Like player, like coach: They both want to be selectman

Ben Thompson, left, and Robie Marsters

LEBANON - When Robie Marsters was coaching young Ben Thompson in the Lebanon Community baseball league 30 years ago he probably never dreamed he’d one day be competing against his former player for the position of town selectman.

But he is.

Marsters, a trucking contractor; and Thompson, who owns Thompson Auto Body, are two of four candidates looking to unseat incumbent Selectmen Chairman Robert Frizzell.

For Marsters it will be his second try for selectman, having lost to Jason Cole last June; for Thompson, it will be his first political run.

Bettie Harris-Howard and Corinna Cole round out the candidate field.

Marsters and Thompson are both lifelong residents of Lebanon and believe the town leadership is desperately in need of change.

“We need some honesty,” said Thompson. “We need someone who has a maturity level. The immaturity and unprofessionalism is getting ridiculous.”

Marsters said he wants to bring the town back to the people.

“The people should have a say,” Marsters said “There are too many secrets, too many things slid under the table, too much backroom politics.”

Both Marsters and Thompson welcome one another into the race.

“He was a good ballplayer and a good kid,” said Marsters.