Watson makes an ideal selectman
To the editor:
I am writing this letter to invite North Andover voters to join me in supporting Tracy Watson as one of our next selectmen. As a lifelong resident of town, a person active in our community, and a close friend of mine for many years, I am confident that Tracy has the necessary skills and experience that make her the right choice for this board.
Tracy is married to Matt Watson, and together they are raising their 5-year-old son in a community that has given us so much. She splits her professional time between managing Wood Ridge properties, off Waverley Road, and teaching classes on property management at Northern Essex Community College.
Right now, Tracy serves on the School Committee's Facilities Review Subcommittee. Tracy also serves on the Housing Partnership Committee, in addition to being a former member of the Housing Authority.
Tracy's experience and involvement in North Andover make her an ideal candidate for the Board of Selectmen. As someone who cares deeply for this town, I know that she is the right voice that we need on this board. I am excited by the opportunity to elect a talented, intelligent, and amazing individual to the Board of Selectmen. I encourage the voters of North Andover to join me in supporting Tracy Watson, by casting one of their two votes for her on March 25.
DEAN D. DELUCA
North Andover
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Quinlan has right stands on schools
To the editor:
It must be campaign season again as the papers are full of letters about how great so-and-so candidate is and how he or she deserves to be on the School Committee or Board of Selectmen. Such letters, usually written by close friends, relatives or neighbors, generally describe how good the person is. We learn for example that a particular candidate is bright, articulate and has ideas.
It's a given that all of the candidates are generally good people and most are quite smart or talented. I will give them all the nod on this. What is important to me though, and should be to all voters, is where the candidates stand on important issues.
For example, is the candidate for or against raising our taxes? Is the candidate promising new programs? If so, what? If the candidate is vying for the School Committee and promises to improve education, just how does he plan to do it? If he promises to control costs, shouldn't we find out how he proposes to do it?
The landscape is littered with good people who have run for office. Only afterwards do we find out that they had no realistic plan to implement campaign promises, or their plans ended up doing more harm than good. Many of these talented people turn out to be ill-suited for the positions they sought.
Just like that old real estate joke about location, location, location, candidates for important public office should be all about substance, substance, substance!
In my view, there is only one North Andover School Committee candidate offering a platform of substance. Mike Quinlan's vision for avoiding tax overrides is to insist on affordable teachers' and other union contracts (leaving more resources for additional academic programs and electives).
His vision for increasing academic outcomes is to raise standards in all academic subjects, in all grades, to avoid/eliminate education fads (fuzzy math, inquiry-based science, whole word reading) and to ensure a solid traditional curriculum, while increasing parental involvement.
Message: Vote for someone with substance ... not one with the feel good, fuzzy words who, when elected, is sure to come crying for property tax increases.
RALPH WILBUR
North Andover
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Nobile understands schools' challenges
To the editor:
To the School Committee Chris Nobile can bring a positive, can-do attitude, backed by his many years in financial management. On March 25, we have the opportunity to strengthen the progress that our current School Committee has made.
As a professional Chris has handled many of the challenges our schools face — fiscal constraints, contract negotiations, and program development. This takes a combination of patience, savvy and most importantly a willingness to work collaboratively. North Andover also benefits when our elected officials work together to find the best resolution for the entire town. I know Chris is committed to that.
We need to maintain a School Board that is open in their budget process and encourages public input. We have very significant choices to make in the coming years — the disposition of the Bradstreet School, construction of the pre-K building, and classroom overcrowding. Chris brings a willingness work for our town to make good long-term solutions.
In the recent League of Women Voter's "Meet the Candidate Night" you can see and hear the considerate, well grounded approach Chris can bring our School Committee. He's demonstrated a grasp of the issues necessary to address several other important priorities for maintaining educational quality in our schools. These include addressing the recommendations of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges for North Andover High School, curriculum coordination for our elementary schools, and contract negotiations in these pressing financial times.
With a son at the Atkinson School and another entering this fall, Chris is a parent passionate about ensuring the value and opportunity a good public education. His desire to represent the interests of North Andover's children is part of a long-term involvement, as Chris's children attend our schools. He will promote the benefits of our public schools and work diligently to ensure we provide the education our children and our community deserves.
This election for School Committee is also significant because two seats are open with no incumbents. My hope is that you'll also support Stan Limpert, who brings years of direct involvement with our schools and School Committee. Together Chris and Stan bring knowledge, willingness, and dedication our School Committee.
SCOTT HENDERSON
North Andover
