Precinct: 9
Tell us a little about yourself. You can include your personal background, family, outside interests that are important to who you are as a person and a candidate.
My name is Alicia Morris, and my husband and I have lived in Lexington for 22 years. I am a librarian. Our children were educated in the Lexington Public School system.
I am interested in serving in Town Meeting as a way to give back to our wonderful Lexington community. I am particularly interested in seeing that Lexington residents of all ages feel supported by the community through supporting our schools and community center, and prioritizing important initiatives such as providing affordable housing, supporting green initiatives to protect the environment (such as preserving our tree canopy), and hardening our infrastructure against the challenges of climate change. I look forward to working with all the members to represent Precinct 9 and to lending my voice to the broader discussion of issues facing Lexington now and in the future.
How has your past experience — whether in your professional life, elected office, or as a community leader — prepared you for a role in Town Meeting?
I have long experience working in a decentralized work environment. Success requires collaboration, listening to all sides of an issue, achieving consensus, and perseverance in advocating on important issues. These are essential qualities for successful participation as a town meeting member. I have learned how to work on issues with colleagues who hold a variety of views and come to agreement on a solution that all parties can live with. I would bring this approach to working on issues before Town Meeting.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about how to address this issue?
There are many important issues to be addressed by Town Meeting including climate change, affordable housing, and schools. If I had to pick one issue important to me personally it would be working to ensure that Lexington is working to harden our infrastructure against the effects of climate change. Strengthening our tree bylaws helps by protecting our tree canopy, an important source of carbon capture. I would also expect that work around water and wastewater system improvements and capital projects take into account the future impacts of climate change as we upgrade our infrastructure. Supporting affordable housing and the infrastructure needed for residents to participate in the life of the town, and supporting the replacement of our high school are near-term projects that I would support at Town Meeting. I look forward to conversations with Precinct 9 residents and Town Meeting members about these and other important issues.