Brookline 2023 Candidate Profile: John VanScoyoc, Select Board

BROOKLINE, MA – Brookline’s spring town election is coming up on Tuesday, May 2 and Brookline Patch has reached out to candidates in contested races to answer questions about why they're running.

In 2023, only races for select board, school committee (1-year term) and housing authority are contested.

John VanScoyoc is an incumbent running to keep his select board seat. Here's why he's running again in 2023.

John VanScoyoc, 74, retired after 43 years as a print and television journalist and producer

Relevant experience: Select Board (first term); Advisory Committee, including chair; Town Meeting Member

Why are you running for Select Board this year?
My three years on the Select Board have been among the most challenging in the Board’s history. We have risen to the challenges of COVID, the abrupt resignation of our police chief in the midst of national soul-searching over the future of policing; and a global warming crisis requiring unprecedented local initiatives. On all three fronts, the Select Board rose to the challenge, and my role was instrumental.

What's one thing you'd like to achieve in 2023 if elected to the Select Board?
I would like to support and protect vital retail corridors, comprehensively plan housing growth, budget strategically to minimize overrides, and focus equity initiatives on results (money for local people, not consultants).

What's one thing lacking in Brookline that you would like to see change?
We need a revival of vigorous and in depth local news coverage as well as improved communication from Town Hall.

What's something the district does well, and how would you support that as a member of the Select Board?
I am a supporter of full transparency by the Board and outreach to keep townspeople informed of the issues impacting their families and neighborhoods. To that end, I am the board’s number one communicator through my Good Government for Brookline website and my weekly “All Politics” newsletter to over 700 recipients.

What's your top priority?
Until we turn the corner on global warming, implementing local measures to end the burning of fossil fuels will be my number one priority.