Republican nominee Robert Russell will face off against Democratic nominee Russell Mitchell for a seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Russell Mitchell, left, and Robert Russell are competing for a seat on the Wilbraham Board of Selectmen.WILBRAHAM — For a seat on the Board of Selectmen Republican nominee Robert Russell will face off against Democratic nominee Russell Mitchell in the May 19 annual town election.
Voting is Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Voters in Precincts A and C vote at Wilbraham Middle School at 466 Stony Hill Road and voters in Precincts B and D vote at Soule Road School at 300 Soule Road.
For School Committee there are four candidates seeking two positions.
They are Republican Town Committee-endorsed Marc E. Ducey, a member of the Finance Committee, and Michelle Emirzian, a Springfield teacher.
Also on the ballot are Democratic incumbent Gilles Turcotte and James Wilkinson, who is running without the endorsement of a Town Committee.
Russell, who grew up in town, said that serving on the Finance Committee has given him the opportunity to have “a thorough understanding of all town departments and a relationship with many people who make it work.”
“I believe the town is first and foremost a community and that people of good will and a sense of responsibility can make sound fiscal and fair decisions,” Russell said.
Mitchell, who said he plans to retire in 18 months from the Fire Department, said he would like “to give back to the community.” He said he has experience doing budgeting for the repair division of the Fire Department.
Mitchell led a critical incident stress debriefing team of firefighters who went to New York City following the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. He also did stress debriefing after the Worcester warehouse fire which killed six people.
Mitchell said he is currently serving as the potentate, or CEO, of the Melha Shriners.
Ducey, a member of the Finance Committee, said that if he wins election to the School Committee he will provide more accountability to children, parents and voters.
“There is opportunity for improvement,” Ducey said.
At a candidates forum sponsored by the Friends of the Wilbraham Seniors, Ducey said that School Committee members have a responsibility “to the kids, the parents and the taxpayers.”
Emirzian, a writing teacher at Homer Street Elementary School in Springfield, said she favors giving children the best education possible while being fiscally responsible. Emirzian said that if she is elected she will strive to deliver a high quality education with a focus on reading, writing, math, science, technology and social studies, but balanced with fiscal responsibility.
Emirzian said that issues which affect children and the town should be openly discussed at School Committee meetings.
Emirzian beat out Wilkinson for the Republican nomination. Wilkinson, a marketing and economics professor at Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, submitted the signatures of enough registered voters to get his name on the ballot.
Wilkinson said school officials should make use of social media to reach out to parents and get them involved in their children’s education.
Turcotte said he has worked with senior citizens and the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative. As a member of the School Committee he said he has worked on evaluations for school principals and the school superintendent.
Also on the town election ballot there is a race for Planning Board where Dean Stroshine, a candidate for re-election, is running against David Sanders, Republican Caucus nominee.
Sanders said he is concerned that implementing a comprehensive master plan for the community would “take away local control.
Stroshine has the support of longtime Planning Board members Richard Butler and Frederic Fuller.