Citizen News, Letter to Editor, September 30, 2015

To the Editor:

I write this letter as a very proud 3rd generation
Sherman resident. Anyone who knows me knows I
love this town. Could it be better? My answer in the
past would have been, “no way!‘ As I get older, I
get wiser and I see a great opportunity for change in
our leadership.

From the moment I heard Don Lowe was running
for First Selectman, he had my vote. The experience
that he already has under his belt from his time as
Selectman makes him appealing to me. A leader
who is going to come in and hit the ground running
is what Sherman needs.

Although there is sure to be a small learning curve, it will be shorter than the one we are still on. Clarity, Connection and
Cohesiveness – this is the name of the writing class
that Don is offering at the JCC beginning next
month. I believe this to be what he will bring to our
town. Won’t that be nice?

Volunteering comes naturally and effortlessly to Ashleigh Blake. Knowing her the way I do now, it  comes as no surprise that our first interaction a few years ago was her volunteering to take my son to
camp. This is just her way. She sees a need and she
fills it. I am thankful and feel fortunate to have her
as my friend. Moreover, our town is so lucky to be
the benefactor of her giving ways. Now she would
like to do even more by seeking a Selectman
position. A vote for Ashleigh is a win for Sherman.
Could Sherman be better? Absolutely, and it
starts with great leadership.

Join me and vote for Don Lowe and Ashleigh Blake.
Kim Devine Kean,
Sherman

Citizen News Article, September 23, 2015.

Since announcing my candidacy for First Selectman, I have been
delighted by the encouraging comments sent my way. Thank you!
Many of these same people express hope that I can change the Board of
Selectman into a more responsive and dynamic administration for
Sherman. I will.

I hear and I understand the frustration: proposals, repairs, and
initiatives move at turtle speed. The frustration comes from those who
want cell phone service in southern Sherman,  from those who need
basic, necessary repairs at the Sherman Senior Center and the Sherman
School, from those who ask for clear leadership and direction on
critical management issues at Happy Acres Farm, from taxpayers
concerned with ever ensuing attorney fees, and inexplicable confusion
over the bidding process for services and equipment. Citizens ask for
the utilization and implementation of best-practices, in an expedient
fashion, based on the recommendations of professionals who serve the
town’s best interests. I’ve heard the frustration from board and
commission members who feel ignored, and from advocates of a
needed senior housing solution who were discouraged from presenting
their case. And sadly, from citizens who don’t even get their phone
calls returned from the person whose number one job is to represent
them. Some folks are angry. Some have hurt feelings. Others are
resigned to saying, “That‘s government for you!“ Well, I will change that.

Yes, I’m realistic. There’s a learning curve to this job. But that curve
should be measured in months not years. Getting acclimated does not
mean that I won’t be proactive on objectives and issues in town, that I
can’t move agenda items to action or resolution. I will return phone
calls. I will show up at the meetings of town boards and commissions. I
will see for sure that town-wide initiatives get a fair public information
process allowing voters to choose “nay” or “ya” based on all the
pertinent facts from all sides of the issue. I will not allow a loud
minority, seeking to drown out reasonable discourse, to dominate,
skew, and muddy the waters of a civil exchange of views. I believe
that it is the charge of the First Selectman to set the example and tone,
and that a failure to do so short-changes the dialogue and ultimately works contrary to the greater good of the town.

I will not let essential town projects be pushed to the last minute
because of inaction. As your First Selectman I will see to it that items
are placed on the Board of Selectmen’s agenda in a timely fashion to
allow ample time for discussion and consideration. Major projects, as
we all know, are fraught, by their very nature, with delays and
unforeseen changes that will inevitably prolong the process. As such, it
is unforgivable to handicap these processes by starting them late simply
on account of poor time management skills and lack of foresight. Yes,
mistakes happen and nothing in public construction happens easily.
Things don’t always work perfectly or go as planned. But I Will not be
tone deaf to the town’s needs and I will react and I will give them my
full attention. I will resolve issues and have answers. If I have to use
that awful phrase, “I will get back to you on that” then I will at the very
least make good on that promise and get back to you.

My Board of Selectman meetings will be transparent. And they will
darn sure be audible. Public comment at meetings will become a
meaningful exchange and a source of information where answers are
received. I can‘t guarantee that you‘ll like the answers, but I’ll do
everything I can to get them to you’ promptly. I will seek out
candidates for town positions and boards based on their attributes and
qualifications over party affiliation. This is evidenced by my decision
to let roles currently filled by competent people go unchallenged in this
election. I believe the good of the town, and responsibility to its
taxpayers should always take precedent over political gamesmanship.

These are easy promises for me to keep. It’s the way hard-working
people operate. They listen. They react. They take action. They reach
timely resolutions. The town leader is hired by the public in the voting
booth and that leadership works for the voters. If you hire me, I will
work my tail off for you. Please feel free to contact me personally
at dnld1w@aol.com or 860 778 3394.

Citizen News Insert, September 23, 2015. Click either image to enlarge. (If you do not see an image, click this post’s title.)

Citizen News, September 9, 2015.

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my enthusiastic support
for the candidacies of Don Lowe and Ashleigh
Blake in Sherman. While both are familiar, friendly
faces in town, each brings a solid background of
valuable experience with them. Don has served in
the roles of Selectman, Chairman of the Sherman
Land Acquisition Board, and a member of Planning
and Zoning. Ashleigh served as Vice Chairman of
the Sherman Conservation Commission for eight
years and has volunteered extensively in town at the
Library, the Historical Society, Weed Warriors,
Matthews Hearts of Hope, Happy Acres and M25.

But perhaps most importantly, both Don and
Ashleigh bring a deep and informed commitment to
the Sherman School at a time of change and
upheaval there. Don has served as a Board Member
on the Sherman Higher Education Fund since 2001,
and is a regular volunteer at the School. His
educational background includes a Master’s Degree
in professional writing, and he works as an adjunct
professor of college writing. Don tutors local
students of all ages in a variety of subjects. and
takes special interest in working toward academic
excellence with “at risk” students. Don’s talents
were recognized when he was selected as the
Commencement Speaker at the Sherman School
graduation this June.

Ashleigh served as the President of the Sherman
Parent Teacher Organization from 2012- 2015. and
as Secretary of that same board from 2011-2012.
Her devotion to the school is evident in Ashleigh’s
tireless work with the school community, and her
efforts were celebrated when she was the recipient
of the Sherman School Friend of Education Award
in both 2014 and 2015. Sherman School Board
members will recognize Ashleigh‘s regular and
involved presence at their meetings.

With leadership at the Sherman School evolving
and adjustments likely to be necessary as the school
moves forward over the next years, the town will
benefit greatly from the kind of pragmatic, balanced
guidance that Don and Ashleigh have demonstrated
to so many organizations in Sherman, but especially
to the school.

Lisa Bilbrough,
Sherman