Meet the candidates: Saugus November election

SAUGUS – This is the first in a series of Closer Look articles examining the candidates in the Nov. 5 elections taking place in Lynn and Saugus. This week, reporters Chris Stevens and Kait Taylor present brief profiles of those running for office in Saugus.Next week’s Closer Look will focus on Lynn. On Nov. 4 we’ll give you a rundown of complete information you need for Election Day.Candidates for selectmanEach candidate was asked the same question; What is the biggest issue facing the town and how do you plan to deal with it? Only candidate Joshua Greenstein failed to respond by the deadline.Name: Paul AllanAge: 51Occupation: General manager for Staples in Saugus until recently taking over the Revere store. Town Meeting member Precinct 3Education: Saugus High School, Class of 1980Family: Married with two grown childrenPaul Allan said his intention is to move Saugus forward by advocating and collaborating a “Vision of Saugus” that will allow all entities to work together for a common cause; the improvement of Saugus.The town needs to create economic opportunities in order to support public safety, deal with drug issues, provide continued support and improvement of the Senior Center, Youth & Recreation, and Public Library as well as support for the Capital Improvement Plan. Allan said he would also like to see a continuation, if not improvement ,of services such as trash pickup, snow/ice removal, cemetery maintenance and street cleaning to name a few.”My goal is to provide a ?Customer Service’ form of local government that works for the residents and local businesses,” he said. “We need to be active in pursuing grants and regionalizing our activities to be more cost effective and afford us greater opportunities.”He said collaborating with neighboring communities to regionalize resources and share best practices is important as is the need to improve the quality of life of all residents by focusing on revitalizing neighborhoods, a quality school system including a new high school and a sense of community.”It is the responsibility of the leaders of Saugus to be the catalyst that brings Saugus together by keeping our residents informed, involved, and participating in Saugus,” he said.Name: Steven CastinettiIncumbent: Four years, not consecutiveAge: 64Occupation: Client services executive for hibu, an internet directory companyEducation: St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, bachelor’s degree in business administration from Merrimack College, master’s degree in management from Lesley UniversityFamily: Married, three children, two grandchildrenOne of the most far reaching issues in town is the erosion of people’s rights in the town of Saugus, said incumbent Castinetti.”The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen is constantly not allowing people to speak and the Saugus Community Television Board of Directors does the same thing,” he said. “People don’t have a say in anything that’s going on in this town anymore.”Castinetti said he would like to change the Board of Selectmen dramatically by removing, or essentially voting out, those he believes are suppressing people’s right to speak and vote for those who will defend their rights.Castinetti said that for whoever gets elected it is critical that the board start doing what is right for the residents and stop appointing political pawns to various boards and committees.”If you put people in office that are not afraid to do the right thing this town will move forward,” he said, adding that despite the opinion of some, it is not moving forward today.Name: Maureen DeverServed 1 term, 2002- 2005Age: 56Occupation: Registered nurse – 34 yearsEducation: Recently completed program at Suffolk University and is the Coordinator for Quality Care for Lynn Community Health CenterFamily: Married 32 years, one sonThe biggest issue facing the town at the moment is the need to bring people together in order to successfully move the town forward. Dever said Saugus is poised for an exciting run, particularly with the