Precinct: 2
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 wife, Anita, and I are 25 years-long residents of Lexington, where we live, along with our 17-year-old son. We both moved to Massachusetts to attend college (MIT and Mount Holyoke), liked the state, and so we stayed. When we got married, we moved to Lexington, attracted to its diversity, excellent schools, and history. We were especially attracted to East Lexington due to its access to MBTA bus lines and many amenities within walking distance.
We enjoy outdoor activities, such as biking and hiking. We are active in the ministries of our church, Sacred Heart, and I am a member of the Lexington Minute Men re-enactment group. We try to live a low-carbon footprint lifestyle, including avoiding using a clothes dryer, keeping our house cool in winter, biking, walking, or frequently using public transportation.
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 believe the most important characteristic of a Town Meeting Member is to feel a responsibility to ensure the continuation of our high quality of life and, hence, to put in the time and effort to understand the Town Warrant articles. This entails reading the warrant thoroughly, reading the emails on the user’s group to understand other’s perspectives, and listening to neighbors’ concerns. One must have a willingness to fully understand other’s concerns before reaching a conclusion. I have demonstrated these traits in the ten years I have served as a Town Meeting Member and in my involvement in other volunteer organizations.
What is the most important issue in this election to you personally, and what ideas do you have about addressing this issue?
I value our town’s schools, diversity, and history, and I know my fellow Members share my concerns. One Member responsibility I take very seriously is the responsibility for Members to ensure that the town government acts in a fiscally responsible manner. The town’s diversity needs to include a diversity of ages and incomes. Yet high town spending leads to high town taxes. High taxes are a barrier to many who desire to live or remain in our town. High tax rates encourage our neighbors to leave town once their children have finished with the school system. I prefer to see a town where all who come to live here can remain for as long as they wish.
I work as an engineer. It is very common when discussing a solution that different engineers will propose different solutions. The most important feature of such discussions is to realize that people with different ideas are acting in good faith, and their opinions need to be respected. It is important to ensure that you have fully educated yourself on the issues and that you are not just arguing from a position of ego.
It is also important to realize that although you are likely to be in general agreement on the desired result, there is a good chance that people value aspects of the end goal differently and that these subjective opinions will not change. In those cases, you need to argue respectfully. But if the group chooses a different solution, you need to accept the consensus and continue to view your former opponents as valued contributors.
I am running for re-election as a Town Meeting Member because it is important for me to give back to the community that has been my home for 25 years. During this time, I have come to value living in Lexington and see it as a special place. I want to see its high quality of life continue and feel a responsibility to work to facilitate that. Some of the characteristics of Lexington that make it a great place to live are its diverse population, excellent schools, and important history. I believe it takes concern and work from its citizens to ensure the continuation of this heritage. Lexington has a long tradition of self-governance and I will work to successfully continue that tradition.
I thank you for taking the time to read these candidate essays and ask for your support in the election.