Why I’m Supporting Annie Cameron for Essex Board of Selectmen

To the Editor,

We are fortunate to have two strong, well-informed women running for Selectman in Essex.   However, after observing town management over the past couple of years, I feel a fundamental shift is needed in our town leadership.  My observation has been that current management does not fully reflect the views, wants, and needs of the community as a whole.  True leadership means leading for all citizens, considering the collective interests of our village, while preserving our beloved history and traditions and providing essential services to our firefighters, police, Seniors, and children.

It has been frustrating to see issues unnecessarily divide our town, sometimes simply due to how they are presented.  At this critical juncture, we need a different approach – one that actively works to bring our town together and truly meets the needs of all residents.

This is why I am wholeheartedly supporting Annie Cameron for Selectman.  Annie's time on the School Committee has demonstrated her ability to be a true critical thinker.  She has shown a consistent capacity to take into account all sides and viewpoints, consider all options with an open mind, and act fairly in the best interests of the town as a whole.  While I haven't always agreed with every decision, I have always respected her deep understanding of the issues at hand and her careful consideration of the impact on all parties involved.  This is precisely the kind of thoughtful, inclusive approach we need in town management and leadership right now.

Electing Annie Cameron is our opportunity to begin shifting the thinking and approach of how we work with our business and community partners and, most importantly, how we address the diverse needs of our citizens.  She embodies the commitment to consider all viewpoints and needs, not just clinging to tradition, but preserving our traditions while actively keeping up with the times and the evolving needs of our citizens.  She has specific proposals for relief for struggling Seniors and has experience collaborating with our District partner, Manchester.

This election is our first opportunity to shift the management and leadership of our town towards a more inclusive environment, one that is truly representative of all of us.  It's not about where we came from; it's about our love for Essex and our willingness to invest in our town and its citizens.

Let's prioritize paying our firefighters a fair wage and adequately funding our schools.  We have the power to choose how we spend our funds, and that choice should reflect the representation and needs of everyone.

Annie Cameron is the candidate who will deliver on this. She is diligent, hard-working, responsible, and does her homework on every issue. She is not afraid to ask the challenging questions and will bring a valuable perspective to the Board of Selectmen having previously served on the School Committee.  She is tough, fair, and a candidate for all citizens.

Let's stop the scare tactics and pitting issues against each other. Let's come together.  Please go out to the polls in Essex on May 12th.  Vote to increase the wage of our firefighters.  Vote for the education our children deserve.  Vote to give our Seniors what they need.  Vote to continue to preserve the history and tradition we all love.  Vote for unity, progress, and the preservation of our town values and history.

Please, vote for Annie Cameron.

Sincerely,