Councilor-At-Large Candidates Speak Out

Tuesday, Nov. 1 is Election Day in Marlborough. Patch contacted the eight candidates running for the four available Councilor-at-Large seats for interviews as the Election Day draws near.

Six opponents are challenging incumbents Michael Ossing and Patricia Pope in the election: Paul Brodeur, Joseph Collins, Mark Evangelous, Aaron Ferrecchia, Mark Oram and Kathleen Robey. 

This election is Brodeur’s third run for Council, having run for Ward Councilor in two previous elections. If elected, Brodeur claims his top priority will be boosting the economy by “supporting all sensible initiatives to provide jobs in every sector, and to use Marlborough’s impressive history to increase visitors and to invite the existing visitors at our hotels to the rest of the city.”

Brodeur added, “I’m most qualified because I have the education (including a masters in Psychology), an extensive knowledge of Marlborough’s history (a Trustee of ), and an extensive knowledge of Marlborough’s geography and the concerns of its seniors as a driver for the Senior and Disabled Bus Service. I’ve also conducted a zero dollar campaign to avoid any semblance of corruption.”

If elected, Evangelous claims he will focus on business and economic development and creating jobs by rolling back permitting fees and lowering regulations that are hidden taxes deterring businesses. “We have to help businesses because they are the engines of economic prosperity,” noted Evangelous.

Owner of Gemini Signs for 31 years, Evangelous explained, “I know the business sector, know the residents and have the business knowledge. This is why I stand out among the candidates.” Evangelous was previously Ward 5 Councilor for eight years.

Ferrecchia noted, “I am a young candidate and will not be beholden to any partisan groups nor subgroups within the Council. I am a business owner, as I run my own law practice, and plan on bringing the skills and knowledge that come with being an attorney to the Council, as well as my experience related to the challenges that face all business owners and self-employed residents.”

Ferrecchia claims he will work with businesses to stay open, will oppose policies that would overburden local businesses, and reach out to commercial property owners to “facilitate the development of new businesses.”  

Referring to his 11 years as Ward 6 Councilor, Oram said, “I’m a stakeholder in our community who has been in public service and understands the needs of the residents and the community.”

If elected, Oram said “I will bring my administrative and leadership skills to the council for the many priorities that face our city.”

Robey previously sat on Marlborough School Committee for 16 years and noted that governing is not a business. “As the only school committee member running for a council seat, my experiences and perspective make me the most qualified candidate as they are very much in line with those of an At-Large Councilor,” said Robey.

Robey claims her top priority will be “balancing the need of homeowners for a stable tax rate against continually increasing city budgets.” To attract new businesses, Robey will “advocate for a streamlined special permitting process so that we have one set of rules that everyone must follow rather than arbitrary decisions for each request.”

Collins and incumbents Ossing and Pope were unable to be reached for comment at time of publication.

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