Candidate Profile: Eric Helmuth, Arlington Select Board

ARLINGTON, MA — Eric Helmuth is one of three candidates running for two open spots on the Select Board April 10. There are contested races for Select Board, Board of Assessors and Housing Authority in the 2021 Town Election.

Arlington Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Helmuth is a current Town Meeting member and chair of Arlington's Community Preservation Act Committee. He faces the incumbent John Hurd and Jennifer Susse.

Helmuth has been a project director for online health programs for 25 years.

Are you running for office in Arlington? Contact Alex Newman at alex.newman@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Arlington Patch.

Eric Helmuth

Age (as of Election Day)

55

Position Sought

Arlington Select Board

Party Affiliation

Democratic

Family

I live with my husband, Jordan Bach

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

M.A. University of Akron in Counseling Psychology

Occupation

Project director for online health programs - 25 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Town Meeting Member and Chair of Arlington's Community Preservation Act Committee (both current).

Campaign website

https://www.ericforselectboard...

Why are you seeking elective office?

My years as a leader in town government have taught me that getting things done means earning trust and building consensus. I’ve earned a reputation as a good listener, a collaborative leader, and a consensus builder. I want to bring these skills and my experience to the Select Board to help Arlington face its challenges and become a better place to live for everyone.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most immediate priority is supporting residents and local businesses in the pandemic. I will ensure that our Health and Human Services department has the necessary resources to keep us as safe as possible and to support the health and mental health of our most vulnerable residents. I will also work closely with the Town Manager and his economic development team to continue to find creative ways to support local businesses. In the early days of the pandemic the town reacted quickly to enable curbside pickup, grocery deliveries, and more. We need to be just as nimble and supportive as our businesses get back on their feet.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Each of the three candidates is qualified and would serve the town well. One of my particular strengths is my skill at bringing people together to solve problems as a team, and I have demonstrated that repeatedly in my years of service in several areas of town government. This is a critical skill set for the Select Board. In addition, my professional background in mental health and social services, communications and technology will inform my priority of making Arlington’s government inclusive, responsive, and caring for the people in our community.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Arlington’s Health and Human Services department and the rest of our town government has done an outstanding job in our local COVID-19 response. Their work shows why local governments are in the best position to manage front-line pandemic response. The state is making a big mistake in not enlisting local health departments in a multifaceted statewide vaccination program. Local officials have significant capacity to get shots into the arms of many residents, especially those who are vulnerable, hesitant or can’t easily get to mass vaccination sites. As a member of the Select Board I will help our town manager and local officials advocate for a more active role for our local health department in the state vaccination program.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We must support residents and local businesses hit hard by the pandemic. Crucial conversations about racial justice and equity must be inclusive and honest — and lead to change. Local action on the climate crisis is imperative. We also need creative solutions for more housing and economic development. I detail these priorities on my website, https://www.ericforselectboard.com.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In my years as a leader in Town Meeting, chair of the Community Preservation Act Committee and a volunteer in other corners of town government I’ve earned a reputation as a doer, good listener and consensus builder. I have learned how our town government works and how to get things done.

I spearheaded electronic voting in Town Meeting, Arlington’s legislative body, first developing broad support to adopt it, then leading the implementation. It made us far more accountable and transparent because residents can now see how each of their representatives voted.

As chair of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee, I’ve led the process of selecting over $13 million in affordable housing, open space, recreation, and historic preservation projects across town, working alongside knowledgeable teammates to earn unanimous support from the Finance Committee, Capital Planning Committee and Select Board — and overwhelming approval from Town Meeting. I’ve succeeded in these and other roles by including all stakeholders, responding to opposition without defensiveness, and welcoming new ideas.