Walter Craven to for selectman in Ludlow; 2 others considering run

Incumbents John Da Cruz and Antonio Dos Santos have decided not to seek re-election.

Walter E. Craven

LUDLOW - Walter E. Craven of 292 West Street has announced his candidacy for the Board of Selectmen in the March 26 annual town election.

There also are two other candidates who have nomination papers out for two, three-year terms on the Board of Selectmen.

The deadline to return nomination papers is Monday at 5 p.m.

The other candidates with nomination papers out are Joseph Queiroga, a member of the Planning Board, and Timothy S. Donnelly of 39 Arnold Street.

The two incumbents, Selectman John Da Cruz and Selectman Antonio Dos Santos, have announced they will not be seeking reelection.

Craven ran unsuccessfully as a write-in candidate for School Committee last year.

He also ran unsuccessfully for School Committee in 2003.

Craven served for four years on the Westover Golf Commission, was a member of the Stevens Memorial Building Study Commission and has been an elected Town Meeting member for the past 15 years.

Craven also has volunteered with the Ludlow Boys & Girls Club, the Ludlow PTO and the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce.

Craven said he has identified three key areas that need continued effort for the long-term financial health and quality of life for the residents of the town.

He said the first area is the stabilization and reduction of the residential tax rate, the second area is the reduction of non-employee related expenses in the town, and third is the continuation of the business development plans along East Street and Center Street with a focus on long-term planning and attraction of upscale larger businesses.

Craven said his short-term goals will include securing of reimbursement for the costs of cleanup of the October storm, working with the School Committee and Finance Committee on budgets and working with the current municipal structure to “maximize services while keeping in line financial costs.”

Craven said he is employed as a compliance officer with global compliance performing governmental regulatory audits in numerous fields.