TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury will have five contested races in the April 2 municipal election, including a three-candidate race for two seats on the Select Board.
That seats are currently held by Anne Marie Stronach and Jayne Elizabeth Wellman. Stronach is not running for re-election.
Tewksbury Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.
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Mark Kratman is one of three candidates running for the Select Board, facing Jomarie F. Buckley and incumbent Jayne Wellman.
Kratman is an operations engineer with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Find out what’s happening in Tewksburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Are you running for office in Tewksbury? Contact [email protected] for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Tewksbury Patch.
Previously on Patch: 17 Candidates Filed For Tewksbury’s 2022 Town Election: See Who’s Running
Mark Kratman
Age (as of Election Day)
58
Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable)
Select Board
Family
Son & 2 daughters that all attended the Tewksbury School system.
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
My son Concord Police Department and my brother for Miami Dade Police Department
Education
Attended the Boston Public School system where I lived prior to moving to Tewksbury over 20 years ago to raise my family and continued my education taking numerous engineering studies, AutoCAD, MUTCD, National Highway Institute training in FHWA Highway Program Financing and other associated engineering and business best practice studies. I have over 40 years of work experience finding the solutions to difficult problems and want to help our Town with the difficult issues especially the conditions of local roadways.
Occupation
Operations Engineer for Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
I currently serve on the Tewksbury Council on Aging Board of Directors, President of the Tewksbury/ Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Tewksbury Patriotic Committee that runs and organizes the Memorial Day Parade & 4th of July Ceremony, Tewksbury 9/11 Board of Directors, Executive Vice of SEIU National Association of Government Employee’s, Proud member of the Tewksbury/ Wilmington Elks, The Knights of Columbus, The Lions Club, as well as serving on a non-profit community development Board of Directors in the City of Boston for he that helps seniors stay in the neighborhoods in which they lived and raised their families.
I have also had the pleasure of serving as Chair of the Tewksbury Economic Development Committee, The Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) Board of Directors, Tewksbury Zoning Bylaw Committee and the Tewksbury Beautification Committee.
Campaign website
Why are you seeking elective office?
The number one reason for running to serve on our Select Board is that I like helping people. There is not a week that goes by that I do not receive a call from a resident asking for assistance or guidance on resolving an issue or problem. When making my decision to run for office a big factor was that many residents asked me to please consider it. When residents or business owners have problems or concerns they know that I am always available to take their call and help to find a solution. Tewksbury needs responsive leaders that are willing to listen to all residents’ points of view.
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Water & Sewer Rates, Taxes, Senior Housing and the condition of our roadways and need for additional sidewalks. Roadways are in horrible condition. There is a 7 to 10 year wait for Senior Housing. We have borrowed to build a new High School, Police Station, Library, Center Fire Station and the new Elementary School. It will be very expensive cost to residents just to take down the old Center Fire Station and the 2 old elementary schools. It is time to roll up our sleeves and come up with solutions before we take on any more debt.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I listen to the residents. I hear your frustration and will work harder than anyone to make Tewksbury a Town that we can be proud to call our home. I may not have all the answers but I will not stop working until resident problems are resolved.
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)
Anyone who steps up and runs for office should be applauded. It is not an easy job but I bring energy and experience to the board that is much needed to get thing done.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
I have volunteered on numerous boards, committees and charitable organizations in our Town for the last 20 years. Listening to the people who work the hardest to make positive change is crucial over the next couple of years. We need leaders who have the best interest of the taxpayers. We must stop the spending and get our Water & Sewer rates and taxes under control before we take on additional debt.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Working hard with numerous members of the Board we were able to get 4 sections of Route 38 resurfaced and improved. The 5th section from Old Boston Road to Colonial Drive will begin this spring. I want to finish the job and have the entire length of Route 38 Resurfaced with sidewalks improved or installed before handing it off to the next generation.
The best advice ever shared with me was:
You have 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason. Listen more and talk less.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am running to help all the residents who reached out to me voicing their frustrations. I will always keep the best interest of all Tewksbury resident in mind. We can make a difference by working hard and solving problems. I ask for your Vote on Saturday April 2nd. Thank you, Mark
Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or [email protected]
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