Harvard is a special place, one that requires many volunteers to help to get things done. Without volunteers, Harvard doesn’t run.
For too many cycles there have been uncontested races for elected positions. I am heartened by the competitive races for Select Board that we have had in Harvard this year, as well as an impressive wave of new volunteers to various boards, committees, and commissions this summer.
I was pleased to hear that Eric Ward declared his candidacy for Select Board, and I enthusiastically support his candidacy. I have had the opportunity to serve with Eric on the Finance Committee, as well as work with him while I served on the Select Board. As our budgets continue to get squeezed harder by increases in current benefits, post-employee benefits, and other pressure points, Eric’s long experience dealing with these issues will make him an invaluable addition to the board.
Eric’s greatest strengths are his work ethic and his analytical ability. In his two years as Finance Committee chair, he demonstrated his ability to take in large amounts of data, synthesize it, and arrive, in collaboration with his members, at decisions that serve the town’s best interest.
This year has seen two highly qualified members elected to the Select Board, Eve Wittenberg and Ahmet Corapcioglu. The addition of Eric to the Select Board, along with existing members SusanMary Redinger and Kara Minar, will give Harvard a strong board, ready to move Harvard forward.
Harvard needs a Select Board member who is ready on day one to tackle the difficult issues. Please join me in supporting Eric Ward for Select Board on Oct. 8.
Charles Oliver
Simon Atherton Row
