Essex voters go to the polls Monday to choose which of two candidates will have a seat on the town's next Board of Selectmen.
It is an important choice, since selectmen will be addressing a variety of issues, from the future of Conomo Point to the future of their historic Town Hall and public safety facilities. And residents are fortunate to have two experienced candidates in Ray Randall and Ed Neal. Randall is the incumbent seeking re-election, while Neal served on the Board of Selectmen for one term, 1994 to 1997, and has also served on the Board of Health and the School Committee.
In his campaign, and in an interview yesterday at the Times, Neal raises some good points. He emphasizes that any planning or zoning must recognize that businesses need a place in town as much as residential development. And he stands firm against the town selling off any waterfront sites at Conomo Point.
But he has not really made the most basic case: why Randall needs to be ousted. The truth is, Randall has worked effectively to build consensus with fellow selectmen and among residents when it comes to sticky issues such as Conomo Point and an overall master plan. It's that type of diplomacy that will be needed as this board and the town move forward — and it's for that reason we endorse Ray Randall for re-election as Essex selectman.
