DiFruscio, Funicella vying for Jackson selectman seat

After a year out of office, former five-term selectman Frank DiFruscio is back on the ballot. Gino Funicella, who came up short in his bid for selectman last year, is running against him. Both candidates believe they have the town's best interests at heart."The idea of getting involved again is kind of exciting," DiFruscio, who has lived here for 23 years, said. "Having a year off was a good thing for me. It gave me time to refresh myself. When people heard that Scott (Hayes) wasn't going to run again I had a lot of people call and ask me to consider running. Getting a call from Scott encouraging me to run really helped me make my decision so here we go again.""I'd like to sort of bridge the gap that appears to be there between the natives and the near natives, who have been here for say 15 to 25 years, and those people who have just arrived in town over the last five to 10 years," he continued. "I think everyone has the same desire to keep Jackson the beautiful place it is. I think one of my strengths is being able to get everyone involved. In my 15 years as selectman I was always available and my phone number was and still is in the book so people can call me at any time. I will make sure everyone is treated equal."Funicella who moved to the Granite State from Massachusetts 16 years ago, has lived in Jackson for the past five years. He cited his background in business as a former director of a major corporation as an asset to the town as he's familiar with budgets. He's also run his own consulting business to show people how to set up recycling facilities and was a heavy equipment court witness."I want to get involved," he said. "I'd like to bring my background into the town and help in building the town's future."Both say they are looking out for the taxpayer. "My taxes have doubled in just five years," Funicella said, "and they may double again in the next five years. I think we have to be fiscally responsible... I think the revaluation (of property) is going to cause a big stir, but it had to be done. One of the things I promise if elected I will never make a major change or decision on any town matter without first bringing it to the people. When the selectmen gave a license to the (Snowflake) Inn, I think they should have waited and given the citizens a chance to vote on the land. I really don't think the will of the people was considered strongly enough. My problem is with the original decision. If it had just been brought to the people and they had been given a chance to decide as a town that would have been fine. At least everyone would have had a chance to say their piece and then we would have moved on.""I think all in all this town runs very well," he continued. "Scott Hayes has done an outstanding job in the last four years. His are big shoes to fill. I thought long and hard before deciding to run. I think I can help the town. My whole purpose is to try and do my part and try to make the town better than when I first came here."DiFruscio, who served on the board when the Snowflake Inn application was approved, said the property had been on the market for some time and citizens never approached selectmen about purchasing it. "That property had been for sale for a little over a year," he said. "No one ever asked us to consider buying it. The owner of the property asked us to consider buying it and then entering into a long-term lease with the Jack Frost Shop, but our attorney advised us against that. We all have to remember there was a big for sale sign on that property for a long time and no one ever came to us. In fact the owner even went to the chamber of commerce to see if anyone was interested in buying it and no one was."The candidates differ on their thoughts on the proposed helicopter ordinance, which would prohibit helicopter pads in town. "My position is if the helicopter is coming to the town on an emergency situation it's okay," Funicella said. "My problem with the helicopter landing site in question is that it's very close to the location of our school building. My concern is if we allow this in that general area, with the way the winds blow and the weather, we could have a real tragedy on our hands some day. You don't land a helicopter the same way you land a plane, that's my biggest concern. I wouldn't be opposed if you had 50 or 60 acres on the backside of town. The danger here is we could get four or five of them landing on a busy weekend personally I'm against that sort of situation.""I think it's up to the people," DiFruscio said, "they're the ones who should have the ultimate decision. Helicopters have always been landing in town off and on for years and I don't know that they've been a nuisance. It's never really been a problem and I don't know if it is now."Voting is Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at town hall.