Meet Selectmen Candidate Francis Cavaco

Seekonk Patch sent a list of questions to the three candidates running for one selectmen seat in the April 1 election. Below are the questions along with the answers submitted by candidate Francis Cavaco.

—Jonathan Friedman, editor

Name: Francis Cavaco

Age: 58

How long have you lived in Seekonk? I have lived in Seekonk 10 years.

Why do you choose to remain a resident of this town? Seekonk is home.

What is your day job? If you are retired, what was your former job? I am retired. I was a UPS Driver.

Why are you running? I am running for re-election to the Seekonk Board of Selectmen because my work is not done. The taxpayers elected me to be the check and balance on Seekonk finances. I am the check and balance. Yet, to this day, I am the only Selectman who studies the expense payments and payrolls weekly. I hate waste, and I make sure there is no waste in Seekonk government. I am a Selectman who will fight for transparency in government and I demand cheaper, more cost effective solutions.

What makes you a better choice than your opponents? I have experience as a Seekonk Selectman and I have a strong record. I pledged to be a financial watchdog, and I am a financial watchdog. I have secured money for the Town and I have personally brought twelve new liquor licenses into the Town. One of my opponents has six years as a Selectman. What is his record? If he had accomplishments to speak of, believe me, you would have heard them. My other opponent is completely inexperienced as a Selectman.

What have you done to contribute to the town? My accomplishments are: 

• Returned $214,000.00 to Seekonk by insisting that state government pay for engineering on the 114A Road Project.
• Petitioned and received from Mass Highway $100,000.00 for more funding for Route 152 project.
• Secured $50,000.00 transportation bond with state delegation for Safety Complex light on Route 44.
• Expedited $1.3 Million reimbursement of local aid owed Seekonk schools for 8 years.
• Secured twelve (12) new liquor licenses with local/state delegation guaranteeing new revenue and jobs for Seekonk.
• Promoted and passed $100,000.00 for Animal shelter at Town Meeting.
• Promoted and passed $10,000.00 for Veterans Memorial at Town Meeting.
• Implemented the Brown Bag Program for seniors.
• Implemented office hours (Mondays 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.) for Seekonk citizens to speak to me directly.
• My entire Selectman's stipend is donated to Seekonk's needy.

As a selectman, what are the top five goals you would want to accomplish during the next three years? I want to make sure our elderly residents are safe, warm and have enough money for medications. Recently, I stood in line behind an elderly couple who were talking to the Pharmacist, telling him they had to choose between heating oil and their medications. This is not right!!! I want to bring money to the Seekonk Commons.

I will go to Boston to get more money for Seekonk from the Lottery money.  Seekonk is one of the highest sellers of Lottery tickets in the Commonwealth, but, Seekonk does not receive its fair share. I pledge to change the formula and see that Seekonk gets what it should get from the Lottery.

What do you think about the current state of Seekonk's government? Do changes need to be made? Seekonk is holding its head above water right now because of the business community. I know that Seekonk government can do more for businesses. We must develop a Sign By-Law that does not hurt businesses. We need to hold taxes where they are and consider reducing the tax burden to businesses. 

I also know that Seekonk government can do more to be ready for the future.  Right now, people are scared of losing their jobs, their ability to feed their families and they are scared of losing their homes. It is important that the Board of Selectmen position Seekonk to be ready for the economic recovery that will come. We need to look, immediately, at the state of our buildings and roads, Library and Schools. Over the decades, we have ignored maintenance until something was ready to fall down. It is time to correct this thinking and plan for the future.

As a selectman, you are one vote of five. You need at least two people to agree with you to get anything approved. How are you at working in groups? What experience do you have with working productively as a group? All of life is cooperation. A five person Board of Selectmen means we must all work for the good of the Town of Seekonk, or your initiative will not be approved.

What do you like to do in your free time? I am interested the Arts. I love the opera, and the symphony. I devote some of my free time to enhance the image of the Veterans in Seekonk. I belong to the Elks.

Is there anything else we should know about you? The citizens of Seekonk should know that I would be proud to earn their vote April 1. I have pledged to be the watchdog of Seekonk finances and I am the check and balance for the Town. I pledge to continue that role and to expand the amount of time I dedicate to finding new money for Seekonk.