Shawn Raymond and Ben Baskin are candidates for the two open trustee positions on the Village of Ballston Spa Board. The election will be held on Tuesday, March 16th. They are running as a team under the local, non-partisan A Better BSpa line.
Shawn Raymond has successfully served as Village Trustee over the past four years and is running for re-election. He has been a key member of the team that has balanced the Village’s books and brought it in line with generally accepted accounting principles. Ben Baskin is a long-time community volunteer running with Raymond. The motto of the campaign is Keep Moving Forward. “We want to build on the progress we’ve generated over the last few years in terms of finances and infrastructure, and Ben is a great fit for the team,” says Raymond.
Baskin and Raymond’s four key campaign issues are: Preserving village character; Promoting smart growth; Providing fiscal responsibility, and; Protecting village services. The village board recently embarked on a comprehensive plan and zoning review. “It is vitally important to have on the board this year knowledgeable people who will work hard to maintain the character of Ballston Spa while promoting smart, neighborhood-friendly growth,” Baskin says.
Shawn Raymond is a Civil Engineer and 22-year Village resident. In addition to currently serving as Village Trustee, he was part of the group that constructed Kelly Park. He was also on the task force that led the Malta Elementary School preservation efforts, and the design of Gordon Creek Elementary School. His 20-plus civil engineering career includes expertise in building design/construction, pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure, highway and traffic engineering.
Ben Baskin, a village resident of 17 years, is a non-profit and public health professional with a strong background in senior services. For many years he helped lead the advocacy group Smart Growth Ballston. He is currently a member of the Ballston Planning Board and Clean Energy Committee. He served as President and Treasurer of the Ballston Area Community Center (BACC), where he raised $100,000 in grants to build BACC’s first playground. His expertise includes grant writing, customer service, financial management, and community organizing.
Baskin and Raymond’s extensive volunteer service, deep village roots, and professional experience make them the best candidates for village trustees in the upcoming election.
#abetterbspa
