Endorsements for Local Election
Early voting for the Reading town election starts today, and election day is April 8. Elections are often decided by a very few votes, so you know what to do! Reading Votes is pleased to offer endorsements for responsive & fiscally responsible candidates. Check out the ballot for your precinct and use it at the polls. Please only vote for the recommended candidates to maximize their chances of winning.
Melissa Murphy for Select Board
Melissa Murphy served out Jackie McCarthy’s remaining term and is up for re-election. She’s been a force for good on the Select Board, focusing on issues that have the most direct impact. She supported the effort to approve second water meters and helped resolve the multi-unit water rate issue. She is not afraid to challenge the status quo and was a strong advocate for responsible MBTA Community zoning. https://MelissaForReading.com/
Chris Cook for Select Board
Chris Cook has stepped up to run for the other open seat. With a strong background in finance, his priorities are fiscal responsibility and prudent oversight of major building and development projects.Â
Tom Wise for School Committee
Tom Wise is up for re-election and has been a rock star! Leading the Committee as Chair, he keeps moving the district in a positive direction, including the implementation of full-day kindergarten.
Dana Guarino for School Committee
Dana Guarino, a busy dad of three elementary school kids, has taken the initiative to run a second time. A Reading school graduate himself, he’s committed to keeping the district on an upward trajectory by working towards full-day Fridays for elementary kids, excellence in special education services, and more.
Town Meeting Endorsements
These candidates represent our ideals of common sense and decision making based on facts and data. They are hardworking individuals with the best interests of Reading voters in mind. Â
We endorse Town Meeting candidates who voted for minimalist compliance with the MBTA Communities Act this past November. Without their votes, Reading would be facing much more aggressive development.Â
We also endorse candidates who are ready to deal with Reading’s upcoming fiscal crisis. In addition to votes for two debt exclusions this coming April Town Meeting (and May special election), the Town Accountant has indicated that at our current spend rate, we will be facing a likely proposition 2-1/2 override [a.k.a. property tax increase] in the coming years. We need to maintain good fiscal management to push potential tax increases further in the future. We must also find ways to mitigate the impact of these debt exclusions on an already overburdened residential tax base.
_____________________________________________________________
-The Vision-The Common Sense Voter Project.
-The Details-See exactly how we accomplish our goals.
Step 1: Mission
To provide awareness, insight, education, and opportunity for engagement in regards to local issues within the community that impact all Reading residents.Â
Step 2: Core Values
- Integrity: We hold ourselves to the highest of standards and operate with integrity.
- Honesty: We will be truthful at all times.Â
- Respect: We will treat others with the same respect that we expect for ourselves.Â
- Factuality: We will adhere to the facts, and not operate from opinion or emotion.
- Accountability: We hold one another accountable for the information that we share and how we engage members of our community.
Step 3: Statement of Ethics
We will adhere to and maintain exemplary standards of personal conduct, function with honesty and integrity at all times, be truthful and factual in our actions and communication, and respectful of all community members despite any differences of opinion or thought.Our Guiding Principles of Interaction.
- Foster healthy, respectful, open and honest debate
- Refrain from personal attacks or name calling
- Listen to each other, never drown out voices of dissent
- Avoid emotional arguments, stick to the facts and use logic and common sense
- Don’t be afraid to confront lies (with facts), or to call out specific actions and behaviors
- Never identify a problem without making a recommendation for a solution (or at least a path to find a solution)
- Have courage to stand up for what you believe
- Defend the right for everyone to speak without fear of repercussion