Shrewsbury – Selectmen John Lebeaux and Moira E. Miller have both announced that they are seeking re-election to the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen in the town election which will be held Tuesday, May 3. No other residents took out papers for the two seats that are open on the board in this year’s race.
Here, in their own words, Lebeaux and Miller tell why they are running:
Please tell the readers a little bit about your background.
John Lebeaux – Attended Shrewsbury Schools grades 1-12; Trinity College, Hartford, BA. John and wife, Debbie have three children: Ben, Kate, and Julie, and one grandchild.
General Manager of his family business, Shrewsbury Nurseries, 1983-2009; Town Administrator, Princeton, Mass. 2009-2015; Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, 2015-present.
Town Meeting member, 29 years; former Zoning Board of Appeals member; Selectman since 1998; Sherwood Middle School Building Committee.
Past President Massachusetts Nursery and Landscaping Association; Former member Massachusetts Water Resources Commission and Massachusetts Board of Food and Agriculture (both gubernatorial appointments); Charter Member of the Shrewsbury Farmers Market Steering Committee; Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist.
Moira Miller – I’m active in many civic, school, and church leadership activities in Shrewsbury. I was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2007 and currently serve as the chair. I’m also a Town Meeting member and serve on the Library Building Committee. Prior to being elected a Selectman, I served on the Town’s Fiscal Study Committee and the Commission on Disabilities.
Professionally, I have more than 30 years of business management experience, the past 21 years as a Senior Consultant with Executive Alliance in Marlborough, MA. I’m the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury and was named a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of my community service. My husband Dick and I have been married for 33 years and our daughter Mary is a graduate of Shrewsbury High School.
What is the main reason you want to run for the Board of Selectmen?
Lebeaux – As I’ve said since I first ran for Selectman, the biggest issue before the voters is always that of leadership. I feel I’ve continually demonstrated to the community that I have the judgment, the experience, and the insight to continue to serve on our town’s executive board. I believe I’ve consistently proven that I’m willing to listen to all sides with an open mind before I decide what I believe to be the community’s best interest. If re-elected I plan to continue listening to my fellow townspeople, and doing what I feel is the very best for all of us.
Miller – I’m running for re-election because I truly enjoy serving the community. I want to use my experience and knowledge to ensure that Shrewsbury remains a great place to live, continuing to provide quality services while maintaining financial stability. As our town grows and changes, I’ll continue to be accessible and inclusive in seeking perspective to balance the needs of all residents.
What is the committee or project that you will be most interested in working on and why?
Lebeaux -The project I am most interested in working on is the single most important responsibility a selectman ever has. During the term of both selectmen elected this May, our present Town Manager is planning to retire. Appointing the highest qualified individual as his successor as our chief administrative officer is essential to continue the town’s long standing tradition to offer a very high level of municipal services at a tax burden that compares very favorably to our neighboring and peer communities. My private and public sector experience, particularly my service as a Town Administrator, uniquely qualifies me for this task.
Miller – I’d like to use my extensive Human Resources and municipal government experience to help recruit the next Town Manager to replace Dan Morgado when he retires in 2018. This will be one of the most important tasks for the Board of Selectmen in the next two years. Hiring the “right person” will require an understanding of the Shrewsbury culture and the skills and personal characteristics required for success to meet the current and future needs of our community.
Photos/submitted
