Stoughton Select Board Candidate Profile: David Lurie

STOUGHTON, MA — Stoughton's town election is April 6. Stoughton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

David Lurie is running for a seat on the Select Board. He faces incumbent Steve Cavey, as well as two challengers in Jarred Rose and Scott Carrara.

Are you running for office in Stoughton Contact Jimmy Bentley at jimmy.bentley@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Stoughton Patch.

Learn a little more about Lurie in the profile below:

Age (as of Election Day)

59

Education

BA in Communications, SUNY Oswego

Occupation

Sales 38 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Town Meeting Representative / Finance Committee (Moderator appointment)

Campaign website

www.facebook.com/david.lurie.5...

Why are you seeking elective office?

Control Spending & Debt for affordable place to live; Support School Community; Restore respect for volunteer Committees and Boards
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Wasteful spending. Control budget process and create debt policy guardrails.

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

My candidacy is positioned for the existing people and cultural backgrounds currently living in Stoughton. Fixed income and low income residents will be at the center of all decisions if elected. If you want new revenues to have high impact on projects that also result in lower cost of living, voting for me is best path forward.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Current Select Board meddles with the process of other stakeholders and lacks respect of other committees and boards. Current Select Board leans toward higher spending without controlling budget. Capital projects are not planned for affordability while designing new buildings. The Town bites off too much and projects are stacked for too much debt.

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

Stoughton did a great job in the early stages of pandemic. Communication to residents and businesses were clear resulting in limited cases. Lack of leadership on the budget kept growth in budget status quo instead of flat at 2020 levels. Town Hall could have opened earlier for municipal business and public meetings to achieve better governing. Stoughton Schools are the leaders on how to open up during this pandemic and Town should follow as soon as possible.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Support for rezoning the new Stoughton Center District. Find best programming for Randolph Savings building and Railroad Station.

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

Chairman of local Pack 24 Cub Scouts and Popcorn Kernel in Troop 516. Stoughton Finance Committee member and elected Secretary for 2 year term. Director of Operations for Performance Studio (New Haven non-profit 1986-1987)

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always keep best interest of all Stoughton citizens at the heart of all decisions. Special interests have a place to influence Town objectives, just not at the detriment of others.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I take Stoughton Charter seriously and intend to follow Select board duties and responsibilities fully. Appointments will be made quickly as openings needs to be filled. I am very flexible and generous to office holders that build on strengths and look to improve on weaknesses.