To the editor:
We write as former, and soon to be former members of the Natick Select Board to urge voters to re-elect Rich Sidney on March 28, 2023. We also bring the perspective of combined decades of experience on the Board; we have worked with Rich as community volunteers and leaders, and we have all come to know him as a person. With all of his experience, Rich has clearly earned re-election to a full three-year term.
It is very heartening to see increased interest and energy in serving in town government. We need more people to step up and apply their skills and energy in public service. Change on the Board is good, and it’s important to have new voices and perspectives. But at a time when we have seen a departure of members with significant institutional knowledge, Rich’s experience is even more valuable, and his insights are important to retain.
Rich is a very dedicated volunteer. In addition to serving on the Board since September 2022, Rich has served in Town Meeting, on the Finance Committee and its various subcommittees, and on committees dealing with Town Meeting, our charter and bylaws, voting precincts, and more.
Rich’s breadth of knowledge of local government; his curiosity, insight, candor and sense of justice; and his understanding of how town government works (and why it sometimes doesn’t work as well as it should) are not only assets for Rich as a candidate. These assets combined with his extensive experience are valuable on the Board, and benefit our entire community. For all of these reasons and more, we all support re-election of Rich Sidney to the Natick Select Board.
Thank you for considering this recommendation and thank you for voting on or before March 28.
Editor’s note: the signatories are all Natick residents, with the exception of Erica Ball and Jay Ball, who are former Natick residents.
Carol Gloff
Mike Hickey
Jonathan Freedman
Amy Mistrot
Erica Ball
Charlie Hughes
Jay Ball
Joshua Ostroff
Rick Jennett
