To the editor:
As a Swampscott resident and a long-time Town Meeting member, I had the occasion to watch the Feb. 12 Select Board meeting. During public comment, an individual identified herself as Danielle Leonard and questioned the logic of granting an extension to the town administrator’s contract 18 months prior to its expiration. Ms. Leonard then questioned the review process in the context of open claims pending before the MCAD. The chair tried to summarily cut short the conversation based upon the time limit afforded to each individual, but Ms. Leonard refused to be silenced until she received an answer that she thought was a worthy explanation. Having not received a response to her inquiry, which parenthetically many on the Select Board are not inclined to do, both the chair and the town administrator uncharacteristically tried to defend their position. My initial reaction was that her method may have appeared brash, but it clearly captured not only my interest but the interest of others who were either present at the Select Board meeting or watching on Zoom. While civility should be demanded from all that are present, Ms. Leonard was able to extract answers or excuses that, without her resolve, would have remained unanswered.
I subsequently learned that Ms. Leonard was running for the Select Board, and it became apparent that not only did she speak her mind but was similarly prepared to act on her displeasure. I saw in Ms. Leonard what I see in Ms. Fletcher, a Select Board member who has tirelessly fought for her constituents, but has unfortunately been a minority voice trying to vet complex issues by asking probing questions, which have been routinely dismissed.
I felt that Ms. Leonard deserved my support, but I was reticent until I had an opportunity to meet the candidate. I subsequently had that opportunity last Tuesday, April 2 at an in-person candidates night sponsored on behalf of Ms. Leonard. I met a calm, well-reasoned individual who was prepared to both explain and justify her position on fiscal responsibility; revitalizing aging infrastructure; preparing community connections, which clearly have been lost; and ensuring environmental stability. While there were other issues and concerns detailed by Ms. Leonard, it was her sense of not only the urgency of the matters presented but a true willingness to partake in the time-consuming investigation required to get answers from those that historically have been less than forthright.
I am certain that Ms. Leonard, if she is fortunate enough to be elected to the board, might and probably will make decisions that are not necessarily ones that I would have supported, but that is only secondary to the fact that she is willing to invest her time, investigate the financial implications, and be prepared to ultimately make an informed decision. It is for these reasons that I would urge you to support Ms. Leonard on April 30 by casting a vote on her behalf. Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth B. Shutzer, Esq.
Swampscott
