All of the candidates in the current Select Board race boast desirable qualities such as intelligence, fairness, concern for the town, skill at data analysis (popular this year), listening to all sides, financial knowledge, and so forth.
Mary Hartman meets all these criteria and more. Experience, for one, to be sure. The importance of continuity on the Select Board is crucial given the intricate issues our town is facing.
But much further, Mary stands out as a leader who puts her whole self into service. This means courage and heart in addition to intelligence and solution-finding acumen. For example, she is as capable at information management and as knowledgeable about finance as anyone, but she is also wise to examine what data is being considered, what factors are at play, what intangibles there are, the accuracy of statements, and what is “right” among several well thought-out options. Without being sentimental, she upholds values most Concordians care about, such as historical heritage, fair housing, inclusion of everyone, and, last but not least, the importance of nature in our lives as individuals and as a community. Mary practices humanity with a big H (compassion, consideration of the whole picture, inclusion of all) and a small h (humility and awareness that we are all but a part of a much greater whole).
We cannot afford to lose Mary’s service on the Select Board. Please vote for Mary Hartman.
Tanya Gailus
Prescott Road
