To the editor:
I met Stefanie Neumann at the open house at the Hawthorne by the Sea meeting hosted by the town to determine ways to use the property that the town purchased. I happened to be looking at materials at the same table, and we began talking. It didn’t take long before we struck up a conversation about wide-ranging topics facing the town. I laughed and said, “why don’t you run for the Select Board?” Stefanie said she wasn’t a politician, and I responded, “exactly what we need!”
So why am I writing this letter? This past year I’ve watched certain members of the Select Board “mansplain” to their female counterparts too many times — with the rolling of the eyes and pronounced sighing when a female board member would ask questions. Never did any of the men step up and say “stop…” Not once. They said nothing. They looked down.
Well, I for one have seen enough. Our town has an election coming up on April 25, and Stefanie Neumann has the intelligence, business background, independence, and inner strength to help guide our board back towards being more accountable, transparent, and most importantly, civil to one another.
She’s been walking all over town asking people for their vote. She’s promised to listen to all sides of issues the town will be deciding on and has made it clear to residents that they will have a voice.
I take her at her word, and I hope you will join me in voting for Stefanie.
Ellen Ziff
Swampscott
