The Reading Post accepts Letters to the Editor. All letters must be signed. The Reading Post reserves the right to edit or not publish any letters received. Letters do not represent the views or opinions of the Post. editor@thereadingpost.com
To the Editor,
The Town of Reading is at a crossroads with an effort to recall Select Board member Vanessa Alvarado, to be decided on September 1. Reading can move forward with Vanessa and an agenda of transparency in government, or it can move backward. This misguided attempt to recall Vanessa originated with former Select Board member John Arena, who lost his Select Board seat to Vanessa two years ago. Should the recall be successful, the only person running to fill the vacancy is former Select Board member John Halsey, who just lost his re-election bid in the spring.
The many accusations leveled at Vanessa are simply and plainly false. Recall elections are rare in Massachusetts and rightly so. Citizens who are dissatisfied with their elected officials can express their dissatisfaction through the ballot box. Recalls of elected officials are generally reserved for those who have committed a crime or serious ethics violation. No such events have occurred with Vanessa. I believe the recall effort is personal and political enmity leveled at an intelligent young woman who believes in more open government, making informed decisions on important town matters, supports issues of social justice, is fiscally responsible, and has shown respect for town volunteers and staff.
John Halsey is the only Select Board member in memory to have been required to resign from a position as Select Board liaison to a Committee. In 2018 he was forced to resign his coveted position as liaison to the Recreation Committee after intimidating and threatening to sue Committee members who disagreed with him. This resignation came after extended conversations with the then Select Board Chair, town staff, and town volunteers about Halsey’s repeated “interference” with staff operations and his “making staff uncomfortable.” (Emails and text messages obtained through public records request.) At about the same time, Halsey filed an Open Meeting Law violation complaint against Vanessa and other fellow Select Board members, which was determined by Town Counsel to be baseless.
I have been a Reading resident for 26 years. I have been happy to serve as an elected Town Meeting member for 15 years. In addition, I have served on Town committees over the years. It has been a privilege to carry on the New England tradition of volunteer citizen governance. Our town is much richer because of the contributions of so many citizen volunteers with different perspectives. I know Vanessa feels the same way about her service to the Town. To hear her own words, please go to www.againsttherecall.com.
In a campaign video John Halsey made public a few days ago he states, regarding the appointment of the Police Chief, that “several of the current Select Board members acted, really, in my opinion, outside the Charter” and ”acted in their own self-interest.” Who will be the next object of a recall campaign? Select Board Chair Mark Dockser, or Vice-Chair Anne Landry?
I urge you to keep Reading moving forward. I will vote to support Vanessa and against the recall.
Sincerely,
Angela Binda
10 Orchard Park Drive
Town Meeting Member
