WILMINGTON, MA — Selectman Candidate Kevin Caira was recently asked the following questions by Wilmington Apple — What grade would you give to Town Manager Jeff Hull’s performance? Why? Any areas of improvement? What grade would you give to the current Board of Selectmen’s performance? Why? Any areas of improvement? How do you see yourself fitting in with the current Board?
Below is Caira’s response, in his own words:
It would be presumptuous of me to “grade” Jeff Hull’s performance as Wilmington’s Town Manager. It would also be unfair to subject any employee to an evaluation by a “prospective” employee. What I can tell you is that my interactions with Mr. Hull have always been professional and cordial. As the Vice Chairman of the Yentile Farm Development Committee, I have been in many meetings with Mr. Hull and other members of the Town’s senior staff. I have come away from all of these encounters impressed by their expertise and their commitment and dedication to their jobs.
As a resident of the Town, I have been impressed with the tenor of the Board’s dialogue. They have demonstrated that five individuals with diverse viewpoints can engage in civil discourse. It is important that the Board of Selectmen conduct the Town’s business in a manner that reflects positively on the Town and I believe that this Board has done that.
The success of any Board or Committee is based on each member’s willingness to respect the views and positions of their colleagues. No one person has a monopoly on good ideas. I have served on and chaired dozens of committees over the past three decades. I served four years as President of the largest Italian American organization in the Commonwealth and I am currently President of the Sons of Italy’s National Commission on Social Justice. I know what it takes to forge consensus among people of diverse viewpoints. As a member of the Board of Selectmen I will be tolerant, civil and above all principled. I invite anyone to talk to members of the Sons of Italy, the Yentile Farm Development Committee, the Wildcat Athletic Alumni and Friends Association or any of the many other Wilmington based groups that I have been privileged to serve. I am confident that you will learn that I treat people with respect and that I conduct myself in a way that reflects my upbringing. I intend to be a strong independent voice on the Board of Selectmen which is what we should expect from each of our Selectmen. Residents can be assured that every decision that I make will be what I believe is in the best interest of the Town of Wilmington.
About The Questions
During this local election season, Wilmington Apple will ask a question of all the Selectmen candidates each week. Wilmington Apple will run one response per day, Monday through Thursday, with a recap on Friday. Responses are in the candidates’ own words, unedited. Each candidate is given the same question and the same amount of time (approximately one week) to answer. Order of answers will alternate each week.
About The Election
Four candidates — Greg Bendel, Kevin Caira, Joseph Lavino, and Thomas Miller — will be competing for two open 3-year seats on the Wilmington Board of Selectmen. Longtime incumbents Lou Cimaglia and Mike Newhouse are not seeking re-election. The Town Election will be held on Saturday, April 23. Polls will be open from 8am to 8pm.
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