Letter To The Editor Roundup: North Andover Town Election

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The North Andover town election, on June 2, is fast approaching. Four candidates are vying for two Board of Selectmen seats while three compete for two seats on the School Committee.

The following are letters to the editor submitted by residents endorsing candidates. Some were submitted prior to the election date change and refer to the previously-scheduled election day.

Letter to the editor from North Andover resident Karin Blake:

Serving on the North Andover Finance Committee was not always fun or easy, but the years I served with Chris Nobile on the FinCom definitely scored plusses in both categories for me.

Attributes: Listens actively. Sets positive tone for group problem solving. Comfortable exploring and mediating differing points of view. Patient with the trying. Focused on getting things done. Steady. Accessible. Civil, in every sense of the term.

This is why I found Chris to be so effective working with others in getting to 'Yes". I believe this is why Chris is such an exceptional Selectman. One I urge voters to return for a second term on March 31.

Karin Blake
North Andover

Letter to the editor from resident Stan Limpert:

I’ve known Helen Pickard for years, and will be voting for her for North Andover School Committee on March 31st. Having previously served on the School Committee for nine year, I’m impressed with Helen taking on the challenges and responsibilities of our public schools, our students, and their families. She’s energetic, engaged, thoughtful, inclusive, and respectful.

Helen’s breadth and depth of experience serve her well on the School Committee. Her years of volunteering from kindergarten to high school, starting in 2002, have shown her what students and schools need. She’s been a high school teacher and is currently an educational administrator. She’s an active working team member of the district’s Health Advisory Council, the Building Respectful Communities committee, and as the representative to CREST, a special education collaborative.

Helen continues to be a strong and thoughtful advocate for reduced class side, more funding for education, and more equitable and rewarding academic opportunities for our students. She’s very open to listening to other people’s views and ideas, and finding ways to move forward. She’s always looking for fair and practical approaches to improve educational outcomes for our students.

Helen understands the needs and potential of our school system. She is a level-headed, collaborative decision maker who will get things done by being respective, thoughtful, and mindful of other people’s views, while continuing to focus on our students, their needs, and their achievement. Join me in voting for Helen Pickard for School Committee.

Stan Limpert

Letter to the editor from resident Bill Callahan:

To the Editors:
I am writing in support of Chris Nobile’s candidacy for a second term on the Board of Selectmen. Chris is an engaged, authentic, and thoughtful voice for progress in our Town.
Chris has sought to bring more voices into the public conversation in North Andover. He’s been an advocate for community involvement in the development of the voter approved Master Plan that saw hundreds of residents participate and share their thoughts about the best way forward for North Andover. He worked to ensure that more of our Town boards’ meetings were televised, that boards and committees were filled through consistent and transparent processes and that the Selectmen would hear from them regularly. It’s vital that our Town’s government reflect the make-up of its citizens.
He’s able to roll-up his sleeves and work creatively to find solutions for our Town. Chris has worked to help bring on board a Community Support Coordinator to help link individuals in a period of crisis such as mental illness and substance abuse with the services they need. He’s helped to bring in grants for energy efficient lighting and public safety. And he’s a strong advocate for the transformational Community Fields project which is a multi- generational community hub for outdoor activity and community events.
erhaps no issue better illustrates Chris’ ability to tackle thorny issues than his leadership on retiree health insurance. Unlike our neighbors in Andover who had a contentious plan reversed, Chris chaired a subcommittee with retirees, Finance Committee members and the Town Manager’s representatives. They developed a balanced policy of increasing reserves to be able to buffer the anticipated spike in health insurance costs as the number of retirees increase while not sacrificing future Town services. His background in banking and finance as well as his ability to thoughtfully work towards consensus enabled this breakthrough. North Andover is now seen as one of the leaders statewide on this issue.
Please join me in “Choosing Chris” Tuesday, March 31st. Let’s keep North Andover moving forward.
Bill Callahan
23 Lyman Rd.
North Andover

Letter to the editor from resident Kelly Cormier:

I fully endorse incumbent Helen Pickard for School Committee.

During the past two years, I asked Helen questions related to the budget and funding for school expansion. While I am impressed with her thoughtful responses, I also appreciate the time she takes to understand my concerns. I know that with Helen remaining on the Committee, decisions will benefit not only the students currently in our school system, but future students as well.

As a North Andover resident with a four-year-old, I look at the leaders on the School Committee as those fellow residents who will most impact the planning and funding for my child’s K-12 education. I also reached out to Helen to understand her personal opinion and thoughts on town issues that the School Committee was not voting on. As Helen is an invested leader in our children’s well-being, I am impressed by her knowledge and understanding of the community impact as it relates to the future of our children.

Given the unprecedented times, I continue to look forward to Helen Pickard’s leadership and experience on the Committee.

Sincerely, Kelly Cormier

These letters were produced by North Andover residents. The views expressed are the authors' own.