Waltham Candidate Profile: Sean Durkee, Ward 6 City Councilor

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham will have several contested races in this fall's election, including a race for Ward 6's city councilor. Waltham Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Sean Durkee,51, is facing off against Ward 6 Councilor Sharline Nabulime, who is just about to complete her first term. Durkee faced off against her in 2018 and she bested him by just 85 votesthen.

Durkee (who grew up on Prentice Street and went to the Plympton School) has spent his adult life as a resident of Waltham. He got his MBA from Bentley University and has a background in financial management,where he's worked for the past two decades. He's also been in the US Army Reserves for 17 years.

He took some time to answer a few questions about his campaign. His responses have not been edited.

Previously: Waltham Elections 2019: Here's Who Is Running

Are you running for office in Waltham? Contact Jenna Fisher at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Waltham Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Keeping the residential exemption in place and the $2,400/year property tax savings that goes along with it is the most pressing issue facing Ward 6 constituents. The City of Waltham is one of a dozen or so MA communities that allows for higher commercial/industrial zoned property taxes to help offset residential owner-occupied homes. The council voted 8-5 in keeping the exemption in place. My opponent voted AGAINST keeping the exemption where I would have voted in favor of keeping it. The economic impact on seniors who want to stay in their own homes and those on fixed-incomes would be devastating. I intend to vote in favor of the exemption whenever it comes to a vote.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
A perfect example of our differences is my opponents vote AGAINST requiring developers to set aside more affordable housing units, from 10% to 15%. She stated she wanted more than 15%. I would have collaborated and negotiated with my colleagues to get the best deal I thought appropriate. Since a higher percentage was not on the table, I would have voted in favor of the 15% and worked with colleagues to obtain a higher percentage at a later date. After all a half-loaf is better than none. Instead, my opponent voted against the proposal.

More importantly, though, I will treat people with whom I disagree respect and dignity and admit to my mistakes. We all make mistakes. But had I falsely accused the current City Clerk and his wife of violating state ethics laws like my opponent, I would have at least had the courtesy to apologize afterwards.

I will speak with opposing sides of an issue before I make a judgement. What I won't do, is publicly accuse a lifelong Waltham businessman and resident three times of trying to "buy" my vote. Said resident donated campaign contributions to ALL 15 city councilors this election year. My opponent, once on Twitter in May and twice more since on publicly televised ZBA meetings, suggested the resident tried to "buy" her vote. The irony, by virtue of the proposal being in front of the zoning board, is my opponent has NO ABILITY to vote on this project.

My approach was to attend a developer-sponsored community event at the Chateau Restaurant with Ward 6 residents regarding the proposed development. At personal expense, I informed over 100 Pond Street residents and others by mail of upcoming zoning board of appeals (ZBA) meetings. I spoke at one meeting with my concerns about available parking, impact of the local schools and the number of affordable units being provided. Neither the developer nor property owner were known to me before this development was proposed. I have asked for their perspectives in addition to resident concerns at ZBA meetings. We should negotiate the best deal possible and put construction workers to work on a project that has a high percentage of being approved (whether or not I like it).

One more thing. I will take ownership of my votes, no matter how unpopular. When I pointed out my opponent's vote against the $2.225 million School Street project [City Council Roll Call vote, May 28, 2019] she promptly sent out a newsletter stating I was wrong to so state. Unfortunately for her, my opponents votes are a matter of public record. Feel free to contact the City Clerk's office for a copy of her votes against the residential exemption, against the increase in affordable housing, against the School/Lexington Street(s) water/sewer project and against, unbelievably, allowing the mayor to negotiate with UMass to acquire the Field Station and farm on Beaver Street.

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

My neighbors and I do not believe we are being properly represented on the City council. For example, my opponent was the only council member to vote AGAINST the $2.225 million water & sewer project on School and Lexington streets. Her vote against was a disgrace. The vote funded replacing 90 year old water and sewer pipes and repaving School Street, arguably the most pot-holed street in Waltham. A councilor's position is not about self-serving grandstanding, but about running the basic functions of city government.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:
I attended the first Wayside Rail Trail meeting in 1996 at Government Center and would like to see that project through to completion. The new high school should be fully funded and completed as soon as possible. Ward 6 has some significant infrastructure improvement needs, such as roads, sidewalks and speed mitigation signs. Whenever and wherever possible, I want to facilitate putting people to work who want to work, to include trade and constructions jobs, not just high-tech white-collar positions.

We cannot relieve the increase in city traffic and congestion that everyone talks about until we achieve the state-required 10% affordable housing requirement (regarding the 40B law). The council's vote to increase the requirement to 15% was a step in the right direction.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
People's true colors show when faced with adversity. As a teenager, I earned my Eagle Scout Award when less than 2% of scouts earned the award. After graduating from undergraduate school, a recession hit the country. I knew I could do more with my life than working as a bank teller (for a bank that soon collapsed financially). I went to school nights for three years while working until I obtained my Bentley University MBA with a finance concentration. Eight years later, I felt I could do more to give back to my country. I enlisted in the Army and went through basic combat training as a 34 year old. My goal of becoming a Warrant Officer was attained and I still serve in the US Army Reserves. My two deployments were each a yearlong and presented hardships with work for starters. When I saw family members volunteering more and more of their personal time to charities, I thought I could do more. So I started volunteering to help the Waltham Arts Council with their Concerts on the Common. I got involved with VFW Post 2152 and hold the position of Senior Vice Commander. I belong to other civic organizations such as the Friends of the Waltham Public Library, Waltham Land Trust and other veteran service organizations. I participate in as many of the Race Around Waltham (RAW) series road races as possible because they promote a healthy lifestyle and benefit Waltham-specific charities. The above listed are goals I've set and achieved for myself and believe there is always something to learn and improve oneself.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...
A military supervisor once asked me if I will be a 'problem identifier' or a 'problem' solver during a deployment. That question totally changed my perspective of problem solving and looking at the big picture. I strive to be a problem solver.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I love our city. I get really motivated hearing from all our newly arrived transplants and why they chose Waltham as their home. One couple told me they checked over 50 cities and decided on Waltham when they saw our updated parks for children. Another couple said they like our youth sports and diversity. If someone wants to remain in Waltham, then I want them to stay. Longer-term residents add value and will reinvest in our city. If you live in Ward 6, I ask for your vote on November 5th!

Your social media info:

Sean Durkee for Waltham Ward 6, Facebook

My favorite aspect of this city is...

Our history and the ability to adapt to a changing world. The American Industrial Revolution started in Waltham. We went from textiles to manufacturing pocket watches so accurate the railroads used them to keep the trains on time. By the turn of the 20th century, we were manufacturing bicycles and automobiles. We manufactured precision instruments for the war effort and continued to develop radar and other electronic systems. We are now at the forefront of the biotechnology industry and headquarter a European computer aided design company. Home to two universities, I look forward to our future and seeing what exciting new technologies, systems or services that will be created in Waltham.

More on Waltham Elections:

• Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy Announces She Will Run
• Possible Challenge To McCarthy's Run For Waltham Mayor
• Councilor Diane LeBlanc Hints At Run For Mayor
• Waltham Councilor Diane LeBlanc Announces She Will Run
• Waltham Election Calendar: What To Know About Election Season
• Column: Why I'm Running For City Waltham City Councilor At Large
• Don Desrochers Announces Campaign for City Council Seat

More Waltham Candidate Profiles

• Robert Logan - Ward 9
• Heather May - Ward 2
• Jeannette McCarthy- Mayor
• Colleen Bradley-MacArthur - At Large City Council
• Steve Lydon - At Large

Are you running for office in Waltham? Contact Jenna Fisher at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Waltham Patch.