Higgins: 30 Days of Thanks Day 2

Thirty Days of Thanks Day Two

Like everyone else in America tomorrow’s (today's)elections are on my mind. From the highly contested national elections, the unique state elections and the quintessential local elections emotions are running high. Everyone has an opinion and most are unafraid to share them. Many now resort to insult and ridicule in their disagreement of one another’s political choices. This year has been the worst I can remember. So today, November 2nd, 2020 I am thankful for my right to vote.

My great grandmother on my mother’s side and my grandmother on my father’s side spent their early adult lives not voting. They remember many things women couldn’t do. There are women (and men) in many places on earth now who do not live in freely governed countries where voting is allowed and/or encouraged. Like the wealthy children raised by parents who did want not let them know their childhood poverty we Americans take many things for granted. The vote (and the ability to do so) feels like this sometimes. For me, it is a privilege I take seriously. I will not share my political views here, but I will share what I love about the election process. There is typically someone for everyone. My gratitude at this specific aspect of voting focuses on the school board elections here in Concord this year.

My first year there were two seats available and two of us ran. The board was a west end clique back then with the majority of members Ward 5 and 6 attorneys who lived within walking distance of one another. In each of my subsequent terms’ community involvement has increased. Big ticket items like full day kindergarten and such often bring out single issue candidates. These races often receive much coverage and good voter turnout. The debacle of the Howie Leung case and the subsequent Covid19 issues have put the school board front and center on an almost daily basis. It is no surprise given the last two years that none of the existing candidates who are up for reelection are running. What was once at 10-12 hour per month commitment had become (at times) a 20 hour per week expectation with almost only negative public comment. Part of the beauty of public service is the feedback, there is a lot of it. The tricky part is much of it is negative. I have been called some pretty insulting names in my role as a board member… I wonder what their mothers would think.

Tuesday the citizens in Concord have a variety of candidates from which to choose. Those leaving the board were 2 men and 2 women. Of the 10 candidates running just three are men. There are parents, teachers, business people, a retiree and one with communications experience. We are losing an educator, a business man and a parent. Jenny Patterson was an attorney. It is one’s natural inclination to vote for someone who shares your desires for the board, who will fight your fight. What is often overlooked is the professional make up of the board. We don’t spend all of our time on student specific tasks. We have money and buildings and policies and negotiations to manage. We have a superintendent to oversee. I remember my first term how painful some meetings were because those attorneys had no idea what went on in a classroom day to day. Our current board is well rounded professionally. Attorneys, teachers, business people, parents… all of these professions bring expertise to the issues. Tomorrow resident’s city wide will all have the opportunity to choose the candidate they feel is the best fit for them. Every district has a race.

In District A Kate West and Roy Schweiker. A young professional and a retiree, one very up on issues important to her current reality and the other a older gentleman with superior intellect and a unique way of observing the world. Both would bring excellent perspectives to the board.

In District B Melissa Clark, Allie Maltais and Jonathan Weinberg. Allie has a special education focus and is a parent with a child in the district, Melissa is another parent with similar issues at the forefront of her focus. Jonathan a young new into the adult world professional with an outlook that could be vital to upcoming issues facing the board. This district truly has someone for everyone and no choice here would be a poor one.

District C has Kate Vaughn, Timothy Fanelli and Brenda Hastings. Kate and Timothy bring the education and parent-based view as current parents with children in the district. Brenda is a retired Concord educator who brings an understanding of the inner workings of education in Concord. Again, only good choices for the citizens in this district.

Finally, the one-year at large seat. Jane Presby and Pamela Walsh. Two strikingly different candidates who would both bring important knowledge and skills to the board. Jane has a history in Concord that covers almost every issue we have faced on the board in recent years. Her acceptance of all people, her education back ground, ecological background and business sense will provide quick answers to many questions. Pamela brings an unwavering desire for quick and transparent communication from the district. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind.

So as I finish this missive and head off to the monthly meeting I want to say thank-you to the women and men who fought for our freedom and right to vote, to the local community for having such a positive and interactive political structure, and to all of you, for getting out there and exercising your right and your privilege to vote.