To the editor:
I am writing in support of Liz Smith for Swampscott’s Select Board and I encourage all to vote for her. Swampscott has some challenges coming up and I believe Smith has experience to help us meet them. I believe her international management experience has help honed her ability to meet and manage challenges — and the ability to listen to other points of view. Her work on King’s Beach and the water and sewer infrastructure advisory committee demonstrate her commitment to understanding the issues, listening to constituents, and working on solutions.
I believe the Select Board needs a shakeup. From the dynamics from the board meetings, I have attended online or watched afterwards, I think the board could use more collaboration, transparency and follow through. Why didn’t we have a financial summit last summer? Why did the town administrator disappear? Why did the budget work miss key deadlines this year? I am not disparaging different points of view, and I encourage vigorous debate. I believe respectful disagreement and discussion often produces good and solid solutions.
Everyone claims that we need more civility and collaboration on the board. And that is why I am voting for Liz Smith — she has the experience and the commitment to work with all on what is best for the town,
And whatever the outcome of the election, I ask the current and future select board members to do the work, deliver commitments, improve communications within the board, and conduct open and transparent communications with the community.
Martha Curry
Swampscott Precinct 3 Town Meeting Member
