Meet Barnstable Town Council Candidate Toby Leary

BARNSTABLE, MA — Local elections in Barnstable are less than a month away, and Patch is determined to help residents get to know their candidates for council and school committee.

Patch has sent candidate questionnaires to each of the candidates that will appear on the ballot in a contested race for each of those positions.

Precinct 11 Town Council candidate Toby Leary made a promise to himself 20 years ago that he would serve the town he lives in.

The biggest issue facing Barnstable? Housing, Leary said.

"We need to get ahead of the shortage that is facing our community or we will price ourselves out of workforce housing," he said.

Learn more about Leary here:

Name

Toby Leary

How old will you be as of Election Day?

48

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://electtobyleary.com

What city or town do you live in?

West Barnstable

What office are you seeking?

Town Council

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Precinct 11

Education.

Graduate class of 1993 Cape Cod Tech carpentry program

What is your occupation?

Builder, 35 years. Gun Shop owner 9 years

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

Wife Justine of 25 years, Ezra 20, Micah 18, Esther 14

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

To bring business efficiency to local government. I promised myself 20 years ago I would give back to the town in which I live.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Housing. We need to get ahead of the shortage that is facing our community or we will price ourselves out of workforce housing. If our workers can't find homes to buy, they will continue to move and settle somewhere else.

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

I am endorsed by the Homebuilders and Remodelers Association, and I have 35 years of experience in residential construction. I also am a pro-business candidate. As a multiple business owner for over 20 years in the town, I know how hard it is to comply with regulations and red tape. I would like to see a smart development of blighted properties into workforce housing, a reduction in regulation for business and ways to reduce taxes for residents.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I don't believe she has gotten out in front of these issues and is reactionary, instead of taking the lead on them.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Proposed windfarm transformer station locations, making sure town land is accessible to sportsmen, and preservation of our natural resources; Water quality, conservation, and improving our infrastructure.

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

Business leadership, employment of 100s of people over 20 years. We have been voted the best place to work the past two years in a row, businesses 5 to 100 employees. I also serve on the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce membership pillar and the Cape Cod Tech advisory board for the carpentry shop. I am a good decision maker, and have taken a thoughtful approach that has led to success in multiple business endeavors.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Learn how to listen, don't pretend to know everything, and lead by example.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have taken that good advice to heart and will educate myself on all sides of every issue, and use the most conservative approach to town government. This would be scrutinized in the following 3 ways: Is it good for the town? Is it good for the taxpayer? Does it make people's life easier?