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Dear Neighbors,
Please vote on April 8th at the RMHS Field House. EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!! That being said, I have candidates that I feel will serve ALL people in Reading in the best and most open-minded and civil way possible: LARA DURGAVICH (https://www.durgavichforsc.com) for School Committee; KAREN ROSE-GILLIS (https://www.voteforkrg.com) and ANTHONY (Tony) DAREZZO (https://www.votedarezzo.org) for Select Board. Please check out their websites to learn more about them. They each represent the values I cherish, and share my goals for an inclusive, equitable, and financially sensible Reading that meets the needs of ALL Residents.
LARA DURGAVICH is an educator in higher education. She is very familiar with the tools that students have, and don’t have, when they matriculate to college, while also valuing the journeys of those who decide on other post-graduation options. She is invested in ALL students being enabled to learn and believes that creativity and problem solving should be valued along with science, the Arts, and fact learning. She understands that books are to be understood and learned from, not banned; and as a teacher herself, she is committed to students and teachers getting the tools and support they need to succeed.
KAREN ROSE-GILLIS has lived in Reading for 30+ years and has been a devoted volunteer. Recently, she spent many months on the Parking Advisory and Recommendation Committee (PARC). My conversations with Karen have manifest how she can truly listen and discuss ways to find consensus when there is not agreement. She takes her own learning seriously, does her homework, and is eager to help Reading move forward to benefit ALL our residents with the difficult decisions ahead. She recognizes that financial decisions impact everyone differently and has her ears and her heart ready to listen to voices across the generations. Our town would be in good hands with Karen on the Select Board.
TONY D’AREZZO has lots of expertise and volunteer experience that also makes him a great candidate for our Select Board. He was a Town Meeting member for a couple of years over 25 years ago and then again for the last 13 or so years. Tony was on the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC) for 7 years. I was truly impressed when Tony spoke up for his colleague, a valued volunteer on the CPDC, when three Select Board Members were determined to replace them both. Unfortunately, the expertise and commitment of these devoted volunteers were ignored, sending a very unfortunate message to all town volunteers. I support Tony for Select Board because I know he has experience professionally unraveling problems with no easy solutions. He will bring with him his experience and knowledge of development projects, past town funding challenges, and his commitment to the best interests of our community.
Right now, we are at an important crossroads in our history. Democracy requires that we make our voices, values, and choices clear. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue, nor is it a conservative or progressive issue – it is an opportunity that Democracy provides us. My choices might not be your choices, but I encourage you to go vote on April 8th at the RMHS Field House. EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!
In summary, I am going to vote for Lara, Karen and Tony to move our town forward in responsible and thoughtful ways. But please, whether you agree with me or not, please vote.
Your Fellow Reading Resident and Volunteer,
Linda Snow Dockser
Beaver Road
