A year ago, as a new resident to Concord, I turned to The Concord Bridge to learn more about the candidates running for the Select Board and School Committee. I read all that I could about these candidates — paying particular attention to how they expressed themselves in their own words — and I came away no more enlightened, and perhaps even less so, than before.
This was because almost every candidate sounded identical. There were buzzwords aplenty — “transparency,” “inclusion,” “fiscal responsibility,” and so forth — but the candidates seemed purposefully intent upon not saying anything. I have since learned that not saying anything was politically expedient for those candidates because, in Concord, it is sometimes, by some, considered “divisive” to state plain facts, to engage in reasoned debate, and to acknowledge that while we live in a picture-perfect town, our town itself is less than perfect.
It is only by first admitting to that degree of humility that we, as a community, can begin to engage in honest, good-faith debates.
So it was with relief that I read my friend Dr. Michael Williams’ campaign statement in The Bridge, announcing his candidacy for School Committee. Here is my friend as I know him: a realist, not a cheerleader for the imaginarily ideal status quo.
An excerpt from his January 10, 2025, announcement:
“I was moved to become involved in civic affairs after seeing instances of inequity occur in our community, episodes where we had failed to meet the high ideals we espouse. In the aftermath of these incidents, neither accountability was sought nor resolution reached. I have seen instances of disparities in educational equity, student support, and academic achievement adversely affect all the children in our community. I believe we aspire to better.”
I do too.
Deborah Dorfman
Lang Street
