THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 20, 2023 Page 5 A t 32 years old, I am the youngest candidate in this 27-candidate race. government more agile and effi cient? 2. How can we simplify and For those who don’t know me, I’m Joe - I bought a home on Baker Hill in 2015 with my wife Katie after growing up on Essex Street and graduating from Saugus High in 2009. I currently work in Boston as a registered Architect. I have two young daughters, Amelia and Aurora, and a Boston Terrier named Porter. I got involved in local politics in 2019 serving as a two-term Town Meeting member in Precinct 2, member of the Planning Board, member of the Economic Development Committee, Chairman of the Cliftondale Revitalization Committee, and member of the Sidewalk Committee. I believe meaningful, periodic discussions and debate about our charter is healthy. We last considered changes in the charter in 2009 and even then, a considerable number of residents and the commission itself felt it was antiquated, narrowly failing the at-large vote. That was 14 years ago. There were some great ideas in that proposal that are still relevant today and I think there are some further refi nements that can help us improve the function, agility, effi ciency, accountability, and temperature of our government and its associated bodies. A charter revision will affect an entire generation of Saugonians that are moving here, raising young families, and will shape what Saugus will become the most long clarify our processes and structure to increase citizen participation and engagement? 3. How do we better delegate authority beyond a single individual? 4. How do we promote better collaboration and cooperation between and across boards and committees? 5. How can we increase acJoe Vecchione (Courtesy photo to the Saugus Advocate) term. I feel that voice is a critical one in this race as one in a nine-member body and I am committed to representing this perspective. ‘I don’t support people, I support ideas.’ That statement, one that I have said to many over the past 4 years, rubs some people the wrong way in a Town where skepticism and cynicism looms large and political connections run deep and carry weight, but it’s something I’ve never been interested in, even at the expense of an idea that I bring forward. While I’m resistant to prescribe specifi cally what I think should be changed in the charter as that collaboration and compromise needs to happen between the nine of us carefully over the next 1824 months, I can tell you where my focus is and the questions I’ll be asking: 1. How can we make our countability, visibility, communication, and access to our town offi cials? 6. How can we promote more consistently competitive elections where people know their representatives and what they stand for? 7. And how can we best communicate these proposed changes to the residents of Saugus to be informed as to why this change improves our government? These questions each have nuance and complexity associated with each of them, but I do believe they are the right ones to ask. This debate needs to be more than who will be the next chief executive in town, who’s on what “side”, or what hot political issue is being debated at the moment. This is a long-term change that will profoundly aff ect generations of Saugonians and ultimately how we function. I ask that you vote YES for the Charter Commission and humbly ask for one of your nine votes to be a collaborator in this process. Thank you. Joe Vecchione 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Daily 4:00 PM Closed Sunday Starting Monday, September 11... We’re back to serving our Full Menu featuring all your favorite Italian Specialties and American Classics! Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s www.eight10barandgrille.com “ I bring an impart ial voice, free from any confl icts of interest , and pledge to priori t ize the well -being of our residents and the long- term prosperi ty of Saugus. e l e c t i n g c omm i s s i o n memb e r s w i t h a neutral stance and a commi tment to a thorough inquiry is essent ial for a successful charter review. The f inal recommendat ions of the Commission should be grounded in communi ty input and supported by data-driven evidence. “ Vote Matthew Parlante on November 7th for one of your ni ne votes for Charter Commi ssion
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