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I grew up in the City of Lawrence. It was and still is a very diverse city with many ethnicities and languages spoken. All of the students lived in Lawrence. We were neighbors and played kickball in the street until the streetlights came on. It was an amazing place to grow up and I’m not ashamed to say it. I moved to Reading just over 20 years ago. Reading is a very different place and that was clear to me very quickly. Since moving here, I’ve purchased a home and had two kids. I was elected to town meeting for a year, the year we went from Selectmen to a Select Board. I’ve worked with PTOs, helped plan events and chaperoned more field trips than I might care to admit. I’ve been welcomed, felt like I wasn’t part of the “in” crowd, walked the street faires, met many wonderful folks, some of whom are now friends, and have seen many adults and youth who could do better with how they treat others.
Why am I giving you my town credentials? Because it seems that, in Reading, you have to prove your credibility by how long you’ve lived here. My husband has never lived anywhere else. My kids have always been here. And now my Mom is here with us. If anyone is a townie by relation, it’s me. I’m glad we’ve gotten that out of the way.
You may have noticed there’s an election going on in town right now. This election is for one purpose: to fill an open seat on our Select Board. Times like these bring out the best and worst in people. We take sides. We criticize. We want what we want and we think we know what’s best for everyone. What I know is this, time is moving forward. Society is changing. It seems to me like there are many in town who love their town of yesterday. And why not? It’s been a great place to live, for the most part. Yet, no matter how much we want things to stay the same, they are going to change. Change is hard, but it’s inevitable. By embracing this change, I can best support my children as they grow into adults in this new society. Of course, there are also parts of our history that make sense to keep and build on. For me, those are being inclusive, kind, and being open to share my town with whoever would choose to live here. These are all of the things I’ve been teaching my children since they were born. Everyone is welcome here, as they come, whoever they are, no matter how they live or identify.
In all I’ve seen from each candidate, Tara Gregory most embodies what I would like to see in our town moving forward. If we want our kids to feel safe and welcomed, no matter who they are, Tara is the person to help them feel that way. We need a new perspective on the ongoing, repeating town issues. Tara can give us that. Let’s set this town up for success for the future so that our kids, my kids, will want to stay living here after we’re gone. The best we can do is vote and continue to treat others as we’d like to be treated.
Patti Coffill
Park Avenue
