This Is Why Bewtra Is Uniquely Qualified To Be Mayor: Letter

The following was submitted by Adam LaFrance. Let your voice be heard by signing up for a free account and posting.

There are several excellent, dedicated people interested in guiding our city through the next four years. In Manisha Bewtra there is someone whose knowledge, experience, and resources are well suited to this role, who is informed by a necessary human rights-based approach to municipal management, and who is uniquely qualified to be the next leader of our city.

Upon joining the Melrose Human Rights Commission, where we met, it was quickly apparent that Manisha was someone to listen and look up to. I valued her counsel as we confronted a quickly evolving social environment through 2016 and 2017. Manisha was always the right voice at the right time in helping to guide the Commission.

Manisha engaged on every level, from helping to develop a vision of the future of the commission to offering deeply considered advice on tiny but vital details. When the Commission wanted to expand community outreach, she brought experience and innovative ideas. When exploring new educational initiatives, Manisha was a wealth of resources. Manisha brought uncommon multi-dimensional empathy and rolled sleeves, boots on-the-ground experience.

Manisha continues to demonstrate her leadership as an Alderman-at-Large, in her facility with complex, important local issues ranging from recreational marijuana zoning, to water & sewer infrastructure and costs, to climate change readiness. She has led on matters such as discrimination in housing and public accommodations, and in educating and building community in a period of transition.

We are all different, in background, attitude, belief, opinion, and experience. Our differences collectively make us strong, in part why this race has been a refreshing example of grassroots democracy. Our community is stronger when we make smart choices about our leadership.

Combining competence with experience and honing the ability to manage people and circumstances effectively to realize objectives is leadership. Stepping up to challenges, inspiring trust, and willing to be an example for others, is leadership. Attending to the potential of others, learning from the past and preparing for the future, is leadership. Manisha excels at all of these. It is why I valued her partnership on the Commission and why I feel her experience is unparalleled in this race and will serve her and us well as Mayor of Melrose.

Adam LaFrance