Like many residents, my wife and I chose to live in Reading because we were looking to start a family, and Reading offered all of the “big town” conveniences (public transportation, easy access to major roadways, excellent schools) while maintaining a “small town” charm. Our neighbors were welcoming, and helped us move in.

And that is what makes Reading great — the kindness of its people!

Shortly after we moved here, I wanted to get to know my Town and my neighbors better, and I thought the best way to do that was to serve in local government! Working as an IT project manager in the financial services industry and having just graduated from MBA school, I felt that FinCom would be the perfect place to get started.

During my time in local government, I am happy to say that everyone worked together for the common good. National politics rarely, if ever, entered the conversation. There was not the politics of personal destruction that exists today in local government. Everyone rolled up his or her sleeves and went to work.

For example, when we moved here in 2001, there were eight blighted structures along South Main Street. Today there are none. Everyone in town worked towards the goal of improving the Town for the betterment of everyone. We launched the renovations to the high school and established the Downtown Smart Growth District.

Sadly, that spirit of cooperation does not exist today. Last year, a Select Board member felt pressured into voting for a certain candidate for Town Manager, to the point where she felt the need to resign. Another Select Board member was accused of blackmail. A major political group in Town stated that a Select Board candidate was a “threat to democracy.” Parents were accused of “book banning.” We need to move on from this politics of personal destruction and return to the uplifting politics of common sense governance and political consensus that once guided our great Town. It is my promise to you that I will do just that.