Opinion: More Endorsements In Wilmington Selectmen's Race

WILMINGTON, MA -- The following letters were submitted ahead of the town election on April 27. In the six-way race for two selectmen's seats, incumbents Greg Bendel and Kevin Caira are being challenged by Robert Fasulo Jr., Mark Maselli, Daniel Murphy and Suzanne Sullivan. Kevin MacDonald, Daryn Marsh and Jomarie O'Mahony are running in the three-way race forthe remaining year in the term on a vacant seat.

Sullivan, Fasulo Are The Right Choice In Historic Election

It is with extreme honor and without any hesitation that I write to endorse Rob Fasulo and Sue Sullivan for Selectman of Wilmington.

Following two tours in Iraq and honorable discharge from the US Army, my wife and I were looking for a home where we could set down roots. My wife enjoyed the conveniences of the city while I preferred the quiet of the country. After much research we found our happy medium and perfect town, Wilmington. Seven years and two children later we know we made the right choice.

Soon after moving to town my wife called Rob Fasulo to ask a simple question about her new-found bee keeping hobby. Rob not only offered advice, he came to the house to lend a hand. Two things we learned about8 Rob- He has a deep appreciation and respect for veterans, and he takes great pride in the town of Wilmington. Not only has he grown up here, he is also raising his three children here. He volunteers his time to attend town meetings and pushes for change when he believes the citizens are not being fairly represented.

April 27th will be a historical day in our town. Three of the board seats are open and who gets elected will determine the future of our town. Although we love Wilmington my wife and I share some concerns. The first is growth, just from my front lawn I can see three new homes that went up in the past year. And it seems construction is everywhere. I am also hearing of multiple condo units going up in the next few years. While I love that our town is expanding for more families to enjoy I worry that this growth maybe happening too fast and without a plan. How will be accommodate our police department? Fire department? Our schools? When my wife signed my son up for kindergarten last month, she overheard the school was close to capacity with only 11 slots left (and more registration days ahead). Also, Wilmington high school went from being able to serve 1020 children to 960. Knowing the town is growing in population why in the world are we building smaller schools? Rob Fasulo is for responsible growth and wants to work with the town on a realistic plan to aid public services in how to navigate the town’s ever-increasing population.

Our second concern is the Olin site. After moving to town, we began hearing rumblings about this site and the dangers to resident’s health. Looking further we began reading about Sue Sullivan. A mom who felt SO passionately about the health of our town’s children she spearheaded a movement to get the site tested and is still working hard to get the site cleaned. My wife and I did a bit of research into Olin and what we uncovered is down right SCARY. As a town this is not a “pretty” topic to discuss-but this NEEDS to be something the town recognizes and deal with. As of last week we heard the Olin site will be entered into the Administrator’s Emphasis List for Superfund sites for “immediate intense action”. This is a VERY significant turn of events and I feel it is imperative and in the best interest of the town to have Sue Sullivan on the board of selectman. There is no one more knowledgeable about this site and its dangers to our town’s people than Sue and I know without a doubt she will fight to get the site clean. 2019 marks the 20th year since the Olin site’s cancer study and we still do not have answers. In order for our town’s true interest to be protected Rob Fasulo and Sue Sullivan need to be elected.

Wilmington is a fantastic town but we still have a number of issues that need resolve. I firmly believe that Sue Sullivan and Rob Faluso will do the job! Rob and Sue come from opposite sides of the political spectrum but have come together threw their passion to make Wilmington the best it can be. I know without a doubt they will work tirelessly to represent our town keeping in mind our elderly, veterans, children, families and public service workers.

I ask you to consider both Sue Sullivan and Rob Fasulo when casting your votes April 27th.

Sincerely,

Zachary Kysar

Wilmington

Caira, Bendel Offer Experience

Dear Editor and Wilmington Residents,

I am writing to express my sincere and heartfelt endorsement and support of Greg Bendel and Kevin Caira for the Board of Selectmen. Both have demonstrated their commitment to supporting education, veterans’ affairs, elderly services, combating the opioid crisis, infrastructure improvements, and public safety. They are thoughtful leaders and deeply committed to public service.

Selectmen Bendel and Caira have worked tirelessly for the residents of Wilmington as elected members of The Board of Selectmen. Their commitment to our town has been evidenced in many ways. They were strong advocates for funding Wilmington’s full-time Health and Recovery Coordinator. As an educator, parent and voter, I am struck by their ability to address this epidemic with a myriad of solutions, compassion and care. Additionally, they have advocated for funding for our schools and have supported improvement projects throughout our community. Mr. Caira remains very active in Wilmington Alumni fundraising activities and I also had the distinct pleasure of working alongside Mr. Bendel during the Superintendent Screening Committee last winter. His knowledge as an educator and his dedication to the process served the committee well.

Selectmen Bendel and Caira’s community volunteerism and public service are among the finest examples of any citizens I know. I am in awe of their ability to dedicate such tremendous time to their work on The Board of Selectmen while also maintaining such a strong presence at our community and school events. I am committed to the continued progress of our town and grateful that Selectmen Bendel and Caira remain committed to their positions. Please join me in casting your vote on April 27th for Greg Bendel and Kevin Caira for The Board of Selectmen.

Very truly yours,

Jennifer Bryson

Wilmington

Meaningful Change Starts With Fasulo, Sullivan

The upcoming selectman’s election on Saturday April 27th may be the most critical election in the history of our town. With 3 seats on the line the outcome of this election will determine the future direction of Wilmington. The choice is simple. If you like the direction the town is heading then vote for the incumbents. That will perpetuate the status quo. If you are dissatisfied with the direction the town has taken, meaningful change must begin with a change in leadership.

After considering the track records and qualifications of all of the contenders, I enthusiastically support the candidacies of Suzanne Sullivan and Rob Fasulo. While both of these people are quite different in some respects. However, their track records demonstrate courage and integrity. They are involved in local government and can be seen at the various town board meetings year round.

Both Suzanne and Rob have walked-the-walk as citizen activists and fierce defenders of the wellbeing of the residents of Wilmington. These 2 candidates see the critical importance of our town needing to adopt a policy of responsible growth.

Suzanne Sullivan has a wealth of experience and a record of solid leadership in the town of Wilmington. She was a member of the Wilmington Board of Selectmen and knows the workings of government inside and out. Her efforts to help the residents of Wilmington include volunteering to serve on multiple town committees, citizen neighborhood groups, charitable causes and as a youth soccer coach. Last but not least, Suzan is an environmentalist and passionate protector of Mother Nature. She put the spotlight on the Olin Chemical spill. While many in Wilmington believe that crisis is over and done, Suzanne knows the problem is worsening every day. She does her level-best to keep this catastrophe on the front-burner and on the minds of residents, elected and appointed officials.

Rob Fasulo is a family man and lifelong resident of Wilmington. As such he deeply cares for his home town and its future. Like Suzanne, Rob is an environmental advocate. As a beekeeper he is well aware of the delicate balance of nature and the fragility of the environment. He is a fiscal conservative. In my opinion this is a great attribute. Rob will provide a much-needed balance to the board with his conservative views. Doubtless this will provoke many spirited discussions on taxation and spending ensuring a well-thought-out decision-making process.

In closing, I respectfully ask you to consider casting your votes for Rob Fasulo and Suzanne Sullivan on Saturday April 27th.

Gerry Bruno

Concerned Citizens of Wilmington