My Personal Journey Through Sturbridge

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with hundreds of residents in my door-to-door journey throughout Sturbridge. To say that I’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible hospitality, courtesy, and genuine interest extended me, would be an understatement. It has been nothing short of remarkable.

My personal journey is affording me an amazing opportunity to lay witness to our community as seen through the eyes of its residents. Your joys, hopes, fears, and frustrations have been conveyed to me with remarkable frankness and clarity.

It’s clear that Sturbridge residents love this community and revel in its beauty. It’s also clear, that the majority of residents I’ve spoken with are deeply concerned about the lack of economic development, our diminishing tax base, and the lack of substantive engagement in addressing comprehensive solutions to these issues.

Many residents have identified the lack of time that prevents them from being more directly involved with some issues facing our community. The demands of raising a family, working multiple jobs, and staying ahead of economic challenges leave little opportunity for many to participate at the level they’d prefer. Most however have suggested that the path we’ve undertaken these past few years has produced less than encouraging results.

There’s a growing sense of frustration among residents with the “diminishing tax base” evidenced by the number of vacant/for sale/for rent signs witnessed these past 4 years along Main Street. Many have expressed concerns with what has been described as an “increasing tax burden disproportionate to the services received”, along with the lack of what some identified as “substantive efforts to address problems”.

This is precisely the reason I seek your support; I firmly recognize the need for substantive dialogue and concrete, results-based action. I’m committed to directly engaging the issues facing this community and my 7-Point Plan for the First 12 Months documents my belief in the need for engaged, pro-active leadership. My approach is grounded in specifics as opposed to generalities, and provides a clear path of my direct accountability to Sturbridge voters.

I’m a strong believer in action, based upon deliberate and careful review of information. Such deliberation however, need not be bogged down in endless and repetitive dialogue void of a clear end-point. Residents have a right to expect, in fact demand, direct and timely action/pro-action.

I’m committed to providing Sturbridge with principled leadership, distinct objectivity, direct accountability, and deliberate action that is results-specific. I will tirelessly work to engage direct efforts aimed at identifying, addressing, and solving issues facing our community in a proactive and pragmatic manner. If elected, I pledge to bring tangible results to our community and will be a strong, principled voice in representing ALL residents.

My amazing journey has enriched me beyond all expectations and has lead to incredible level of awareness while deepening my commitment to our community. One cannot travel the doorsteps of 1,509 residents (as of Thursday, March 19, 2009) and come away unchanged. Each of you, whether a supporter or not, has graced me with your time, kindness, insights, and hospitality. These are invaluable gifts and I’m eternally grateful to each of you for your contributions to my personal growth.