Whitney steps up for Grafton Select Board run

Lifelong Grafton resident Richard Whitney is the first person to pull nomination papers for the Select Board for the May 17 Town Election.

“I’m doing it because I don’t see anybody else stepping up and I keep seeing the same people running for office,” said Whitney, a member of the Community Preservation Committee and a former member of the Conservation Commission. “If somebody can do a better job than me, go for it.”

Whitney retired a decade ago after working as a state auctioneer, running his own company, R Whitney Auctions, as well as owning several businesses in the automotive and banking industries. He also served in the U.S. Army.

Also on Monday, recently appointed School Committee member Mariagraciela Vargas-Baker pulled nomination papers for the 1-year seat on the committee, left vacant by the resignation of Rahul Rathi. Vargas-Baker is a school psychologist in both Worcester and Westborough and will attend her first committee meeting Tuesday night.

Already in the running is School Committee Chair Amy Marr and Planning Board Chair David Robbins. Select Board Chair Peter Carlson has not pulled papers but has said he will seek re-election.

Whitney said the idea of running for Select Board “has been in the back of my mind for weeks.” He has advocated for residents to get involved with the town by attending Town Meeting, worked along with his wife during the starting phase of the Grafton Food Bank, and believes people should speak their minds.

And the most powerful way they can speak is by voting — at the ballot box for town boards and on the floor at Town Meeting, he said.

“We’ve gotta preserve the old and also bring in the new — but not bring it in so fast that you blindside people,” Whitney said. “If you’re here, you need to get off your couch and get involved.

Nomination papers are now available in the Town Clerk’s office. Seats on the ballot this year include:

• Select Board – Two 3-year terms, currently held by Peter Carlson and Doreen DeFazio, are up for election
• School Committee — Two 3-year terms, currently held by Amy Marr and Jennifer Connelly and one 1-year term, now held by Mariagraciela Vargas-Baker
• Board of Library Trustees – Two 3-year terms, currently held by Dana Wilson and Daniela Sharma, are up for election
• Planning Board – Two 3-year terms, currently held by David Robbins and Prabhu Balaji Venkataraman, are up for election 
• Town Clerk – One 3-year term, currently held by Kandy Lavallee, is up for election

Papers must be returned by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29 for certification. Nomination papers must contain the names of at least 50 registered voters of Grafton, but candidates are urged to submit more than the minimum number required in case some names or signatures cannot be verified. Candidates may withdraw their nomination papers up until 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 14.

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