WORTHINGTON — Three candidates are seeking a single seat on the Select Board in town elections May 6.

Edward “Ned” Ferguson, Ron Sampson and incumbent Stephen Smith are vying for the position. Each has posted statements on the town website.

Ferguson, a Holyoke native, said he has lived in Worthington since 2016, having moved to town from Washington D.C., where he worked for both the government and private sector as an energy and environment attorney. One of his first jobs there was working as an aide for longtime U.S. Rep. Silvio Conte.

A self-described political moderate, Ferguson said he believes in the importance of fresh voices and perspectives on the Select Board.

He pledges to be responsive as a town official and aims to be an advocate for local business “be they sugarhouses, inns, stores, golf courses, bars and restaurants, jewelers and potters, farms, or veterinary care.”

He said property taxes have risen by more than 65% since 2016, and he believes there are areas where the town can economize.

Sampson, a lifelong resident of Worthington, said he attended the Russell H. Conwell School and bought his parents’ home along with his wife of 41 years, Robin, where they raised their two children, who both still live in town with their families.

Owner of a small family-run logging business and farm, he is a member of the Worthington Congregational Church, and also served in the Air National Guard.

Sampson said his seven grandchildren now attend the local Worthington school.

“I believe reading, writing, and arithmetic should be the main focus of our children’s education,” he said.

A self-described fiscal conservative, he said he understands it takes money to run the town effectively.

“I hope to help make the town a place where my grandchildren can afford to live,” he stated. “I am concerned about overregulation and overtaxation and will bring those concerns with me into office.”

Smith has served on the Select Board for the past six years. He said he has striven to remain mindful of the importance of the democratic process, and cited the debate over broadband, in which voters were presented with three options, as an example.

“Comcast was not the first choice of many, including myself; however, it was the will of the majority and we now are able enjoy the many benefits of townwide, high-speed internet access,” he stated.

If reelected, he hopes to continue working on the proposed Senior and Community Center building project, help the Health Center address chronic staffing issues, and improve public safety services.

Other candidates on the ballot are Gary Ouimet for assessor; Diane Brenner for Board of Health; Mary Orsich for cemetery commissioner; Kate Bavelock for Planning Board (3 years); Anna Maunz for Planning Board (1 year); Ron Sampson for constable; Kevin O’Connor for moderator; Ben Brown for tree warden; and Joseph Boudreau for Finance Committee.

There is no declared candidate for the School Committee, but Ryan Neuhauser has announced a write-in candidacy. Other announced write-in candidates are Gretchen Eliason for second term on the Finance Committee, and Nestor Matthews for the Planning Board, which has a five-year seat open.

Staff Writer James Pentland can be reached at jpentland@gazettenet.com. ]]>