The Polarizer

Every tax is a pay cut. Every tax cut is a pay raise.
Citizens for Limited Taxation

Town critic seeks Framingham Board of Selectmen seat January 23, 2010

Dan McDonald 508-626-4416 Metrowest Daily News

FRAMINGHAM -- Harold Wolfe is, by most accounts, a polarizing figure.
He's been convicted of assaulting a police officer. He's irked the local nonprofit sector by publishing addresses of social service agency leaders on his Web site. And he's aggravated town unions by flatly stating that their workers are overpaid.
Now, for the fourth time, the Delmar Avenue resident is running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen.
Wolfe admits this bid, like the previous three, is most likely doomed.
"I don't consider myself having a chance, but you never know," he said.
The self-described libertarian has made many enemies over the years, including the Police Department. He has called for Police Chief Steven Carl's resignation and says that department is not tough enough when it comes to cracking down on illegal immigration.
He thinks the town should erect signs proclaiming "Illegal Immigrants Not Welcome."
He also dislikes what he considers to be a preponderance of tax-exempt social service organizations in Framingham.
He runs a Web site, smocingham.org, dedicated to criticizing South Middlesex Opportunity Council, which is embroiled in a controversial federal lawsuit with the town and town officials.
Without a change in leadership at the Memorial Building, he says, "You're going to get higher taxes and more illegals.
"Has the town improved despite all the taxes?" asks Wolfe.
Another of his Web sites is called no-more-overrides.org.
Wolfe turned in candidacy papers with the requisite 50 signatures this week, as did Ginger Esty, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen.
His name will appear on the April 13 ballot.
Thus far Esty and fellow incumbent Charlie Sisitsky, whom Wolfe says he "can't stand," will also appear on the ballot, as will longtime Planning Board member Tom Mahoney. Mahoney returned his papers Friday afternoon.
There are two spots available on the board this year.
Firefighter Bill Petro has taken out nomination papers, but not yet returned them, according to the town clerk's office.
In 2008, Wolfe was convicted of striking a police officer. He still challenges the police version of the events and disagrees with the jury's finding, but says an appeal is not worth it.
In May 2008, he was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation and was fined more than $800. A six-member jury found Wolfe guilty of grappling with Officer Greg Reardon before dawn on June 15, 2007.
Wolfe, who had a tape recorder on him at the time of the incident, has posted a link to the audio on his Web site abetterframingham.org.
Wolfe, 60, who has worked as a software engineer, has been retired for about five years.
He's still a numbers guy. The Web site, abetterframingham.org contains several screeds regarding town police, illegal immigrants and the town's finances. He provides numerous graphs, spreadsheets and statistics to support his positions.
Wolfe's message centers around the idea that Framingham's budget is spiraling out of control, and he warns of an impending budget override.
"I want to offer voters a choice," he said.

Town critic seeks Framingham Board of Selectmen seat	January 23, 2010
Dan McDonald 508-626-4416	Metrowest Daily News
FRAMINGHAM -- Harold Wolfe is, by most accounts, a polarizing figure. He's been convicted of assaulting a police officer. He's irked the local nonprofit sector by publishing addresses of social service agency leaders on his Web site. And he's aggravated town unions by flatly stating that their workers are overpaid. Now, for the fourth time, the Delmar Avenue resident is running for a seat on the Board of Selectmen. Wolfe admits this bid, like the previous three, is most likely doomed. "I don't consider myself having a chance, but you never know," he said. The self-described libertarian has made many enemies over the years, including the Police Department. He has called for Police Chief Steven Carl's resignation and says that department is not tough enough when it comes to cracking down on illegal immigration. He thinks the town should erect signs proclaiming "Illegal Immigrants Not Welcome." He also dislikes what he considers to be a preponderance of tax-exempt social service organizations in Framingham. He runs a Web site, smocingham.org, dedicated to criticizing South Middlesex Opportunity Council, which is embroiled in a controversial federal lawsuit with the town and town officials. Without a change in leadership at the Memorial Building, he says, "You're going to get higher taxes and more illegals. "Has the town improved despite all the taxes?" asks Wolfe. Another of his Web sites is called no-more-overrides.org. Wolfe turned in candidacy papers with the requisite 50 signatures this week, as did Ginger Esty, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen. His name will appear on the April 13 ballot. Thus far Esty and fellow incumbent Charlie Sisitsky, whom Wolfe says he "can't stand," will also appear on the ballot, as will longtime Planning Board member Tom Mahoney. Mahoney returned his papers Friday afternoon. There are two spots available on the board this year. Firefighter Bill Petro has taken out nomination papers, but not yet returned them, according to the town clerk's office. In 2008, Wolfe was convicted of striking a police officer. He still challenges the police version of the events and disagrees with the jury's finding, but says an appeal is not worth it. In May 2008, he was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation and was fined more than $800. A six-member jury found Wolfe guilty of grappling with Officer Greg Reardon before dawn on June 15, 2007. Wolfe, who had a tape recorder on him at the time of the incident, has posted a link to the audio on his Web site abetterframingham.org. Wolfe, 60, who has worked as a software engineer, has been retired for about five years. He's still a numbers guy. The Web site, abetterframingham.org contains several screeds regarding town police, illegal immigrants and the town's finances. He provides numerous graphs, spreadsheets and statistics to support his positions. Wolfe's message centers around the idea that Framingham's budget is spiraling out of control, and he warns of an impending budget override. "I want to offer voters a choice," he said.

Send comments to: hjw2001@gmail.com