from LWV questionnaire:

Please list your Community Activities:

• Town Meeting Member (15+ years)

• Winchester Girl Scouts - Adult Leader/Volunteer (20+ years)

• St. Eulalia Parish – Various ministry and service roles (30+ years)

• Support of /participation in various Town groups – 

  • Friends of Winchester Public Library, 

  • Wright-Locke Farm, 

  • WPS Parent/Teacher Associations

What Winchester issues do you think are most important?

Town Finances – Operating and Capital Needs

Housing Affordability

Green and Sustainability Initiates

Of those important issues, which one do you feel most passionate about, and what is your position on that issue?

Town Finances – During my time as a Town Meeting Member, I’ve had the opportunity to vote on annual budgets and numerous projects with financial implications. While I believe many officials are good stewards of the Town’s financial resources, at times I feel that the information being presented might not represent the whole truth or is being spun to fit the desired narrative.  I also sense that many leadership members assume that taxpayers will simply pass tax overrides as presented to them which I feel is unfair.  I support the communication efforts of the Town whose goal will be to increase information on a variety of issues to our citizens, including financial matters.  I think better information will improve everyone’s understanding which in turn will drive more questions and accountability of all of us in Town.  I hope better information and wider participation will result in a clearer picture of our finance resources, constraints and goals.

What does Winchester do well and what might be improved?

The reputation of our school system continues to be the pride of our Town.  My two daughters, as with all our children, have greatly benefited from the public education they received here.

The volunteer aspect of our town government always impresses me.  While I at times find myself opposed to the positions of some volunteers, I stand in awe of their dedication and the countless hours that many of our citizens commit to serve on the various boards and committees that we have.

Since the demise of our local printed newspaper, it has been incredibly difficult to get factual reports on various issues at the local level.  As discussed earlier, communication efforts from the Town will help to fill that void, even if coming from sources that can’t always be unbiased.

The Town Meeting Communications Study Committee has recommended that a written communications plan be prepared and a town communications manager be appointed by FY2025 (https://www.winchester.us/DocumentCenter/View/9219/Communications-Study-Commiteee_Final-Report_Recommendations). Do you support both recommendations, even if they would involve adding a new full-time position (salary and benefits) to the town budget? If not, what alternative ideas do you suggest?  

Again, I feel improved communication on municipal matters is greatly needed and I would support the addition of a paid communication manager to the Town’s staff.