Candidate Profile: Mel Myler

General information

Name: Mel Myler

Age: 68

Background/education

BA, California Western University [United States International University], San Diego, CA, MA University of Michigan - Leadership in Educational Organizations. Advanced Doctoral Studies - U of M.

Experience/occupation

State President - California Teachers Association; National President Student National Education Association; Field Rep - Michigan Education Association; Home Office Administrator - Congressman James Blanchard; Executive Director - NEA New Hampshire 21 years; Executive Staff - National Education Association (Washington, DC); Consultant - KnowledgeWorks Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio. Consultant and specialist in organization and school transformation/change. Retired in 2008.

Prior elected office

No prior elective office experience.

Personal

Married to Diane Myler for 46 years. Two children: Marcy and Jason. Four grandchildren. Born and reared in Artesia, Calif. Resident of Hopkinton since 1980. Co-Founder of the Hopkinton Youth Soccer Association (now: HY Sports A). Volunteer at the . Board Member - City Year New Hampshire. Member - Concord Community Messiah Chorus. Member - Friends of the Hopkinton Town Library.

Priorities

1. Bring civility back to the legislative process

2. School Transformation/change

3. School Funding

4. Protection of employee rights

5. Jobs for the middle class by strengthening the economy

6. Fight against the increased cost on health care for seniors, women, and families

7. Respect for diverse opinions and position

Why are you running?

For the past several years, I have observed the demise of civility in our elected legislatures both in Washington, DC and across the nation. Some of our elected officials seem too have lost the concept that it is the art of finding the common ground that has made this nation and our state great. Some have decided to take an “absolutist” position on their key issues and have failed to seek out a compromise to obtain mutually attainable outcomes. Leadership means more than bullying and belittling colleagues until you get your way. Is change possible? Can one voice among 400 make a difference? I have heard that there are campfires of discontent with the current House leadership. Even within the Republican caucus, there are those who are embarrassed, are tired of being bullied, and want change. The challenge is to make these isolated campfires into a raging brush fire of transformation, bringing back the historic integrity of a chamber that can, in a respectful manner, agree to disagree without being disagreeable. I am no politician, having never sought public office, but feel it is time for me to step forward and do what I can to participate in righting a legislative ship that has lost its course.