Meet Barnstable Town Council Candidate Eric Steinhilber

BARNSTABLE, MA — Local elections in Barnstable are less than a month away, and Patch is determined to help residents get to know their candidates for council and school committee.

Patch has sent candidate questionnaires to each of the candidates that will appear on the ballot in a contested race for each of those positions.

Eric Steinhilber is seeking re-election on Barnstable's Town Council in Precinct 2. Here's why he's running in 2023.

Name

Eric R. Steinhilber

How old will you be as of Election Day?

48

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here.

https://www.ericforbarnstable....

What city or town do you live in?

Hyannis

What office are you seeking?

Town Council

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here.

Precinct 2

Education.

MBA, Master of Business Administration & BA, Political Science

What is your occupation?

Real estate and non-profit sector

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them.

My wife Jenn and I are both Barnstable natives and graduates of Barnstable High. We have two kids, Mary and David, who are both currently in the Barnstable School system. At last but not least, we have two beagles, Pongo and Walt.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I have the honor of serving as the Town Councilor for Precinct 2

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I was born in Barnstable, grew up in Barnstable, graduated from Barnstable High, and now work and raise my kids, along with my wife, in Barnstable. It has always been home, and I want to ensure that our kids and grandkids are able to afford to stay, live, and raise their kids here. I want to build on our progress and continue the work to protect Wequaquet Lake and our surrounding waters, lower the burden on our taxpayers, ensure safe communities and a thriving economy for our residents, and make Barnstable the best it possibly can be.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is \_\_\_, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As a Town Councilor, we have been able to increase the supply and protection of our drinking water and develop a wastewater management plan to protect our lakes and ponds. In our Precinct, the health of the Wequaquet Lake is a main priority. I was able to save taxpayers by reducing the sewer assessment cost, attaining third-party funding, and developing a variety of financing options. I will continue to block efforts to increase the assessment on residents or delay sewering, which will imperil the Lake.

In addition, it has become extremely difficult for our kids and grandkids to stay in Barnstable. Without a $200,000 income to attain a mortgage or increased rental options, our families will not be able to stay on Cape. The lack of housing has depleted our Police force, medical providers are unable to properly staff, schools are struggling to attract teachers, and small businesses are closing or limiting hours due to staff shortages. I am focused on continuing to create attainable homeownership and year-round rental opportunities to ensure our economy can continue to function and grow, our kids are able to stay here, and we can continue to have a safe community.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience, knowledge of the complex issues we face, the ability to find common-sense solutions, and being a resource for factual information, not a messenger of disinformation. We are a town of 50,000 people with 2 coastlines, 7 villages, 8 schools, a regional commercial, medical, and transportation hub, the 4th largest road system in the state, and a budget of nearly $200 million. We face difficult challenges, but I have delivered positive results-standing with taxpayers, leading on water quality, and advocating for our kids and a safe community.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I will continue to be accessible to residents, seek common-sense solutions, and a voice against disinformation, fake rumors, and personal attacks that only seek to divide our community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

We have made tremendous progress in my time on the Town Council and I have delivered for the residents of Precinct 2 and for the community. I have accelerated the timetable for sewering to save Wequaquet Lake, cut the sewer assessment cap cost-saving homeowners $7,000, secured $32M to date for sewer expansion and improved road drainage around the Lake, saved taxpayers and Hyannis water ratepayers over $16M, created zoning incentives to eliminate blighted properties increasing public safety, and saved taxpayers $4M in road re-paving expenses for Phinney's Lane (set to begin next month).

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Don't bring problems, bring solutions

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want to thank my neighbors for their past support and for allowing me to serve as their Town Councilor. Together, we have faced complex issues these past 10 years and I have worked to deliver positive results. I have stood strong with taxpayers, been a leader in improving water quality, and an advocate for a robust economy and a safer community for our families. With critical finance and infrastructure decisions ahead, that will affect each of us, experience and a clear understanding of the issues matter, and I humbly ask for your vote on November 7th.