MIDDLEBORO — Thomas White is challenging two incumbents for a seat on the Select Board and hopes to bring “integrity and honesty’’ to the position.

“There’s too many inconsistencies,’’ he said.. “Too much bickering on the board, too much back and forth. That doesn’t seem professional to me.’’

“Communication’’ is key to issues, he said. “Anger isn’t going to solve it.’’ 

He said he can help combat that tension. “I don’t anger people,’’ he said. “I bring people together.’’

One example of that, he said, was his involvement in Build It for Robin’s Children, a charity effort he helped undertake about 10 years ago. When death left two children without parents, they were taken in by an aunt and uncle who lived on Sproat Street.

But their home, where their own children were already living, was too crowded. White stepped in, bringing in fellow electrical workers and other community members to add on to the home and give the family the room to rebuild their lives. 

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,’’ he said. “I became family with this family.’’ By working on projects like this, “people make friendships.’’ 

He has served in other community capacities, he said, including on the Housing Authority and his current role on the board of directors of the Council on Aging. 

A major issue he hopes to tackle if elected to the select board is the state mandate to allow more housing near the MBTA station. “We need to negotiate with the state,’’ he said. “I’m not against helping people, but the town can’t accommodate’’ the impact on the infrastructure.

He also said the state should add another exit/entrance to and from the station so riders can “go in and out without affecting’’ local traffic. 

The train station issue, he said, is “being shoved down our throat.’’

The future of the Pierce Building, an historic building downtown that has been discussed as a possible small business incubator and arts center with a potential $5 million price tag, could lie in a private business, he said. 

“Townspeople can’t handle another tax increase,’’ he said. “There’s people that can’t afford to put food on the table. How do you ask people to pony up the money for it? I’m for it, but not at a cost to the taxpayers.’’

He has another idea, one that would involve a private investor. “I’m a true supporter of the arts. I’d love to see a dinner theater. That would cover all the bases. We need an investor….We need to find someone willing to pay. ‘’

He said one strength of the town is its open space, “our parks and trails…town properties for children and families to enjoy together.’’ 

But there is another asset, he said: The residents themselves. 

“People of this town do work together,’’ he said. “I proved it with Build It for Robin’s Children. I think I can do it as a select person.’’