Seymour kicks off race for Ward 5 seat
By Doug Grindle Community Reporter

Marlborough - The race for the Ward 5 City Council seat in Marlborough is officially open.

Robert Seymour, a current member of the School Committee, kicked off his campaign Feb. 6 at an event at Coral Seafood, where he was introduced by State Rep. Stephen P. LeDuc, D-Marlborough.

The seat is currently vacant because Maura Navin Webster left the post after being re-elected to the seat in November 2007. Shortly after the election, Webster took a job that prohibited her from serving in a public office, so she resigned Jan. 6, before the new council was sworn in.

Webster said she is supporting Seymour's run for her seat.

A special election to fill the seat will be held Tuesday May 6. Friday Feb. 15 is the last day candidates can obtain nomination papers. Tuesday Feb. 19 is the last day candidates can submit papers to the city clerk's office.

Seymour said he is set for several months of campaigning, which will include listening to residents' concerns even as he asks for their votes.

"I think it's about being an advocate to be sure people's concerns are heard," Seymour said.

According to Seymour, revitalization of the city will be

" one of his main priorities. "The focus is the revitalization efforts that have occurred and the future revitalization that will take place," Seymour said.

He noted that revitalization brings empty building lots back to life.

"People don't want to drive through and see these vacant lots," he said. "They want them to be put to use."

In previous years, Seymour was involved in the French Hill Neighborhood Association, which helped promote revitalization.

"They did a lot of work in the community," Seymour said.

Integrating the city's newest residents was one goal of the group that he supported.

"Part of what we tried to do at the time is to try to reach out to immigrants," he said.

In addition, Seymour said he will support efforts to increase law enforcement in the city, with a special emphasis on code enforcement and traffic enforcement.

"People have concerns about traffic," he said. "The potential return of the traffic enforcement team brings music to people's ears, as well as the return of community policing."

Seymour is serving his third year on the School Committee, and that experience would be a useful one for being a city councilor, he said.

"The council operates somewhat differently than the School Committee," he said, "but half of the city's budget is spent on the school district. Having been vice chair for the Finance Subcommittee really gets me involved in that process."

In citywide issues, Seymour said he will work to help move along the wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Those upgrades could cost $70 million or more, and will take over five years to complete. The city is currently looking for state and federal funds to help pay for them.

Seymour said he also supports a mandatory recycling program, even though a mandatory program may not be popular with residents.

"I don't like government telling them they have to do something, but this is one [program] that … absolutely makes sense and there is a direct correlation to the city saving money," Seymour said.