Letter to the Editor: Town Meeting Member Declares Support for Herrick
Ron D'Addario has written a letter of endorsement for Karen Gately Herrick's Board of Selectmen bid.
I will vote for Karen Herrick this Tuesday, and I ask you to do the same. I have sat near Karen at town meeting for a number of years. Although we have not always voted the same way on various issues, I was always impressed with Karen’s knowledge of the issues.
In addition to her years on town meeting, Karen has served on the Reading Solid Waste Committee, the Reading Tax Classification Committee, and the Reading Historical Commission. These are not necessarily high profile committees; nevertheless, they need volunteer residents to accomplish the needed town work. Without a spot light, Karen volunteered to do just that.
Furthermore, with a youngster in our middle school system, Karen has served on a number of committees at the Wood End School and volunteered as a paraeducator in our middle schools. Karen has clearly demonstrated a willingness to work hard to make Reading a livable town for all of us.
Lastly, Karen comes to us with a B.A. from Boston College and an M.B.A. from Bentley University. If you are still undecided between our 2 candidates, I would suggest that having at least one woman in our “gang” of five might not be a bad idea.
Respectfully,
Ron D’Addario
Town Meeting Member
Kat S
9:24 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
So if I am undecided I should just go with the female candidate....ridiculous!
Dunbar
9:41 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
I don't think that's what the author meant. It is clear he is voting for her for other reasons. I would never vote for a candidate just because she is female, or he is a specific religion, or ethnicity, etc. However, it would be nice to see a woman on the board. I think it's important for the young people (and old) in the town to see women in leadership positions not usually occupied by women.
Jean
2:42 pm on Saturday, March 3, 2012
Kat,
I couldn't agree more! I was offended by Ms. Herrick' request that residents vote for her because she is a female. I prefer to cast my vote for the most qualified candidate who is not afraid to state their position on important matters concerning the Town. I have followed both candidates since they started their campaigns and still know nothing about Ms. Herrick other than she expects votes cast for her in female solidarity. She set the female gender back centuries.
peter lucci
9:55 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
It's just that the outgoing woman in a leadership position has left a very bad taste in the mouths of Reading taxpayers.
580 Main
Kat S
10:24 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
I couldn't agree more Dunbar I am a women leader in a large organization but I earned my position I was not put there to balance things off or give a female prospective. If people think she is the stronger candidate they should vote for her based on her skill set not her gender. I am not concerned about an all male board personally. People can be leaders in a committe in many ways, they don't need to sit on a board to do it.
Kat S
11:19 am on Friday, March 2, 2012
I meant leader in a community!
Mr White
12:06 pm on Friday, March 2, 2012
The more I read and get to know Karen the more I think everything Karen has done in Reading over the past 5-10yrs is for the betterment of Karen, her work or her family & friends.
Haven't we had enough of this "style" of leadership in this town?? We need more people who will take a fair and impartial approach to matters and focus on how to better the lives of everyone in Reading not just a select few.
Jean
2:45 pm on Saturday, March 3, 2012
Mr. White,
I totally agree with you. Watching Ms. Herrick speak at Town Meetings in the past it is clear she takes positions on issues that impact her personally with little consideration for others in the community. There is nothing impartial about her approach to matters and she has not convinced me that is is qualified for this important elected office.