By JON BAKER

LINCOLN  ---  James B. Spooner refers to himself as “just a plain, simple guy who wants the best for Lincoln and its people.”

That’s the reason he chose to switch from Democrat to independent, and perhaps surprisingly decided to throw his hat into the ring as a candidate for town administrator in November.
For years now, Spooner, a 73-year-old retiree residing at 1566 Lonsdale Ave., has traveled up River Road to Town Council meetings, hoping to gain sympathetic ears to concerns of his own and his Lonsdale neighbors.
More recently, he claims, his voice has been ignored.
“I’m running because I’m dissatisfied with the present leadership,” said Spooner, who is making his first run for town office.
“I don’t like the fact that, last year, I incurred a big tax increase. I also don’t like the fact that I can’t accomplish anything for the district I live in and its people.
“I speak to the people here in Lonsdale all the time, and the residents have requested a couple of things they want done, like the one-way and two-way streets that should be put back to the way they were 100 years ago,” he said.
Spooner is referring to a right of way between Lonsdale Avenue and Lonsdale-Main Street (near his home) that turned one-way last fall. “The current town administrator (T. Joseph Almond) has taken it upon himself to ignore the wishes of the people living in Lonsdale,” Spooner said.
Property taxes are unmistakably a Spooner pet peeve. “I can tell you I’m not pleased that my property taxes went up by 11 percent, and that’s the sixth year in a row,” he said. “We had a large increase, and now there’s going to be another smaller increase.
“I’m not happy about that, or alleged curbing improvements that haven’t been made in my particular location. I know there has been money appropriated for sewer lines and maintenance — those lines are 100-plus years old — and I’m wondering if that’s ever going to happen.”
Spooner worked as a clerk for the old Burrillville Racing Association, and also as a precious metals production line manager for Refinement International of Woonsocket.
He decided a few weeks ago to run against the GOP’s Almond and Democrats John D. Barr II, Louis Azar and John J. Cullen. However, it wasn’t until Wednesday morning, the final day for declaration, that he delivered his paperwork to the town clerk’s office.
“It’s just a matter of priorities,” he offered. “I’m very dissatisfied with state and town politics, more so now locally than ever.”
Among his priorities:
n First, he would study different town departments and look at their respective inefficiencies.
“I want to get the most for the taxpayer’s dollar,” he said. “I’m talking about having good, economic services to be rendered, those without adding cost to the budget. It’s about people doing their jobs efficiently, and that’s all about management.”
n Second, in most departments, he would put a stop to department heads and other employees using town vehicles for non-occupational reasons.
“Throughout this town, vehicles are being used like employees’ own personal taxicabs, taking them home or running errands,” he noted. “It’s totally unnecessary. There are certain circumstances where people need them (during non-work hours), but not to travel to and from their domiciles.”
n Third, he would take a hard look at the capital improvement budget.
“This is not a time to be spending loosely,” he stated. “We need to be more conservative. Look at the new senior center, which would cost approximately $3 million. I think it should be located closer to a bus line, to make things easier for seniors to get to it and back (home).”
Spooner likes his chances against the incumbent Almond. “Why not? Yes, if the people out there believe in an individual. Voters know what I stand for; they should, as I’ve lived here almost 50 years. Anybody who knows who I am knows what I’m all about … I will say this, I’ll always be available.
“I learned a great lesson when I was in the Marine Corps (between 1953-1961). I know exactly what they mean by ‘Semper fidelis.’ Always faithful, and that’s me to the core … Hey, I’m not as ornery as people may think. I’m just looking for the betterment of the town and its people. That’s it in a nutshell.”