John McVeigh, with his dog Kato, is running for selectman in Huntington this Saturday in a contested race with Charles Bushor. (submitted photo)
HUNTINGTON – For John McVeigh, running for a seat on the Huntington Select Board is personal.
“I’m from Huntington originally,” he said. “Huntington doesn’t have that small-town feel anymore.”
McVeigh, 35, of 5 Mountain View, Huntington, moved his family and the landscaping company he ran for eight years, working between Connecticut and Massachusetts, back to town, after telling his wife all about the Huntington he remembered, and all of the community events here.
“Everything is completely changed,” he said.
McVeigh sold his business this past year, and currently is a stay-at-home dad for his son Colton, 2, and daughter Adalynn, 4. He is also a volunteer firefighter for the town. He accompanied the Huntington and Chesterfield Fire Departments to Staten Island last fall with donations for victims of Hurricane Sandy.
McVeigh wants to bring back the activities that he feels brought the communities in the Gateway region together.
“We had big fireworks, a big parade that brought all the communities together. I used to know everyone in Russell and Chester,” he said.
One of his recent ideas included installing a water park in town, which he said was met with opposition by the Select Board. McVeigh said he was willing to install it himself. He said he is interested in attracting more families to the community.
“Our biggest killer is the school system,” McVeigh said. “If we can draw more families here and keep them in the school instead of choicing them out, then we’d all be better off in the long run.”
McVeigh said he is one person who would stand up and say no to Dr. David Hopson, the school superintendent.
“He treats people like they don’t know what they’re talking about,” McVeigh said.
He also said he would not support the district budget.
McVeigh said he would like to see a pharmacy move back to Main Street. “I’ve been researching and talking with people about independent pharmacists, who can now buy their drugs at the same price as the chain stores,” he said. “That would be a huge step forward.”
He would also like to see other businesses that would fit into the historical nature of the town.
“We have to back and promote our own businesses,” he said. “There is a disconnect between downtown and regular people. We’ve got to find those things to bring them into town.”
McVeigh, whose parents both reside in Huntington, also said he would like to get more programs going for seniors.
“There’s a lot we could learn from our seniors,” he said. He also plans to join the Historic Society.
When asked why people should vote for him, McVeigh said, “You’re not going to get a line out of me just to make you happy. I’m not part of an elite clique. They know I know this town. I have a lot personally invested in it.”
“People can talk to me. With me, you’re going to get an open door,” he said. “I strongly believe in accountability and transparency.”
The election will be held this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Stanton Hall.
