

My prime focus is and always has been to be accessible, approachable, and fair. Make it easier for our community to feel comfortable asking questions and participating in our Town Government. We should all be on a level playing field with a common goal.

What would I like to say?

We have a great Town. It is a wonderful and precious place to live. This requires constant vigilance and care by everyone. We need to manage and care for our Town like the rare Gem that it is. Handle with Care…Be Kind…Be Thoughtful.

Bottom Line...
There is a false narrative that Stockbridge needs development and more tax revenue. 
This is not accurate, and following this line of thought will eventually undo all that our predecessors have done to protectour Town and Community from looking like every place else. I want to keep Stockbridge looking and feeling like it does today.We are lauded by multiple news organizations and magazines for our charm... or the place to visit..... Let's not " Pave our Paradise to put up another Parking Lot..." 

What prompted you to run?

As a lifelong resident of Stockbridge, I've always been interested in what makes the Town work — from our amazing Town Meetings to the constellation of individuals and officials who have made Stockbridge interesting and kept it beautiful through the years. I've tried to make my own contribution through the years — serving on the Land Trust, creating and chairing the Historic Preservation Commission, working with Laurel Hill, the Fountain Committee, the Mahkeenac Boating Club, and the Vestry of St. Paul's Church. I recently spent several years working on our instructive Zoning Bylaw Review Committee

What is your prime focus?

I'd like to see Stockbridge focus on keeping our Town center dynamic. We will do this by supporting housing and economic development initiatives where most appropriate and by protecting our Town's precious rural character.

What would you like to say to the voters?

We've seen a lot of pressure for large scale resort development. I think the most important issue with this is the question of scale. We see where some of our neighboring towns have lost sight of this. I don't believe it's improved their tax base or created affordable housing. 

What would you like to say to voters?

My professional life has been spent reading plans, so I feel well equipped for this work. Bylaw review is important, but the goal here is to maintain the character of the community. Stockbridge has always been a place where people want to visit, work, raise families, and become part of our long and distinguished history. I will work for these priorities. I promise that I will listen closely to the concerns and goals of the wonderful people who live here.

What prompted you to run?

 I feel drawn to run, to end the 43-year term the current position has maintained. I would like to rejuvenate and bring new life to the position of moderator. That all position(s) have term limits...

What is your prime focus?

My primary focus will and is to bring equalitarianism to our Town Meeting's proceedings. That everyone has an equal opportunity to speak and to vote. To provide each person safety, respect and time to ask questions, to be heard.

What would I like to say?

I would like the citizens to know that I believe civic engagement is essential and necessary, and everyone's voice needs to be protected and heard. That every citizen's vote is equal no matter their income, address, education, or age. 

Why are you running? 

I have been Chair of the Board of Health for the last several years and therefore have been at the forefront of several important Board efforts that involve other boards, committees, and groups in town and that continue to be challenging. I am a team player. I think I would be dropping the ball if I quit now.

What is your Prime Focus? 

Obviously, working with the Town Emergency Management team to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic has been top priority, but hopefully, with full vaccine penetration, its importance will subside. Management of the Stockbridge Bowl to prevent another cyanobacterial bloom was the top priority before Covid, and still requires my active participation on the Stockbridge Bowl Stewardship Committee, which has actively begun to study and intervene to promote long-term water quality and watershed security. The recent revelation that mosquito sprays have inadvertently contained long-lasting contaminants has raised a new focus: are we going to let the Mosquito Control Program spray all over town without any formal notification to near-by residents? Are we going to continue to allow them to spend $30,000 of town allocated funds to spray primarily for not for-profit benefit? Are we going to continue to allow the program to use all those funds and NEVER give us an adequate accounting about where the monies went? This issue, like the others, is being actively discussed in cooperation with your Select Board and Town administration. Again, I believe that I should strive for reelection because I would be failing my fellow teammates if I gave up.

What would I like to say?

 I love this Town. I practiced orthopaedic surgery here for 40 years. I raised my family here and they love it. My sons don't live here, but they are close, and they love to come home. Anyone who visits Stockbridge loves it. 

What is your Prime Focus? Why are you running? 

As a Stockbridge native, I enjoy giving back to the Town that I love. From being on the Stockbridge Fire Department for 38 years to over 30 years on the Water/Sewer Committee to more than 20 years as chair. I enjoy working with different committees and also with the new Town Administrator who has been very helpful. 

What is your Prime Focus? 

We are completing several projects including moving the water/sewer pipes from the Curtisville Bridge. The bridge is in terrible condition and the pipes needed to be removed. We also will be relocating the water line in the river at the Tuckerman's bridge. We will take it out and mount it on the side of the bridge. Lastly, we are getting engineering done on the Park Street pump station. We will be replacing this antiquated station. We will continue to work with our forester on forest management around Echo Lake. This has been a project we have been doing for years with the revenue from the logging going into the Town coffers. Thanks. 

What prompted you to run?

I want to help the Town, as my father did it when he was Tree Warden. I have the time, ability, and the knowledge.

What would be your prime focus (or the one thing you would like to accomplish during your term in office)?

Remove bad and dangerous trees, add more variety of trees, ones that can handle climate change.

What would you like to say to voters?

I am open to ideas and will work with everyone. I believe the Town is in good shape, I just want to keep it that way.