North Andover Candidate Profile: Alissa Koenig For Selectman

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover will have two contested races in the March 24 town election: School Committee and Board of Selectmen. North Andover Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Alissa Koenig is running for the Board of Selectmen. There are four people running for two available seats. Koenig faces incumbent Chris Nobile and fellow challengers Lucas Noble and Laura Bates. Koenig is an attorney running for office for the first time.

Are you running for office in North Andover? Contact Christopher Huffaker at chris.huffaker@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to North Andover Patch.

Previously on Patch: Nine File To Run In North Andover Annual Town Election

Alissa Koenig

Age (as of Election Day)

37

Position Sought

Selectman

Party Affiliation

Unaffiliated

Family

Julia (19), Kohl (16), Jocelyn (4) and Owen (1)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies from The University of West Florida; Juris Doctor from New England Law

Occupation

Attorney

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

Facebook.com/ElectAlissa

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am proud of the community my family calls home. North Andover is a community devoted to families, education, safety, and each other. We bind together and uplift one another in crisis and rejoice in our growth and successes as only a community as great as ours can. It is my desire as Selectman to continue to emphasis our successes while addressing concerns around our growth in ways our town can be proud of.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

How to overcoming concerns surrounding our growth while emphasizing the quality of life our community enjoys. Our town has seen a lot of challenges and changes over the past few years and there are a lot of unanswered questions about how these changes affect our families, our safety and the education of our children in the long term. There is a lot of work to be done and I'm ready to jump in to work on bridging concerns with constructive resolutions.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I offer a fresh and down to earth perspective. I have the education, knowledge, along with negotiation and analytical skills to address issues in a creative and progressive manner that will highlight our town's values.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Work to tailor growth in a way that aligns with the quality of life and community feel our town enjoys.

Bridge community members and town government so members feel connected to resolutions and confident in the town leadership.

Focus on sustainability measures to ensure a more environmentally conscious community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In my career as an attorney, I continually work to make sure my clients’ best interests are served. Just as I advocate for the best interests of my clients’, I will tirelessly advocate for the citizens of our town to ensure the values of our community are being met.

I have also focused on initiatives around women's issues in the legal field and have worked to overcome biases women face in employment. I have a passion for advocating for what is fair and right and will bring that same passion to the North Andover Community as Selectman.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

As a mother of four and an attorney, I am no stranger to dedication and hard work and am ready to serve the town I love. I will stand up for what is right and will diligently research policy benefits and implications to use my voice in a way that counts.I will be a devoted public servant to the citizens of North Andover.

It would be my sincere honor to serve this community and I deeply appreciate your support.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.