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MILLBURY, Mass. — The desire to serve the public remains strong for Joe Coggans and he has announced his decision to run again for the Millbury Board of Selectmen in April.
Coggans described his desire to serve akin “to a rookie cop on the beat.” “More than ever, I believe local government needs a strong voice,” Coggans said. “Even if you’ve disagreed with me, I can stand here and say, I’ve always acted in the best interests of Millbury. I’ve never had a personal agenda, I like helping people and am reaching out to people to return me to the Board of Selectmen,” he added.
He pointed out that with the loss of two veteran, long-time serving electmen, he could be an effective member of the board and “hit the ground running.” Coggans served for 12 years before being ousted in the 2010 election, which he said came from complacency.
“I admit I made some errors in the way I campaigned, as my friends and even my wife told me that I didn’t campaign the way I did in the past and shame on me,” Coggans said. This time he says, that won’t happen, “I’m the underdog this time and I’m running dead last in the field and I’m running like I’m dead last,” he added.
Coggans also said that he’d like to reach out to people who’ve disagreed with him in the past and try to reach a middle ground. “Talking things out is always the best way to handle things,” he said. “If I disagree with someone, it’s never about the person, only the issue,” he added with emphasis.
Reaching out to department heads is very important to Coggans, not to interfere with the way they run their departments, he said, but to understand the issues when various departments ask for support on specific issues.
Coggans considers himself pro-business and states that, “anything I can do to help other businesses to come into Millbury I would do that.” He stated he wants good quality jobs for the town so that people in town have the opportunity to work at a job that they can hold their head up.
Coggans, if successful would have to give up his seat on the Millbury Board of Assessors, but nothing else would change. He said he will continue his work with the Sheriff’s Department as well as his local Cable Access television show.
Selectman Brian Ashmankas has already announced he’s seeking re-election and Mary Krumsek has also announced she’s seeking one of two available seats.
Comments (4)
Grandstanding for the cameras is what got him ousted as well as the wave of "vote out the incumbents" that was happening at the time nationwide.
Now THIS will be an interesting race to watch. Get out and vote.
At least he's not a Tea Party type, or worse yet, a young "conservative". Likely the two most divisive and misguided types of politician imaginable. Joe gets my vote.
Likely two of the most well-intentioned and honest type of politicans. Limiting government is the name of the game. Not expanding it.
I think Joe would be a great asset again by getting re-elected to the Board of Selectman Seat he knows the town laws and has been a dedicated server to the people of Millbury.