Keith M. Saxon, Andover Moderator Candidate

Keith M. Saxon

Age (as of Election Day)

50

Position sought (including ward or district number if applicable)

Moderator

Party Affiliation

Local elections in Andover are non-partisan. I am registered as a Republican.

Family

Wife and Daughter in High School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS Civil Engineering w/Environmental Emphasis from Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Occupation

25+ years in Environmental Health & Safety compliance.
Currently Senior Manager - EHS & Facilities.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Greater Lawrence Technical School Improvement Council (current); previously elected Representative Town Meeting member, previously appointed Conservation Commissioner, Recycling/Solid Waste Advisory committee member, and Storm Water committee member

Campaign website

www.saxonformoderator.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

To make improvements to Town Meeting and the Finance Committee appointment process

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

Lack of a complete and established model set of rules for the conduct of Town Meeting. Too much is left at discretion of Moderator meaning that ALL citizens are not on equal footing or fully equipped when they try to participate and exercise their rights at the meeting. My intent would be to establish Town Meeting Time as the model set of rules, conduct & tape a Town Meeting 101 training prior to the meeting as well as provide a summary at the meeting, and most importantly ensure that all rules are applied equally & impartially to all participants including allowed speaking time with clearly displayed digital timer.

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

I have participated in and experienced Town Meeting (both open & representative) in several MA towns thus can bring a diverse and different perspective including most importantly several best practices. Further I have also submitted multiple articles to the Andover Town Meeting and have spoken (or attempted to speak) on many others. I understand first hand the current issues & barriers to full citizen participation & empowerment and how to address them to make Town Meeting better for ALL citizens. Most importantly I am open to putting energy into making improvements instead of defending the status quo.

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

The current Moderator has not fully empowered citizens to execute their rights & roles as citizen legislators. For example at last year's Annual meeting, several citizens wanted to advance an article on the West Elementary School project, a typically standard motion not prohibited by any local bylaw, but not favored by the Moderator. Instead of allowing the citizens to decide on the motion she simply didn't allow it. In another case, a citizen wanted to ask a general question about the entire budget process & assumptions immediately after multiple Town Boards spoke about exactly the same thing, but didn't allow it. Another citizen brought multiple pre-written amendments & slides before the meeting for several of the budget articles and didn't allow those either. Town Meeting is for the citizens - it is not about the Moderator -- whose function is to facilitate citizens in exercising their roles as citizen legislators not to prevent it.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Improving the appointment process of the Finance Committee making it more inclusive and transparent. If elected I will ensure that every citizen willing to serve is contacted & interviewed and will broaden the review process to include the Finance Committee Chair.
All appointments will be made on time. Preference being given to the many talented and skilled residents who have never been given an opportunity to serve previously.

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

Successfully performing for two decades the role as an EHS compliance professional whose job is being able to manage often competing & directly conflicting interests in a delicate moderating balance. This includes extensive knowledge and comfort with rules, regulations, & laws, and an ability to both see an issue from multiple both sides as well as garner respect from those with strongly differing opinions.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Don't complain about an issue. Do something about it to either resolve it or make it better.

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

I will always do and stand up for what I believe is right, proper, and fair even if it is not the popular choice. It is paramount that the rules apply equally & impartially to every single participant every single time without question. Every citizen should be comfortable at Town Meeting to have their voice be heard if so desired and be able to vote their conscience & preference on every single article without any undue influence or pressure.