Letter to Amherst Citizens

To the citizens:

The Board of Selectmen has a thankless job but I believe that having done the job for many years, I have the experience to meet the challenges of today.   I believe being an affective Selectman requires several skills which I possess. 

• I am open, honest and trustworthy and have a deep appreciation for the “Right to Know” Law.

•I do my homework in order to ask the “right” questions.   It is a recipe for disaster when you don’t know what you don’t know and refuse to reach out to the people who can help get you the information necessary to make decisions.

•I believe it is important to listen to the citizens and those serving on other boards and commissions to better understand their opinions and needs.

•I believe in being proactive and communicating with state, regional and other area leaders.   I have always fought for Amherst so that our taxpayers are treated as fairly as other taxpayers in the state.

 • I take seriously the Selectmen’s function to make staffing decisions and review comprehensive personnel policy in order to hire the best possible people to manage the departments and to work with them to achieve the town’s desired goals.

As a Selectman, I faced some tough budget and policy decisions.    I am prepared to make those tough decisions again.  

The town is faced with some difficult challenges at the same time that property values are shrinking and tax rates are rising.   In spite of a State Constitution that prohibits passing down unfunded mandates, the State does manage to pass down costs to the towns anyway with the responsibility falling to the local property tax payer. 

The Town is sorely in need of strategic planning along with revisiting the Capital Improvement Plan.   All department heads, Ways and Means and representatives of other boards and commissions need to come together create a plan for moving the town forward.  

I believe that because of my experience, I will be able to hit the ground running.   I know that I can lend a voice of reason to the Board of Selectmen.     I know that if elected, I will always work to bring dignity and respect to our Town.

I am asking that you vote for me, Marilyn Peterman on March 12^th.

Sincerely,

Marilyn Peterman, Candidate for Selectman