To the editor:

I strongly support Tom Ulfelder’s re-election to the Select Board and ask you to join me in voting for Tom on Tuesday, March 7. During my term on the Advisory Committee and as its Chair, I had an opportunity to work with Tom and was impressed with his preparation and ability to find solutions to often complicated issues while building broad support.

Tom has been a leader throughout the challenges presented by COVID and its impact on Wellesley’s commercial interests. In 2020, Tom not only recognized the need to implement changes in the town budget but did so understanding that residents and businesses needed reassurance and support. As we emerged from the worst of the pandemic, Tom supported changes in the town’s alcohol regulations and seating requirements for restaurants serving alcohol that led to the remarkable expansion of excellent restaurants in town. Often working quietly, Tom has consistently supported the town’s commercial and retail community. This includes securing a lease extension for a valued well-established business and expanded hours for another. Tom’s goal is to always do what’s right without regard for personal benefit.

Tom’s concern for the town’s retail businesses is evident in his effort to approach planning differently, advocating for an approach that integrates economic development, housing, and sustainability. Tom believes that businesses will benefit from housing located closer to our retail districts, which will decrease vehicular traffic and increase foot traffic through the retail districts encouraging stores to remain open later, which will increase sales.

Tom is the Select Board candidate best suited to support Wellesley’s commercial interests. His business experience enables him to build consensus as he tackles complex issues designed to best support our commercial sector. He has demonstrated an ability to build the strong base for success that businesses need over the long term. Tom has made clear his commitment to greater resident participation in the planning process to assure that commercial growth and increased housing remain consistent with the needs and expectations of residents living nearby. Tom believes the interests of our businesses and residents can coexist as long as growth and development  reflect the character of the town and the reasons people live and work here.

Please join me in voting for Tom on March 7. Wellesley needs his leadership and experience.

Tom Skelly
Wellesley resident

To the editor:

I was the Chair of the Open Space Management Study Committee that created the Natural Resources Commission way back when. I also served on the NRC and was its first Chair. The ideal candidate for the NRC is a person who understands the environment, or natural resources in general, and our government. Jaden has that background. I urge you to vote for Jaden to help fulfill the original purpose of the NRC to protect the natural resources and open space in Wellesley.
Mary Ann Cluggish
First NRC Chairperson, Commissioner
Town Meeting Member, Precinct G

In 2019 the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission signed a statement that declared a climate emergency. This is based upon a consensus of world climate scientists. It states that the Wellesley NRC commits to educate the public and Town Boards about the impacts of climate change. It also says that the NRC will explicitly consider the climate emergency in all its decision making. Jaden Crawford is the one candidate running for NRC this year who I believe understands this to his core. He has a collaborative approach to working with others and will bring his insight and experience to the Commission on all matters under the jurisdiction of the NRC.
Maureen Febiger
Past NRC Commissioner

I am voting for and support Jaden Crawford for NRC. I was an NRC commissioner for 20 years and a two-time Chair of the NRC. I was also a Community Preservation Committee Member for 15 years. The stated mission of the NRC is to preserve, protect, and enhance the town’s open space. I believe Jaden will focus on maintaining and improving our open space consistent with the NRC’s mission and the Town’s Climate Action Plan. Jaden has the experience in clean energy programs, technology, and regulations that will serve him well in this role. He is motivated to help the NRC dedicate attention to its stated responsibilities to the town at this critical time!
Joan Gaughan
Past NRC Chairperson, Commissioner
Past Community Preservation Committee Member
Town Meeting Member, Precinct E
Trails Committee
Wellesley Conservation Land Trust Member

Jaden Crawford has my support for the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission (NRC). The NRC holds broad jurisdictional powers over conservation areas, parkland, public shade trees, pest control and pesticide use, and our town forest and watershed. Jaden’s daily actions align with these purposes and demonstrate his unwavering commitment to caring for natural assets. He understands, and will execute, the full mission of the NRC and bring balance to the board. Having served for eight years as a Natural Resources Commissioner in Wellesley, I believe our Town will be well served with Jaden as a Commissioner. He possesses integrity, good judgment, and speaks truth to power. Please join me in voting for Jaden on March 7 in a contested race.
Raina McManus
Past NRC Chairperson, Commissioner
Town Meeting Member, Precinct E

To the editor:

I am writing to support the candidacy of Catherine Mirick for School Committee. I believe that School Committee is the hardest job in town. It requires the balancing of numerous very legitimate interests, advocated by very passionate people. I believe that Catherine has shown the ability to balance and process the input from different points of view in a calm, intelligent and kind manner.  When it is her turn to speak at Town Meeting, I know that a thoughtful and insightful remark is about to come. As a member of the Municipal Light Board, I find that it is easy and productive to work with Catherine when she represents the School Committee. I believe that Catherine is exactly the type of person we need on the School Committee and I ask Wellesley citizens to join me in voting for her.

Paul Criswell
Wellesley resident, Precinct H

Dear Wellesley Community,

My name is Christina Horner, and I am honored to announce my candidacy for Wellesley School Committee. I am invested in Wellesley and have lived in the community for 27 years.

I bring 30 years of experience as a teacher, METCO leader and educational consultant to this work. I bring the wisdom of an educator who has worked nationally with multiple stakeholders to deliver educational excellence and equity. My experience,
coupled with my volunteerism both locally and statewide, will be valuable assets to our schools.

My priorities for School Committee are: excellence, equity, and empathy for all students, teachers and staff. Working together we have the potential to meet each student where they are and achieve our goals with a concerted effort by our community!

Our schools are currently gathering community input for the five-year strategic plan. Once elected, I will help ensure that the strategy fosters excellence, transparency and equitable community engagement building relationships across disciplines and working to support all students and teachers.

I have the experience to recognize and appreciate the valuable assets brought by every member of each school community. Teachers are fundamental to achieving our goals and are crucial in the development of our youth. As a School Committee member, I will prioritize supporting our teachers so they can best support our students. As a School Committee member, I will strive to enable all teachers, staff, and students to maximize their potential.

School Committee will benefit by an active partnership where we listen to and work to understand the needs of everyone in our district including our amazing parents/caregivers, teachers/staff, as well as businesses, non-profits, and other organizations. We can work collaboratively to provide more real world experiences through project-based learning, as well as developing 21st century skills through increased internship and externship opportunities. Aligning policies, positions, and funding to our core values will drive educational excellence.

My 30 years of experience includes:

● Parent of 3 children who attend(ed) WPS
● Current director in the Great Schools Partnership—a Maine based organization pursuing educational excellence and equity. We support more than 80 organizations including school and local educational associations, school-based educators, parents/caregivers, and students.
● Teacher and METCO liaison in the Weston Public Schools, where I graduated as a participant in the METCO program
● Director of the Lincoln METCO program

I serve as a co-president of World of Wellesley working collaboratively to support projects to foster an anti-racist and anti-biased community. I served as the Girl Scout Troop Leader for 6 years while my daughter attended Sprague Elementary School. I proudly serve as a member of Town Meeting in Precinct B.

I humbly ask that you exercise your right to vote, and I ask you to vote for me for School Committee.

Please take the opportunity to learn more about me, by visiting my website at electchristinahorner.com

Thank you for your consideration.

Christina Horner
Summit Road
Wellesley, MA 02482
electchristinahorner@gmail.com

To the editor:

We are writing today to share our support of Catherine Mirick for re-election to the School Committee. Catherine has served on the School Committee for the past three years, including a year as Chair. During this time, she has worked to balance many priorities and challenges our schools have faced.

We got to know Catherine as we advocated for the building of new elementary schools projects that, with Catherine’s support, are currently underway at both Hardy and Hunnewell. We found Catherine to be accessible, thoughtful and engaged. Catherine took time to educate herself on the details of the school sites. It was not uncommon when raising a concern or question to have Catherine start with, “When I was out walking the site this weekend. . .”

Catherine has advocated for these elementary school facilities throughout the process including bringing forth funding requests at Town Meeting. She participates in Permanent Building Committee meetings as the School Committee liaison for Hunnewell and the alternate for Hardy, and has attended countless stakeholder meetings to ensure the new facilities meet the needs of educators, students and our community as a whole. Continuation of this institutional knowledge on the School Committee is critical to see these projects through to fruition. Catherine is the only candidate who can provide this benefit to the town.

Please join us in voting for Catherine Mirick for School Committee on March 7.

Niki Ofenloch
Hunnewell Parent
Sabrina Road

Tanya Lisowsky
Hardy Parent
Fells Road

To the editor,

I am writing in strong support of Tom Ulfelder for re-election to the Select Board and ask you to join me in voting for Tom on Tuesday, March 7. I worked closely with Tom as a member of the HHU School Building Committee and of the Advisory Committee. In both positions, I had an opportunity with Tom to work through difficult and contentious issues, and I was always impressed with Tom’s ability to express his opinion, listen to others, change his mind, and respect and support the majority opinion.

Tom is a strong and articulate advocate for his positions, but at the same time someone who highly values the position and reasoning of others. Tom is a flexible thinker who welcomes information from different sources, and upon reaching a conclusion explains how he reached his decision. Whether Tom and I agreed or not, I always felt that he listened and valued my perspective. As a member of Advisory, I saw Tom present material and respond to questions in a way that showed a deep understanding of the issue and an ability to respond effectively to challenging questions.

Tom has been an important voice in town government throughout the pandemic. He has been an effective leader through a very difficult time. Tom’s commitment to building consensus and broad support, to reaching out and asking people to participate, exemplifies his belief that leadership is about drawing out the facts and different perspectives in order to reach a decision. Tom recognizes that effective governance requires an approach that draws out diverse perspectives, and values a process through which we reach decisions while ensuring that everyone is heard.

Vote for Tom on March 7. Wellesley needs his thoughtful, professional leadership.

Patti Quigley
Fairbanks Ave.

To the editor:

As an active and involved member of the Wellesley community for the past nine years, and a parent of three school-aged children, I am writing to express my strong support for Tom Ulfelder for Select Board in the upcoming Wellesley Town Election. Tom has served as a member of the Select Board for the past six years, and I look forward to casting my vote for his re-election on March 7th.

Tom’s experience and expertise make him an ideal candidate for the position. His qualifications include professional experience in law, business, and hospital administration, providing him with the skills necessary to perform the duties of a Select Board member. When tasked with decision-making on matters outside of his areas of expertise, Tom takes the time to engage with the experts as he learns and works toward consensus. He has developed strong working relationships across many Town boards, committees, and departments by being a good listener, valuing civil discourse, and maintaining a respectful communication style.

Tom’s priorities align with mine. He wants to continue the post-pandemic development of Wellesley’s retail business community, recognizes the critical importance of sustainability, and strongly supports the Wellesley Public Schools. I also appreciate Tom’s balanced perspective on improving the diversity and affordability of housing options in Wellesley while maintaining the character of the Town.

I feel fortunate that Tom is willing to continue to serve our community. Please join me in supporting Tom Ulfelder for the Select Board on March 7th.

Seana Gupta
Bay State Road
www.electtomulfelder.com