THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021 Page 5 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 enjoy being a public servant and have served in several appointed and elected positions in town. Overall, I truly feel that my experience, independent voice and ability to respect somebody’s position on an issue is needed in our community. I hope I can make a difference. The challengers Leo M. Fonseca, Jr. A: The single most important reason I have chosen to run is, simply put, my two beautiful children. My wife Erin and I have chosen to raise them in Saugus, and I want to be part of shaping the Town’s future as we shape theirs. I believe my experience leading people and businesses in the private sector will be valuable in continuing to make Saugus a better place to live, for my family and yours. Elizabeth Marchese A: The single most important reason I have decided to run for Selectman is simple.... I love this town, I love our families, and I love our children. This town and its families took me in 20 years ago and made me one of its own. It has given my family lasting friendships, memories and the upbringing I had as a child. I want to once again pay this forward so that our next generations will have the same. I believe that I will bring a fresh perspective to the board bridging the gap between the needs of our senior population and those of our younger families as I have the advantageous benefit of having family members living here that are on both sides... My 80 year old father right down the line to my 3 year old granddaughter. Saugus is our home and I want it to stay that way doing anything I can to help better it for us all. Animal Control Officer Darren R. McCullough I have been a lifelong Saugonian. I love the Town of Saugus. They were there for me when needed. I felt, it was a good opportunity for me to get involved and give back. The community is growing and heading in a positive direction and I would like to be part of that. The residents of Saugus deserve the best. new schools, sports facilities, parks and a great education. The current administration has done an amazing job. I look forward to working with each and every member. Saugus Police Officer Domenic Montano A: I feel as though it is my mission to continue to be a voice for the community. I dedicate my time to being involved in town and being a role model for our youth. I want to be the voice for our seniors, veterans and disabled community while continuing to maintain a strong presence in town and making a more vibrant downtown. I want to see to Saugus as a beautiful place for years to come. Retired Animal Control Officer Harry Young A: Some of the many reasons why I decided to run for the Board of Selectmen is because I want to see more forward motion on some projects. Things such as finishing our sidewalks and streets for the safety of our residents. I would like to see the town work towards trying to relieve the many traffic issues in town. We also need to stop the over building on route one which is causing a strain on services. These are the reasons why I am running for Board of Selectmen. For the School Committee Q: In 75 words or less, what is the single most important reason why you have decided to run for the School Committee this year? The incumbents: Ryan P. Fisher A: We faced every tough decision. We got the district through the worst days of the pandemic, put 2,700 kids back into classrooms, kept our staff whole, and hired a 21st century superintendent who will move Saugus into the top 10% while defending our ELL community from the assertion that not every child is inclined to greatness. We can’t afford to return to the politics of embarrassment and personal agendas. I’m running to finish the job. School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould A: I decided to run for a second term to work with our new superintendent on our short and long term goals that will enhance our students educational opportunities for all students. I really would like to assist by assuring we have the policies, the funding and contracts in place to develop and excel at our new three school system. I have and will continue to give many hours and effort to move our district forward for our students, teachers and staff. We can and will improve Saugus’s standing in education. School Committee Member Arthur Grabowski A: I have decided to run for reelection to the school committee to continue to be an advocate for the students of our town as well as continue to demand accountability. Recently a chorus teaching position was to be eliminated at the middle school/high school complex...this position is posted as a one year, grant funded position...this is totally unacceptable...this position is as important as any math, history or languages arts teaching position and should be filled accordingly. School Committee Member John S. Hatch A: Having served on the committee eight years before, I never encountered tougher decisions than this board faced. Most of this board was united as a team. I am proud that my children are products of the district, my son a freshman at UMass Lowell, and my daughter a freshman at Saugus Middle High. I am excited for the standards our superintendent has put forth. We need a culture change that gives power to educators and not old time Saugus politics. School Committee Chair Thomas R. Whittredge A: Two things I wanted to accomplish over the last 2 years was to help our educators get the tools needed for 21st century learning and to bring stability to the district. We were able to accomplish both goals even through an extremely tumultuous year and a half of Covid. We are heading in the direction that I had hoped we would. I want to make sure the district doesn’t take a step back to the days of political vendettas and being close to state receivership. We definitely have some unfinished business and it’s not always easy, but every kid in the district deserves my best efforts. The challengers Leigh Gerow A: I was motivated to run for School Committee by a desire to broaden the representation on the board and to ensure that we are meeting the needs of all students in the Saugus Public Schools. As a mom and a parent to a 7-year-old Belmonte STEAM student, I bring the skills, experience and fresh perspective that the board vitally needs. Former School Committee Member Vincent Serino A: Dear Saugus Advocate; I want to thank you for this opportunity to participate in “The Advocate Asks.” I was on the Saugus School Committee in the past. I took a lot from that experience. The reason I decided to run again is to help with the communication between parents, students’ teachers, and administrators. Our education system, like everything else, is changing fast. We need to keep everyone involved informed on a real-time basis. We have all the tools to make Saugus education a success.
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