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 family has been a proud and involved member of the Lexington community since 1990. Our three children attended Harrington, Diamond, and LHS. I hold an MBA, am a board-certified medical technologist, and am a proud grandmother. I have spent my time volunteering for many organizations and committees, including those that are school-based (PTAs, FOLMADS, BOLD), community-based (Hayden Synchronized Skating Teams, William Diamond Jr Fife and Drum Corps, Lexington History Museums), and government-based (No Idling, Sidewalk, Crematorium Committees, 300th and 250th events, Town Meeting, and Lexington and Minuteman School Committees). I enjoy spending time with our grandchildren, walking the many ACROSS trails, traveling, and wearing my colonials whenever appropriate.
Why are you running for Town Meeting?
Understanding well the balance that is needed between municipal and school governance through both my professional work and many volunteer positions undertaken over the last 35 years, Town Meeting is a vehicle that blends the needs and challenges of both realms so that neither work in parallel paths to the other. Transparency and shared purpose are key while taking into account fiscal responsibility with the needs of all residents.
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?
As a long-time advocate of public health and public education, I have used my Lexington experience gained through numerous volunteer, appointed, and elected positions to develop policy and curriculum, evaluate the school-based built environment, and to foster a sense of community in jumpstarting effective strategic planning around a number of topics. As the statewide coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program, I work to promote sustainable student transportation among schools, municipalities, and community organizations around the Commonwealth. In combination with my local nonprofit board and committee work, I bring much institutional memory and experience to Town Meeting regarding the budget, policy, and planning.