Arnie Rosenblatt, Amherst Planning Board Candidate

Arnie Rosenblatt

Age (as of Election Day)

69

Position sought (including district number if applicable)

Planning Board three-year term

Party Affiliation

Not applicable to this position

Family

Wife Jeanne and adult son Andy

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

B.A. Swarthmore College; M.A. Brown University; J.D. Columbia

Occupation

Lawyer 41 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Approximately 25 years on Amherst Planning Board; currently Chairman

Campaign website

None

Why are you seeking elective office?

I believe that I have been an effective member and leader on the Planning Board and want to continue to serve the community in which I have lived for 35 years

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

The most difficult issue we have is reconciling the important need to preserve open space in Amherst with the significant pressure to develop land—and the rights of landowners. I plan to continue to do what I always have done—to carefully scrutinize each application in order to ensure that we adhere to the appropriate ordinances and regulations.

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

I have a long track record of vigorously pushing for open space, carefully examining each application to ensure that that application satisfies all requirements and trying to reconcile competing interests. I don’t rely on theories but instead rely on experience and the facts—and I don’t have a bias in support of a developer who asks for approval or a bias against or in favor of anyone. I am not doctrinaire and I rationally look at each project. In other words, I think I have done my best for the community and hope to continue to do so.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

See the other answers.

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

My years on the Planning Board and my years as Chairman. As Chairman over the past several years, I hopefully have helped provide different voices an opportunity to be heard and to influence the Board. I also have helped I hope to maintain Amherst as a town that we all want to live in.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be straightforward with people with whom you deal.

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

I have done my best for the town. I want to continue in this role because I genuinely believe I have something to continue to contribute.