2012 Profiles Of Candidates For Selectman

[ratings]

A single seat on the five-member Board of Selectmen is the only office that has attracted multiple candidates in this spring’s town election on May 22.

Two candidates seeking to take the chair for three years are political newcomers to Groton. Eric Garger, 47, has never held political office and did not list any volunteer offices on the questionnaire he filled out for The Groton Line; he is a state food and drug inspector. Jack Petropoulos,54, is chairing the Central Fire Station Building Committee in Groton, and has held positions on conservation commission and open space planning committees in other towns before he moved to Groton. He is a software product manager and has 15 years experience as a manager of non-profit human services programs.

The third candidate is veteran Bob Hargraves, 75, has been a member of the town Finance Committee since he retired as state representative in 2010. That year he ran for selectman, but lost. Hargraves has been a selectman before, has served as moderator, and has also been involved in the school system both as an employee and as a school committee member.

The seat is open because three-term Selectman Fran Dillon is retiring.

	Erich Garger	Robert S. Hargraves	Jack (John) Petropoulos
Address	46 Redskin Trail	21 Temple Drive	18 Kemp Street
Phone	(978) 449-7802	(978) 448-5456	(978) 448-4306
E-mail	[email protected]	[email protected]	[email protected]
Web site URL		http://www.repbobhargraves.com	http://www.jackpetropoulos.com/
Photo	Eric Garger	Robert Hargraves	Jack Petropolous
Birthday	March 29, 1965	October 14, 1936	November 19, 1957
When did you take up residence in Groton? (Aproximately)	October 1, 1997	August 20, 1962	July 22, 2005
Party affiliation	Undeclared	Republican Party	Undeclared

	Erich Garger	Robert S. Hargraves	Jack (John) Petropoulos
Academic degrees / training	Culinary Institute Of America Associates Culinary Arts University of New Hampshire 1994 Bachelor of Science Nutrition Registered Dietitian 1994 UMass Lowell 2002 Licensed Culinary Arts Instructor	B.S. University of Maine : Mathematics/Education M.Ed. Fitchburg State University : Supervision and Administration C.A.G.S Boston University : School Administration Four National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships in Mathematics at Oberlin College,Boston University, and College of The Holy Cross	MBA, Northeastern University BA, Hobart College
What is your day job or vocation(s)?	Food and Drug Inspector State of MA	Retired	Product Manager
Family information — married, divorced, number of kids, etc.	Married 2 Daughters Brooke 25 Abby 23	Married to Ellen Two daughters and one son. Six granddaughters and three grandsons	Married 2 Children 19 and 17
Please outline your experience in the public sector or community service, including elective or appointed offices.	I Currently work for the state of MA. I have no political experience	Teacher of Mathematics Groton H.S. Nashoba Valley Tech Planning and first school committee Town of Groton Moderator Groton Selectman State Representative Groton Finance Committee Several Principalships outside of Groton-go on www.repbobhargraves.com	Chair, Center Fire Station Building Committee, Groton MA Chair, Open Space Planning Committee, Hopkinton MA Member, Conservation Commission Medway MA 12 years of Software Product Management experience. 15 years managing non-profit human service programs, administering state federal and private funds in the delivery of services.
What personal quality do you think is your strongest asset?	Common Sense!	Demonstrated leadership and integrity at the local, state, and personal level.	Listening
Why did you decide to run for this office?	We need fresh ideas in Town Hall, not the same old politics!	I know that I have a lot to offer the people of Groton through my experience as a state representative (the ins and outs of state government),selectman, teacher, and school administrator. I also have the time since I am now retired. I do know what position of selectman entails, and it can be quite taxing on your time.	I was one of those that questioned the way the Sacred Heart Fire Station proposal was being put forward, and contributed to the defeat of the Article last fall. I also believed that it is insufficient to simply complain. When the article was defeated I offered to help if a new initiative was started. I was asked to participate in the recent initiative to site and design a new Fire Station. I was flattered and thought I could make a difference. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Dillon announced that he was not going to run for reelection, and I felt that there could be an opportunity for even greater participation so I determined to explore running for the position and I began collecting signatures. The work on the Fire Station Building Committee exposed me to a great deal of the workings of the town. I found that I could contribute, and decided that I would like to extend that contribution by seeking the office of Selectman. After assuring myself that I could devote the time to do a good job if elected, I turned in my nomination papers and am now seeking the position.

	Erich Garger	Robert S. Hargraves	Jack (John) Petropoulos
What is the single most important issue facing the town or district and how would you address it from this position?	Infrastructure such a sewer, town water and to maintain/improve our roads. We need to get a solid long term plan in place.	The most significant issue facing the town is for the selectmen to stay focused and move forward.	I think that a series of issues has caused many in Groton to be concerned about the way the Town is being run. In fact I believe that there is a lot that is being run exceptionally well. But as with any working organization things can always be improved and there will always be some issues that can, at times, overshadow all the good that is being done. I believe that I can contribute to the effectiveness of our Town’s leadership and to the faith that residents have in it. I do not bring an agenda of any kind. Rather I bring an approach that has served me well as a Product Manager and as Chair of the Center Fire Station Building Committee. It is one of listening, working with others to set objectives based on what I have heard and on their inputs, building a strategy to achieve those objectives, and working as a team to achieve them.
Do you think that either the office of Town Manager and its power, or Town Manager Mark Haddad, is an election issue this spring? Why or why not?	It shouldn’t be but i’m sure it will. He upset a lot of people with his behavior. It’s to bad that the selectman didn’t do a better background check before they hired him. From what I have read, he has been accused of this type of behavior before.	It will be if you wish it to be. Lets move on! The Board of Selectmen employed the services of a Private Investigator to investigate this case. The report of the ivestigator, and the minutes of the executive session discussion have been made public. Based on this report and the related discussion the Board found that it did not rise to the level of termination. Let’s move forward.	Neither the role, nor the current manager should be an issue. The entire Charter, including the role of Town Manager should be reviewed, as provided for in the Charter itself. It should be independent of the individual who is occupying the position at the time, or those who have occupied it in the past. The current Town Manager is directly accountable to the current Board of Selectmen. They have dealt with all the outstanding issues. In my opinion they have done a good job with this. Any future issues involving the current Town Manager are, today, unforeseen and therefore are not an issue for this election.

Erich Garger

Robert S. Hargraves

Jack (John) Petropoulos

What is the single most important issue facing the town or district and how would you address it from this position?

Infrastructure such a sewer, town water and to maintain/improve our roads. We need to get a solid long term plan in place.

The most significant issue facing the town is for the selectmen to stay focused and move forward.

I think that a series of issues has caused many in Groton to be concerned about the way the Town is being run. In fact I believe that there is a lot that is being run exceptionally well. But as with any working organization things can always be improved and there will always be some issues that can, at times, overshadow all the good that is being done.

I believe that I can contribute to the effectiveness of our Town’s leadership and to the faith that residents have in it. I do not bring an agenda of any kind. Rather I bring an approach that has served me well as a Product Manager and as Chair of the Center Fire Station Building Committee. It is one of listening, working with others to set objectives based on what I have heard and on their inputs, building a strategy to achieve those objectives, and working as a team to achieve them.

Do you think that either the office of Town Manager and its power, or Town Manager Mark Haddad, is an election issue this spring? Why or why not?

It shouldn’t be but i’m sure it will. He upset a lot of people with his behavior. It’s to bad that the selectman didn’t do a better background check before they hired him. From what I have read, he has been accused of this type of behavior before.

It will be if you wish it to be. Lets move on! The Board of Selectmen employed the services of a Private Investigator to investigate this case. The report of the ivestigator, and the minutes of the executive session discussion have been made public. Based on this report and the related discussion the Board found that it did not rise to the level of termination. Let’s move forward.

Neither the role, nor the current manager should be an issue.

The entire Charter, including the role of Town Manager should be reviewed, as provided for in the Charter itself. It should be independent of the individual who is occupying the position at the time, or those who have occupied it in the past.

The current Town Manager is directly accountable to the current Board of Selectmen. They have dealt with all the outstanding issues. In my opinion they have done a good job with this. Any future issues involving the current Town Manager are, today, unforeseen and therefore are not an issue for this election.

	Erich Garger	Robert S. Hargraves	Jack (John) Petropoulos
What other issues are important and how would you address them?	Taxes – High property taxes are forcing people out of town. Is everyone paying there fair share including places like the Groton School and Lawrence Academy? I know that they are non-profits but they still utilize town services. We need to look at the whole picture to see if money is being wasted and to maximize the tax base. We need to develop a program for seniors who are being forced out of there homes because they can’t afford to pay there property tax. Lost Lake needs to be dealt with, sooner rather than later. The lake is slowly dying and the weeds get worse every year due to the failing septic systems on the lake.	The Fire Department has done a good job preparing the people for the need of a new fire station. They continue to do yeomans’ work and this does not go unnoticed. The location of a new facility is currently being studied, and they are down to three choices. The jury, however, is still out. The Prescott School Re-use Committee is in the process of presenting their recommendations, and I anxiously await their decision(s).	I will start by saying that I do not have all of the answers. It is all too easy to sit here and presume that specific issues have been ignored or poorly managed, and that my simple ideas are all that is needed to make a difference. It will take time, and lots of listening before I can be effective. But for the sake of providing the kind of ideas that I have, and how I think, I will provide the following: The Conservation Commission, on occasion, finds itself in a position where everyone loses, lacking the definition of terms, or the scientific expertise to execute their complex charge. The Commissioners are clearly passionate about their responsibilities, and are willing to endure stressful conditions in order to execute their responsibility as they see it. We are lucky to have such commitment and need to find ways to provide them with the support, the guidance and the resources to do their jobs effectively. I would work to reinforce the appreciation of their contribution, and to bring the required definition and expertise to bear to help them to do their jobs with qualified objectivity. Business owners in Groton have told me that they do not feel supported by the Town. Though I hear repeatedly from Town officials that enormous efforts are being made to help local business, the fact remains that many business owners feel otherwise. If nothing else, when times are difficult, it is important for business owners to feel that they have an ally at Town Hall. I believe that there are some simple ways for the Selectmen to recognize and promote local business. As an example, the Board has a practice of assigning a liaison to the various Boards and Committees. I would like to see a similar practice for local businesses. One Selectman should be responsible for visiting a business every week and returning to the next Board meeting, accompanied by the owner if they like, with feedback from their visit. The exposure to the public would benefit the business; and the ability for the Board to regularly hear the issues that local businesses face, would drive home the importance of these issues and would make creativity and action more likely.

Erich Garger

Robert S. Hargraves

Jack (John) Petropoulos

What other issues are important and how would you address them?

Taxes – High property taxes are forcing people out of town. Is everyone paying there fair share including places like the Groton School and Lawrence Academy? I know that they are non-profits but they still utilize town services. We need to look at the whole picture to see if money is being wasted and to maximize the tax base. We need to develop a program for seniors who are being forced out of there homes because they can’t afford to pay there property tax.

Lost Lake needs to be dealt with, sooner rather than later. The lake is slowly dying and the weeds get worse every year due to the failing septic systems on the lake.

The Fire Department has done a good job preparing the people for the need of a new fire station. They continue to do yeomans’ work and this does not go unnoticed. The location of a new facility is currently being studied, and they are down to three choices. The jury, however, is still out.

The Prescott School Re-use Committee is in the process of presenting their recommendations, and I anxiously await their decision(s).

I will start by saying that I do not have all of the answers. It is all too easy to sit here and presume that specific issues have been ignored or poorly managed, and that my simple ideas are all that is needed to make a difference. It will take time, and lots of listening before I can be effective. But for the sake of providing the kind of ideas that I have, and how I think, I will provide the following:

The Conservation Commission, on occasion, finds itself in a position where everyone loses, lacking the definition of terms, or the scientific expertise to execute their complex charge. The Commissioners are clearly passionate about their responsibilities, and are willing to endure stressful conditions in order to execute their responsibility as they see it. We are lucky to have such commitment and need to find ways to provide them with the support, the guidance and the resources to do their jobs effectively. I would work to reinforce the appreciation of their contribution, and to bring the required definition and expertise to bear to help them to do their jobs with qualified objectivity.

Business owners in Groton have told me that they do not feel supported by the Town. Though I hear repeatedly from Town officials that enormous efforts are being made to help local business, the fact remains that many business owners feel otherwise. If nothing else, when times are difficult, it is important for business owners to feel that they have an ally at Town Hall.

I believe that there are some simple ways for the Selectmen to recognize and promote local business. As an example, the Board has a practice of assigning a liaison to the various Boards and Committees. I would like to see a similar practice for local businesses. One Selectman should be responsible for visiting a business every week and returning to the next Board meeting, accompanied by the owner if they like, with feedback from their visit. The exposure to the public would benefit the business; and the ability for the Board to regularly hear the issues that local businesses face, would drive home the importance of these issues and would make creativity and action more likely.

	Erich Garger	Robert S. Hargraves	Jack (John) Petropoulos
You are running for an office left vacant by Selectman Fran Dillon’s retirement, so there is no incumbent. How would you compare and contrast your approach either to Mr. Dillon’s or to the other candidates?	I don’t know Fran Dillon our any of the other candidates. I think of myself as an honest hard working person. I think we need these kind of people in town government and less politicians.	My approach is and will continue to be, a voice of reason. Mr. Dillon exemplifies the voice of reason. As far as the other two candidates, I choose to let the voters decide.	While I would like to claim that I can replace Fran Dillon’s contribution to the Board, I will humbly admit that I am no Fran Dillon. His calm and considered approach, his financial expertise, and the trust that he has earned over time, have made him a stable and respected member of the Board, and in many ways have served to define the role. I would like to think that I can bring some of his ability to hear all sides and to not rush to judgment. I know that over time I can develop the reputation for informed and thoughtful leadership that Fran has earned. There is a clear comparison between Mr. Hargraves and me. I do not have his tenure in town, as a politician or as an educational administrator. There is value in Bob’s history here, and in his experience in other roles. Those who have worked with him in teams can best speak to his approach. I on the other hand, bring a perspective that is not constrained by local history and is formed by the rigors of the business sector and the need to work in teams with the accountability that business rigor requires. While I appreciate and seek to understand local history, I know that there are new challenges to face and new ways of meeting them. I bring a passion and an energy to push through issues with a combination of logic and process management that has made me successful as a software product manager in one of America’s largest companies. My approach would be to provide pragmatic oversight, build consensus, and to build a reputation for accountability in all that I do.
What else would you tell Groton voters?	The only reason why im doing this is to improve the town of Groton and continue to make it a great place to live. I have no political aspirations or motives. My motto is “No Political Experience, Just Common Sense!”	On May 22nd, I humbly ask for you vote.	A well selected and well run group will always make the right decisions. When you choose your next Selectman, be sure to think about your vote in terms of the Board that it will create, and the expectations that you have of them. Vote on May 22. Thank you, Jack Petropoulos

Erich Garger

Robert S. Hargraves

Jack (John) Petropoulos

You are running for an office left vacant by Selectman Fran Dillon’s retirement, so there is no incumbent.

How would you compare and contrast your approach either to Mr. Dillon’s or to the other candidates?

I don’t know Fran Dillon our any of the other candidates. I think of myself as an honest hard working person. I think we need these kind of people in town government and less politicians.

My approach is and will continue to be, a voice of reason. Mr. Dillon exemplifies the voice of reason.

As far as the other two candidates, I choose to let the voters decide.

While I would like to claim that I can replace Fran Dillon’s contribution to the Board, I will humbly admit that I am no Fran Dillon. His calm and considered approach, his financial expertise, and the trust that he has earned over time, have made him a stable and respected member of the Board, and in many ways have served to define the role.

I would like to think that I can bring some of his ability to hear all sides and to not rush to judgment. I know that over time I can develop the reputation for informed and thoughtful leadership that Fran has earned.

There is a clear comparison between Mr. Hargraves and me. I do not have his tenure in town, as a politician or as an educational administrator. There is value in Bob’s history here, and in his experience in other roles. Those who have worked with him in teams can best speak to his approach. I on the other hand, bring a perspective that is not constrained by local history and is formed by the rigors of the business sector and the need to work in teams with the accountability that business rigor requires. While I appreciate and seek to understand local history, I know that there are new challenges to face and new ways of meeting them. I bring a passion and an energy to push through issues with a combination of logic and process management that has made me successful as a software product manager in one of America’s largest companies. My approach would be to provide pragmatic oversight, build consensus, and to build a reputation for accountability in all that I do.

What else would you tell Groton voters?

The only reason why im doing this is to improve the town of Groton and continue to make it a great place to live. I have no political aspirations or motives. My motto is “No Political Experience, Just Common Sense!”

On May 22nd, I humbly ask for you vote.

A well selected and well run group will always make the right decisions. When you choose your next Selectman, be sure to think about your vote in terms of the Board that it will create, and the expectations that you have of them.

Vote on May 22.

Thank you,

Jack Petropoulos

Share this:

Profile cancel