Ehrhard announces select board run

By Matthew Bernat
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE - A handful of votes barred him from becoming a selectman in last April’s election. This year, James Ehrhard said he’s not taking any chances after that exasperating, yet encouraging, loss.
Ehrhard is the first to announce his candidacy in the upcoming election, seeking the seat currently held by Harold White. Already he has gathered the signatures needed to run, established a campaign Web site, recruited volunteers and made plans to knock on 1,000 doors before Monday, April 12.
“When you lose by 14 votes you realize that truly, every single vote counts. I am definitely going to step up my campaign efforts this year,” Ehrhard said.
If he sounds determined it’s because the issues facing town are too important to ignore, he said.
Many residents are feeling the effects of the recession, he said. To continue to fund major projects like the Town Hall renovations, the Burgess Elementary School reconstruction and acquire and maintain open space, he said the tax burden must be shifted from residential property taxes to other sources.
Namely, he would pursue other revenue streams by using the I-84/I-90 interchange as a selling point to new business. He also notes the Route 15 corridor, with its proximity to highway exits, is waiting for development.
Without additional revenue the tax burden would fall more and more on the shoulders of residents to fund necessary capital improvements, he said.
“I can help bring forward policy that would affect tax changes, the formation of private and public partnerships, growth issues…we need to find a different way to bring in revenue and make positive changes to tax policies,” he said.
Ehrhard moved to Sturbridge with his wife and two young children five years ago. A lawyer by trade, he owns a firm in Worcester that specializes in bankruptcy law.
Before running for selectman last year he served as a Sturbridge representative to the Tantasqua Regional School District Committee and is currently still on that board. Also, he serves as the chairman of the second incarnation of the Town Administrator Search Committee.
Time on both boards has allowed him to collaborate with a variety of personalities, work to build consensus, and do what’s best for the town, he said, and he would bring that experience to the board if elected.
“I think there’s a missing piece on the board of selectmen right now,” Ehrhard said. “There’s a polarization there, but with my experience, no matter how divisive the issue is, I can be a productive member and get the job done.”
In keeping with his campaign’s theme of “Preparing for Sturbridge’s Future Together,” other items on Ehrhard’s agenda include: revisiting the single-tier property tax, protecting public health with an emphasis on the Southbridge landfill; developing the Route 15 corridor; protecting senior citizens and focusing on quality of life upgrades.
For more information on Ehrhard and his campaign visit his Web site: www.jamesehrhard.com.
If you are interested in seeking election to the board of selectmen or another elected position nomination papers are available in the town clerk’s office at the temporary Town Hall.
The final day to take out papers is Friday, Feb. 19. The final day to submit is Monday, Feb. 23.
Nominees must be registered voters and obtain 37 signatures of registered voters to be placed on the ballot.