Kouchakdjian, Roberts Running For Sudbury Select Board: Letters

SUDBURY, MA — Sudbury's 2022 election is just one month away, and two Select Board candidates are alerting voters about their campaigns.

In 2022, three people have pulled papers to run for two Select Board seats up for election. They include Eric Poch, incumbent Jennifer Roberts and former Sudbury School Committee member Lisa Kouchakdjian.

Select Board member Bill Schineller is not running for reelection in 2022.

RELATED: Sudbury 2022 Election: Who's Signed Up To Run

Here are Roberts and Kouchakdjian's announcements:

It is with great hope and optimism that I announce my candidacy for Sudbury Select Board. Having lived in Sudbury almost 24 years, I know no matter what challenge we face, this town rises to the occasion. When we work together as one community, amazing things happen. That’s what my candidacy is all about.

I can’t remember a time in my 24 years in Sudbury when there was this much opportunity to strengthen our town. What we choose to do in the next three years will determine our future in almost every way. That’s why this year’s election is so important.

I have spent the last decade advocating for our students, our seniors, and equity for all. As a Sudbury School Committee member for 6 years, I helped to build one of the best and most inclusive public-school districts in the Commonwealth. Today Sudbury Public Schools strives to meet the needs of all students; from the most advanced learners, to the needs of differently abled students with strong in-district programs.

As a Select Board member, I would continue to work tirelessly to improve the lives of everyone in our community.

We have a lot to look forward to: maintaining and further strengthening our schools, protecting and preserving a green Sudbury, and recreation opportunities that other towns envy, including the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Broadacres, Sewataro and the unlimited potential of the Liberty Ledge property.

But here’s the catch: we can only succeed on these issues if we have a Select Board that speaks in one voice on behalf of the entire town.

As a Select Board member, I will proactively seek engagement with residents on all issues so that your voice is always heard. We also have phenomenal volunteerism in Sudbury, and I will make it a priority to listen to the volunteers on our committees and commissions. That’s how I served on committees and commissions for the last ten years, and that’s how I would serve on the Select Board.

If you believe in responsive, unified and representative town leadership, I’m humbly asking for your vote.

If you want to learn more, I’ll be working hard to earn your vote in the coming weeks, and I’m grateful for the opportunity. Visit www.GoLisa.org to learn more about me and how you can get involved. You can also follow my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/golisa.org

Let’s go, Sudbury!

—Lisa Kouchakdjian, Sudbury

It has been my honor to serve Sudbury on the Select Board since 2019, and it is my pleasure to seek re-election for another term. I ask for your vote on March 28 so I can continue to advance important initiatives for the community. As the present Select Board Chair, I bring proven leadership, a broad skill set, a measured and collaborative style, and a results-driven work ethic, all which have helped me lead during this recent period of both challenge and opportunity. Sudbury is a wonderful place to live and work. It uniquely combines a rural, historic character with a strong residential housing market, excellent schools, and a commercial sector that offers vital services. As a Select Board member, I have successfully balanced these factors when creating policy and making decisions. I approach all issues by researching the facts, evaluating matters critically, and finding strategic solutions.

Throughout my first term, I identified needs of the community while working to address challenges and pursue new opportunities. I can proudly say that every Select Board goal I have led has been achieved, including:

• Creation of Select Board Financial Policies
• Approval of the Fairbank Community Center
• Approval of the Route 20 Fire Station
• Acquisition of the CSX rail corridor to advance Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

These accomplishments and many others have been the result of my hard work, determination, organization, and successful partnership with the Select Board, Town staff, residents, and various boards, committees, and commissions.

I am deeply committed to Sudbury as an elected official, resident, and parent of children in Sudbury schools. The Select Board has made significant progress, and there is more work to be done toward: COVID-19 pandemic recovery, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund distribution, Bruce Freeman Rail Trail construction, smart economic development, Fairbank Community Center construction, Master Plan implementation, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative advancement, and expansion of actions to foster environmental sustainability. I will pursue these goals in a fiscally responsible manner, leveraging the Select Board’s newly created Financial Policies.

Please visit robertsforsudbury.com to learn more about my work on the Select Board, professional and public service background, and positions on issues. If you have comments or questions, please email me at robertsforsudbury@gmail.com.

In my next term, I will continue to lead effectively and achieve results for you, the residents of Sudbury. I respectfully ask for your vote on March 28.

—Jennifer Roberts, Sudbury

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the number of Select Board seats up for election in 2022.