Readers explain preferences in election

Published on March 23, 2007

No one knows Weiss like his stepson does

To the Bulletin:

It's not often that one gets to know a candidate for 30 years before an election.

I can fervently recommend my stepdad, Gerry Weiss, on just this basis. What are the traits that I have admired and benefited from so much? He thinks clearly, listens as only a therapist can, does more homework than anyone I know (ask him about his research into the Amherst tax structure), has dedicated his life to human services and social justice and follows his moral compass all the way to prison when civil disobedience is the only route left.

If you are tempted to vote against Ger because of some single issue (soccer fields, zoning, etc.), reconsider. What you really want is someone on the Select Board for the next three years who will burn the midnight oil researching his own position, listen very carefully to your position and make the right decision for his town, his grandchildren, his earth, his neighbors.

So take it from me, who has known him as well as anyone could for the past 30 years. It's too late for you to have him as your stepdad, but you can still have him on your Select Board.

Ian Camera
Amherst

Alisa Brewer brings fresh vision, energy

To the Bulletin:

There has been much talk recently among townspeople, as well as town officials, about whether Amherst residents can "afford" to support the three-year, $2.5 million override plan recommended by the Finance Committee. My feeling is that we can't afford not to support it.

This is not an easy conclusion for me to make. As a school teacher and single parent, I fall in the category of those struggling to make ends meet in a town so heavily dependent on residential property tax as the primary source of revenue. In the past three years, in fact, my monthly increases in health insurance and property taxes alone have outpaced my increase in salary.

My situation, like that of our town, will not be sustainable for long. We are both suffering from a "structural deficit." So why am I in support of an even higher rate of increase in property tax next year? Because it is but one part of a larger fiscal plan designed to work toward stabilizing our economic future. It is a plan that sets a three-year course for ourselves of predictability and opportunity; coupling stringent spending caps for our school, municipal and library budgets, with invigorated efforts to build new revenue streams for the town.

There is much about Amherst that is worth fighting to preserve and, in the process, much that we must work strategically to change. The three-year override plan is one window of opportunity that we have before us to set responsibly on that course. The other is the decision about who to elect to the main steering body of the town, the Select Board.

For those of you, like me, who plan to vote to open up your pocketbooks for change in Amherst, I hope you consider opening up your minds to broader change in leadership as well. My hope is that we can bring some fresh vision and energy to the table as we embark on a plan for a more affordable future. It is my opinion that a vote for Alisa Brewer is a vote for a more vibrant and sustainable Amherst. Let's speak up on March 27 for an Amherst with the programs and services we want with the more forward-thinking approach to planning and leadership that we need to support them.

Marcy Sala
Amherst

Weiss has provided creative leadership

To the Bulletin:

Gerry Weiss has served on the Select Board for three years. He understands the complex social and financial issues in our town. He has provided thoughtful energetic and creative leadership. Gerry listens to all sides of a question and works to do what is best for the community. He has promoted economic development downtown in parking, zoning and building. We need him on the Select Board for a second term.

Tom Plaut
Amherst

Weiss, Hubley, Gordon, Romero and Anderson

To the Bulletin:

In government, how one works is as important as what one does. In three years on the Select Board, Gerry Weiss and Robie Hubley have listened to all points of view and worked to make town government more open. While grateful for their achievements - hiring a new, effective town manager; a police mutual-aid agreement with UMass; improved sidewalks without excessive borrowing; a revived Town Commercial Relations Committee; and greater collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce - even more important is the new diversity on town committees and the new participants in town government.

As a member of the Comprehensive Planning Committee since December 2005, I can attest to how this contrasts to the leadership style of the third Select Board candidate. Until the committee elected new officers last November, Alisa Brewer, as chairwoman, dominated discussions with long monologues, frequently challenged the input of other members on the basis that we didn't understand the committee's long history, and used agenda-setting as justification for sending members long e-mails discussing upcoming business. Whatever she claims to stand for, this is not a leadership style Amherst needs.

With School Committee, voters are met with a similar contrast. Both the challengers, Kathleen Anderson and Chrystel Romero, speak eloquently of involving all parents and all of the community in our schools. Ms. Romero has stated that her most important role will be outreach to the community. Ms. Anderson speaks of the need to draw on the resources of our entire community.

Contrast this to Andy Churchill's divisive "with me or against me" politics. Using pretty words like "sustainable" and "Amherst Center," he and his allies have published lists of candidates who are supposedly good or bad for the schools based solely on whether or not they agree with him. A Town Meeting member who has attended only a third of all meetings, yet votes with Mr. Churchill, is rated higher than someone who really contributes to the town, but sometimes sees things differently.

I think we need diverse perspectives and broad participation in town government, not a "Father Knows Best" approach. I will vote for Romero and Anderson for School Committee, Weiss and Hubley for Select Board, and Nancy Gordon for moderator.

Jim Oldham
Amherst

Churchill is committed to excellence and equity

To the Bulletin:

As the parent of three children (two at Fort River and a 2-year-old), I'm writing to express my strong support for Andy Churchill's re-election to the School Committee.

I've contacted Andy several times over the last few years with questions about the Amherst schools, and although we had never met, he was consistently prompt, thoughtful, and thorough in his response to any questions or concerns I raised. Given his election as chairman of the School Committee, it is obvious that his colleagues on the School Committee have also found him both highly effective in taking a leadership role and easily able to work well with others.

This is a crucial election for the future of public education in Amherst, and I see Andy's commitment to excellence, equity and efficiency as a very important step toward maintaining, and even improving, the quality of the Amherst schools. I hope others who care passionately about education will join me in supporting Andy Churchill's re-election.

Catherine Sanderson
Amherst