THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, November 1, 2019 ~ Political Announcement ~ Page 15 Former School Committee Member Arthur Grabowski seeks a return to office A s you probably already know, I am a candidate for the School Committee. I am a candidate that has no relatives working in the Saugus Public Schools. I have no relatives working in the Town Hall. I myself do not work for the town manager in the Town Hall. I am not affiliated with any group or youth group in town. I am not in any position to have certain things promised to me or my affiliations that may be used to try and influence or sway me in any way, shape or manner. Rather than bore you with talk of “changing the culture”, or bringing back “Sachem Pride....I will be putting forth some concrete steps that I think are essential to stop the district from sliding further into possible state intervention. When I was first elected to the School Committee, we were a level 2 school district; we had a level 1 school -- the Oaklandvale that was visited by the Governor in recognition of that achievement. We had four curriculum coordinators; we had a person who wrote many grants that we received to supplement inadequate funding. As each subsequent budget came around we faced death by a thousand cuts. … our budget was never adequately funded by the town manager or town meeting. Each subsequent year, we lost a little more, programs were cut, tuitions were raised, positions were cut. Foreign lanchange, and as the educational leader, he has to shepherd that change throughout the district. Teacher evaluations have to be rigorous and fair. Every student is entitled to a highly qualified and competent teacher in front of their classroom. If remedial action is necessary, Arthur Grabowski School Committee candidate guages were cut and made electives instead of requirements. Graduation requirements were lowered. Two years ago, the Saugus school district was rated in the bottom 25 percent of all school districts in the Commonwealth. … today the Middle School and High School have sunk to the bottom 10 percent of all school districts. This slide HAS GOT TO STOP! We have achieved a great deal of success at the elementary level as witnessed by the success at the Lynnhurst. WE need to find out what is working at that level and use best practices to convert that to success at the Middle and High Schools. The first step will be accountability … how can the school committee rate the Superintendent as “proficient” with the two secondary schools performing as dismal as they are? The Superintendent has to be on notice that things need to then it must be undertaken to ensure a quality teaching effort is being made. There is no room for “sacred cows” nor politically protected individuals. Whatever steps need to be taken to ensure quality in our efforts. I wish I had more space to go over some other ideas I have to increase student achievement but I am limited. As for the School Committee itself I want to bring back the notion that the elected members are servants of the people who elected them … that means meeting time that is conducive to public participation... 7 p.m. not 5:30 p.m. or 7 a.m. Members being able to put on the agenda for discussion any issues or thoughts that they feel are necessary … No executive sessions unless absolutely necessary. All public records are readily accessible to all members of the public without having to jump through hoops to obtain them. These are just a few thoughts I have to start off with. …If you elect me to the School Committee I promise to be a voice for you and the students, and to listen to all points of view....thank you. Andrew Whitcomb offers a teen’s perspective as Town Meeting candidate M y name is Andrew Whitcomb and I am excited to announce my candidacy for Town Meeting in Precinct 4. I am running for town meeting because I want to serve as a voice for my neighbors and the town that I love. I promise to serve the people of Precinct 4 with the utmost integrity and speak on their behalf, no matter what the issue is. I have lived in Saugus for my entire life and my family has called our town home for four generations. In 2019, I graduated from Northeast Vocational High School with a degree in Business Technology. I currently study Business at UMass Lowell. While I may not have the experience that many town meeting members have, I feel that I bring a unique perspective as a student. If elected I would become the youngest town meeting member (19 years old) and I feel that is a good thing. I believe that it is important for representatives to be vocal about resident’s concerns and what they feel strongly about. I started attending town meetings about 4 years ago as a resident because I wanted to stay informed about what was happening in town. I haven’t missed a meeting since. With the new middle/high school set to finish construction in 2020 and some of the A YOUNGER STATESMAN: At 19, Andrew Whitcomb hopes to become the youngest member of Town Meeting. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) remaining schools set to be repurposed, I would like to see more diversity in the town infrastructure. The land from these schools could be turned into low-income and veterans housing. Perhaps one lot could be turned into a skate park or outdoor roller rink. Personally, I think the Oaklandvale School could serve as an ideal location for a west-side fire station. Ultimately it is up to the people of Saugus to decide. I would be honored to serve the people of Saugus and Precinct 4. If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at andrewwhitcomb92@gmail.com Please consider me for one of your 5 votes on Tuesday, November 5. #2 on the Ballot. S teve Horlick, a long-time participant in the town’s loHorlick seeks Housing Authority seat and reelection to Town Meeting I haven’t supported and will cal government as an elected and appointed official, is running for two offices in the Nov. 5 town elections. Horlick, retired and a 30year Saugus resident, is a candidate for a four-year term on the Saugus Housing Authority. He also seeks re-election to a fourth two-year term on Saugus Town Meeting, representing residents of Precinct 8. The Saugus Housing Authority is in charge of housing for our elderly, and disabled. The housing units are between 40 to 50 years old and in great need of upgrades and repairs. The State of Mass. has not built any new units in over 10 years, but at the same time they have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in new housing and upgrades in surrounding communities. Because of their age, muchneeded upgrades to the units, SEEKING TWO OFFICES: Besides running for reelection, veteran Town Meeting Member Steve Horlick wants to be elected to the Housing Authority.(Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) elevators, roads and additional parking are also needed. Working with other members and the state this can be accomplished. When the new Saugus Middle/High School, Belmonte and Veterans Schools are completed, Saugus will have five schools and one public building vacant. Some of these can be used for senior housing with the help of state funds. Saugus can also use these buildings for over 55, affordable and Veterans housing. Saugus’s past mistake was to sell our public buildings to private developers, leaving Saugus saying for the next 30 years – “We could do that type of development if we only had a building.” Dear Saugus voter, I am asking for your vote and continuing support representing you as your Town Meeting Member of Precinct 8. Over the past four years as your Town Meeting Member, I have been able to support and vote for progress throughout Saugus. New Middle / High Schools, new equipment for Police, Fire and DPW. Additional funding for our Schools, as well as our Senior Center, Library, Parks, Playgrounds and other departments. As a current member of the Finance Committee, I have been able to vote on a balanced budget over the past several years, which has allowed Saugus to have a Stabilization Account of over 8 million dollars. As a School Building Committee member, I have been able to be involved in the design of a new modern Middle/High School with a savings of 9 million dollars directly from my votes on FinCom and Town Meeting. I have been able to get much needed improvements in Precinct 8, including road, sidewalks, water and sewer repair and replacements. Meeting with the Town Manager I was able to get the abandoned building on Denver St. by the Rail Trail removed along with the replacement of the old tennis court on Central Street into new and safe basketball courts. continue to oppose wasteful spending of your tax dollars or water rates that are not fair to the ratepayers. I will not support expansion of the Resco Incinerator and Ash Landfill because we need to close the Ash Landfill and develop a plan for post closure use. Then work on a date to do the same on the Incinerator I ask for one of your five votes Tuesday, Nov. 5th – Steve Horlick, Town Meeting Precinct 8, Ballot Position #2. Horlick’s past public service includes 10 years on the Board of Selectmen. He has also been a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. He is currently finishing his sixth year on Town Meeting, representing residents of Precinct 8. Horlick is also in his sixth year as a member of the Finance Committee while serving on the Saugus Middle/High School Building Committee.
16 Publizr Home