Select Board Candidates Q & A

Three candidates — incumbent Lisa Lopez, Chris Albert and John ‘JR’ McCourt — are vying for two open seats on the Select Board in the April 4 election. All three were asked the following questions:

Why are you running for the Canton Select Board?

Chris Albert: I’m running because of my love for the town of Canton. It was a great place to grow up and still is. I, along with my children, attended the Canton schools, had great teachers and exceptional educational opportunities. My business has flourished here in the center of town and I have so much to be grateful for. I want to give back and serve the community that has been so good to me. I am a very optimistic person; I see the opportunities that lay behind the problems and I focus on those opportunities. I’m not afraid of problems; problems are the doorways to success. I’m a worker bee and I’ve learned that the harder I work the better the results. I would say I’m a creative analytic. The answer is in the data, but often the solution must be creative.

Lisa Lopez: I am running for reelection to the Select Board because local government has an enormous impact on people’s day-to-day lives, and I have skills and experiences that can be put to good use. My time on the board hasn’t always been “fun,” but it has been enormously satisfying to work with some great people and make an impact, however big or small. And there is more work to do.

John McCourt: I am running for the Canton Select Board to represent the entire community. I’m a lifelong resident and I have always called Canton my home. I want to keep the town one that’s full of prosperity, pride, tradition, opportunity, and charity for all — the kind of town that I enjoyed my entire life.

Briefly summarize your educational/professional/service background.

Chris Albert: I am a graduate of Xaverian Brothers High School. I attended Bentley College but left to open my first business at 20 years old. Looking back it was a big move for a young man, but I was excited and anxious to get to work. I’ve worked extremely hard my whole life. That is why I believe I can make a difference and contribute in a positive way to all of the residents of Canton. I learned my work ethic from my dad, who worked incredibly hard to allow my mom, brothers, sister and I to have the things he wasn’t able to have as a child. People tell me I have big heart and that I sometimes wear it on my sleeve. I’m okay with that; I’m comfortable in my own skin.

Lisa Lopez: I have a BA from Ohio State University and a JD from Yale Law School. I retired from a 24-year career as chief legal officer of Haemonetics Corp., a publicly traded life sciences company. Post-retirement, I have done pro bono work as an immigration attorney for kids.

I have been involved in public service for 40+ years with local groups including the Canton schools, St. Gerard’s, the Community Preservation Committee, CAASA, Master Plan Implementation Committee, Select Board, and the Canton Housing Trust. I have also held leadership positions in numerous professional organizations and have served for 20 years as a trustee of Cathedral High School. Learn more about my campaign at lisalopez2023.com or email info@lisalopez2023.com

John McCourt: I graduated from Blue Hills Regional Technical Institute with an associate’s degree in electronic technology, but I found my true passion in construction, with a special interest in building and renovating homes. I later moved on to the Canton Housing Authority, where I have worked for nearly 30 years as a supervisor. I have been privileged to serve the town on multiple boards, including current positions as chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission and as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Building Renovations Committee (BRC). I have also worked on several town projects, including the Senior Center, Metropolis Rink, and the new town pool.

What key traits would make you an effective municipal leader?

Chris Albert: I’ve served on a number of youth sports boards and have coached multiple teams. Sports are so much more than recreation. They help develop a child’s physical abilities as well as the ability to work with others and to accept wins and losses with equal grace. I’ve donated my time and resources to many activities and Canton events over three decades as a business owner and lifelong resident of Canton.

Lisa Lopez: I am positive, collaborative, and a good communicator. My governing philosophy is to hire the best people, and to recruit the most competent and creative volunteers, and then provide them whatever they need in support to allow them to make their best contributions. The whole is always greater than the sum of the parts!

John McCourt: I consider myself to be a hands-on person. I like to have face-to-face conversations and research the facts, and hear from all stakeholders before making a decision. It is imperative to have good communication and be able to reach out to the professionals we have in our town. With more information and input, we’re better able to make smart decisions on your constituents’ behalf.

What should be some of the town’s top priorities over the next three years?

Chris Albert: We need to work on the downtown and attract small businesses back to Canton. We lost several restaurants during the pandemic and have a lot of empty stores. Our roads are in very bad shape and seem neglected. We also have buildings that must be upgraded or repaired such as the Galvin Middle School. In general, we need to focus on the projects with the greatest need and greatest ROI; certainly GMS checks both of those boxes.

Lisa Lopez: Important near-term priorities include: 1.) revitalizing downtown so that it is a vibrant destination with a sense of place; 2.) deciding how to transform the St. Gerard’s properties into public spaces that benefit the entire community for generations to come; 3.) balancing our commitment to retain the small-town character of our historic town with the need to create more housing choice for people who live here (veterans, older adults, people with disabilities, town employees); and 4.) promoting policies and practices that make our town more environmentally friendly, to the long-term benefit of our children and grandchildren.

John McCourt: In the next three years the town is facing some big challenges. Among them are the Galvin Middle School project, our current building facilities program needs, and filing job vacancies in the town in these competitive times. We have lost a lot of businesses in the past year and we need to try and attract new ones. These and other challenges need collective ideas and support from a strong board, which I plan to be a part of. There is strength in unity and I want to be a part of this united effort on Canton’s behalf.

What is your vision for Canton’s future?

Chris Albert: I envision Canton as a fiscally sound and socially welcoming town. I see our efforts today paying off well into the future, with first-rate schools, protected open spaces, invaluable natural assets, and schools and public buildings that are well maintained and vibrant. While change is unavoidable, I look ahead and see a Canton community that has maintained its strong work ethic and easy hometown vibe.

Lisa Lopez: My vision and hope for Canton is that it’s a place where all of our residents and families can continue to enjoy a quality of life and quality of community that allow them to be happy, healthy and safe — and the best version of themselves.

John McCourt: Canton is rich in spirit and compassion. The services are second to none; its employees are among the very best; and our schools have become a pillar in the community. I not only want to play a part in keeping it that way, but also help it continue to grow and flourish.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Mar 23 2023. Filed under Opinion, Town Election. Both comments and pings are currently closed.