Butler Smythe for Blue Hill Select Board 
April 1, 2022 

     There is a lot facing the town in the coming years, with much that needs to be done to address the economy of the town, its infrastructure, and the sustainability of its value to the region. That’s why I’m running for a 3-year seat on the Blue Hill Select Board. My efforts for Broadband since 2015 and specifically for the last 3.5+ years through Peninsula Utility for Broadband (www.peninsulautility4broadband.org), have helped to get us to where we are today with the recent award by NTIA for Fiber to the Premise for the entire Blue Hill Peninsula. 
     A short list of things I believe in - backed by a need to be Proactive in all of them:
  • Comprehensive Plan (this has to happen)
  • Town road repair and continued maintenance
  • Wastewater Treatment facility survivability
  • Climate change impacts - roads, docks and other infrastructure
  • Better communication - government to residents
  • Better working relationship with other towns
  • Economic Development 
  • Safer Crosswalks
  • Preemptive issue resolution
  • An efficient and more cost-effective Public Works Plan
            I’ve participated in over 100 Select Board meetings, was as a member of the Main Street committee, past board member of Nichols Day Camp, Blue Hill Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, and Membership Chair for KYC, current Blue Hill Planning Board member and participant in the Peninsula Tomorrow conversations, and current Secretary & Treasurer of Duffy-Wescott Post 85 - working a major $500K plus restoration of the original 1833 Blue Hill Academy building. 
            Growing up in Philadelphia, PA and Rochester, NY, with some summertime in Blue Hill, I retired from the Navy in ‘98 after being based for many years on the west coast and overseas, filling squadron, flight and systems instructor, and major staff duties. I subsequently became a contractor supporting NASA at Goddard Space Flight Center for Orbiter experiment development and flight (3 yrs). Then moved on to support Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, MD, for EA-6B and EA-18G engineering and test – while at the same time being a company Director for Engility Corporation, responsible for my 150 company and subcontractor personnel and their supporting contracts (12 yrs).  

What I stand for:
  1. I will work to make sure we are proactive in addressing the needs of the town – from roads to the internet to support the economic viability of the Town of Blue Hill. 
  2. I will address the lack of job opportunities through economic and resources actions.
  3. I will work to support, correct and develop Ordnances that enable growth, entrepreneurship (i.e. food vendors and others who serve demands not otherwise fulfilled), and support common sense technologies with room for adherence to public concerns.
  4. I will recuse myself from any vote that would affect any personal economic interests and expect that of others.
  5. I will develop clear and viable town incentives for businesses that might be unable to relocate here otherwise.
  6. I will actively ensure there are clear communications with all other peninsula towns for common and connected issues - such as the lack of good Internet connectivity for all. 
  7. I will work for and am willing to achieve transparent and consistent communication with all. I am actively connected to the Internet, email and phone, and use them all. 
  8. I will do all I can to ensure that positive change is at the forefront of the town’s Mission Statement and the Town’s actions. 
  9. I will ensure that we treat and support our Town employees with the utmost respect and adherence to State Policies and Procedures.
  10. I will work to make sure we communicate with our town and those that we work with, and need to work with, as our economic and environmental challenges evolve. This is a position that serves the Town of Blue Hill and helps to support those communities we work with – all of them. ​