Dartmouth's town election is April 2. Here's what to know about the candidates.
DARTMOUTH — Two of the town's prominent decision-making bodies are set for some change this upcoming April 2 election, as voters ready to pick between new Select Board and School Committee candidates to replace members of those boards not seeking re-election this year.
For Select Board, the contest for one three-year term will be between candidates John V. Sousa and Christopher J. O’Neil, with the winner to replace Selectman Frank S. Gracie, III, who is not running to retain his seat.
In a separate race for a one-year term, Select Board member David Tatelbaum is running for re-election unopposed.
In the running to replace School Committee incumbent Dr. Shannon Jenkins are candidates Kyle Ross and Mary Beckwith.
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The following profiles are based on candidates' responses to a "candidates' profile" questionnaire, or arranged using material taken from prepared candidate statements.
Note: Responses have been abbreviated for formatting purposes.
Select Board: Christopher J. O'Neil
How long have you lived in Dartmouth?: "In 1997 my wife Kristine and I built our home on Bakerville."
Occupation/former occupation?: "In 1987 I attained my insurance brokers license and began to work with my brother and father to grow the business."
Why have you decided to run for election this year?: "I view running and being elected to the Select Board as an extension of my Community Work. I’d love the opportunity to help preserve the character of Dartmouth, to make sure that our thriving town continues to have our school system a major point of pride and our first responders continue to be held in the highest regard. That we continue to look for slow, smart growth and a steady tax base to buoy our property values and to keep pressure on spending, taxes and fees paid by all residents and businesses in town. Lastly I’ll work with all town boards and the administration to help make sure that our employees are heard and our services are streamlined and always customer centric."
What do you feel you have to offer in the position you're running for?: "I’ve served on various boards such as the Chamber of Commerce, was vice chair of the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board and served as President of the Greater New Bedford Independent Insurance Agents Association for many years," O'Neil shared in a candidate statement.
O'Neil noted his current service as a Planning Board member since 2020, also mentioning he's served on the town's Charter Review Committee and as a SRPEDD commissioner. He also mentioned involvement in philanthropy, including his family's own Thomas and Catherine O’Neil Charitable Foundation.
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Select Board: John V. Sousa
How long have you lived in Dartmouth?: Lifelong resident.
Occupation/former occupation?: "I am currently retired but worked for over 40 years in management positions for the electric utility industry in the engineering & construction field."
Why have you decided to run for election this year?: In a candidate statement, Sousa named some areas of concern to him, including the "looming budget shortfall," "a need for improved access to all town departments as well as improved customer service," and advocating employee retainment "by providing a package of wages and benefits that is both fair and competitive when compared to other similar communities." "At the same time, I am committed to finding workable solutions that minimize the impact on taxpayers," Sousa wrote. "These issues and many others facing the Town require individuals who truly listen and who are willing to genuinely work together to find solutions. I promise to be one of those individuals."
What do you feel you have to offer in the position you're running for?: As outlined in his statement, Sousa is a current Finance Committee, Community Preservation Committee member (18 years), Fire District #2 Prudential Committee and an active Town Meeting member for over 45 years. His past service includes 27 years on the Planning Board, five years on the Soils Board, " as well as numerous subcommittees such as the Master Plan Committee and the Open Space Committee." "This broad experience has allowed me to gain a well-rounded understanding of the problems facing the Town," he wrote. "I feel that the most valuable qualities that I can bring to the Select Board are common sense, integrity, objectivity, and a detailed knowledge of the Town and its inner workings."
School Committee: Kyle Ross
How long have you lived in Dartmouth?: "My wife and I moved here in 2011 with our three children."
Occupation/former occupation?: "I worked in the public safety sector for 10 years in the field of corrections, six of those in a supervisory role."
Why have you decided to run for election this year?: "Over the last few years, I talked to lot of parents who feel they don't have a voice. Through COVID, when we went through logo debate and things like that, and even with the day-to-day things that come up, some people have felt like they weren't able to deal with the schools and administrators effectively, so I think it's important for School Committee members to have children in the system because you see these things yourself," Ross said. Ross also shared that he had formerly run for School Committee in 2016.
What do you feel you have to offer in the position you're running for?: "I've always had a passion to be involved with town government. I've been on the Conservation Commission since 2013," Ross said, noting having served as that body's vice chair and conservation rep. "I have a bachelor's and master's in management science. I also believe my work in the field of corrections has given me an eye-opening level of empathy for people that have some difficult backgrounds, and family lives, people in tough situations.
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Ross also noted having a son with down syndrome, adding "I think with my experience fighting for him, I could be a strong advocate for kids in the special needs area, as well as all kids."
School Committee: Mary Beckwith
How long have you lived in Dartmouth?: "My wife, Jill, and I moved here in 2002 from Weymouth."
Occupation/former occupation?: "I have worked in higher education for 40 years, primarily in the field of Student Affairs including Housing and Residential Education, New Student Orientation, Student Conduct and Dispute Resolution and as Associate Dean of Students. I have been working at UMass Dartmouth for almost 19 years and in the last 4 years, I have been Title IX Investigator/Compliance Coordinator in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at UMass Dartmouth," Beckwith wrote, noting current job duties include investigating alleged sexual misconduct and discrimination, providing student pregnancy accommodations, trainings, and presentations.
Why have you decided to run for election this year?: "I have come to love the Dartmouth community and have done some volunteering mainly related to our son. I became a Town Meeting member last year. I want to make more of a commitment of service to our community. I know it's a time where local officials in other parts of the U.S. have faced harassment and threats and if I expect others to serve, I must be willing to serve myself. In addition, with my change of jobs four years ago, I find for the first time in my professional life that my work day is more predictable than it ever has been."
What do you feel you have to offer in the position you're running for?: Beckwith responded, in part: "I am a lifelong educator of approximately 40 years and so I believe I can make my best contributions as a school committee member. While I haven't worked in K-12, I understand educational institutions and the philosophies and theories of education. I have taught at the college level and know what it is like to plan classes, design assignments, and grade appropriately." Beckwith went on to outline more aspects of her background in education, such as student interventions and senior administrative team experience.
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Other contests
In other contests: on the Board of Assessors, candidate Albert Lay is challenging incumbent for reelection Curtis Nunes; and for the Board of Library Trustees, candidates Mary Anne Cole, Maya Anne Matthy Wolfson and current Trustee Linda M. Garibaldi are vying for one three-year term.
More election info
Dartmouth's Annual Town Election is Tuesday, April 2. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Visit the town website at www.town.dartmouth.ma.us for poll locations and more info.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Dartmouth voters will select new leadership at April 2 election
