Hello again to all my friends! You're receiving this because you were on the front lines with me over the summer as we worked to get the Board of Selectmen to walk back an unfortunate decision regarding the Town Center reconstruction and the Belmont Center lawn. While we couldn't claim total success, our struggle did force the Selectmen to compromise on the final design. In the meantime, it also inspired many in town to pay closer attention to the workings of our elected officials and to hold them to account. Tomorrow - April 5- is election day. It's when we, as voters, get to finally have our say. No surprise: some of those who were motivated to voice their dissatisfaction over the Town Center Lawn went on to seek office, renew or deepen their involvement with town affairs. With the election tomorrow, I wanted to write and remind you all to vote and to join me in helping some of those fellow Belmontonians who lent their voices to the conversation over the Town Lawn to make it over the hump tomorrow. This is obviously only one measure to use to evaluate a candidate and there are many fine candidates who are not on this list, but given your involvement with the dispute over the Center and the Town Lawn, I thought this might be useful to you as you consider who to vote for! Among the folks who made a difference on the Town Center lawn debate this summer: + Alexandra Ruban, candidate for Belmont Selectwoman Alexandra was a signatory to the petition to restore the original design for the Town Center, whereas her opponent was the first vote on the Board to restore the cut through. As you may know: I'm a strong supporter of Alexandra and feel like she will bring great energy to the job of Selectwoman. I ask you to join me in supporting Alexandra - a mother and businesswoman who wants to put Belmont back on track with its Vision 21 plan and make our town government more transparent and accountable. As someone who battled all summer to get "Plan A" restored in Belmont Center, I'm sure you can relate. + Paul Rickter, candidate for Town Meeting P8 and Belmont Housing Authority: Paul was a signatory to both the original petition and the petition calling for a special Town Meeting. He was with us every step of the way in the struggle to restore Plan A. His dedication and perseverance (not to mention his good ideas) were a huge asset. Paul will be an amazing asset on Belmont Housing Authority, which manages the town's public housing assets. Vote for him! + Andrea Prestwich, candidate for School Committee: Andrea also signed the petition to call for a restoration of Plan A and was a consistent supporter of the original design and our efforts to hold the Board accountable. An astrophysicist by profession, Andrea brings a scientist's (and math nerd's) eye for detail to the job of School Committee member. I urge you to make her your candidate for the Committee! Town Meeting: Precinct 8 (my precinct) + Gi Hyun Yoon-Huang, Town Meeting P8 – Gi was a critical member of the group that fought for the Town Lawn this summer - a quiet but insistent advocate for the original plan (Plan A), sitting patiently at late night Board of Selectmen meetings – often with young children in tow – to make sure her voice was heard. She’s a physician and a mom and would be an amazing asset to Town Meeting. + Steven Saar, Town Meeting P8– Another supporter of the original design and signatory, Steve is a longtime Belmont resident who is taking his first stab at Town Meeting, but he’s been politically involved for a long time. A physicist by profession, he's a thoughtful and measured personality who will be a great asset to Town Meeting. + Marty Bitner, Town Meeting P8 – Marty is another signatory to our petition calling for the restoration of the Town Lawn. The father of two young boys (Bruno: 7 and Nico: 1) and has been very involved in the Winn Brook community. He’s also a Ph.D astrophysicist who is working as a software engineer. Super great guy focused on long term financial viability. Pro Community Path, pro Solar. A big “yes.” + Kathleen "Fitz" Cowing, Town Meeting P8 - a signatory to the original petition calling for restoration of Plan A, Kathleen also gave an impassioned address to the Board and Town Meeting that helped us ultimately win a vote to restore Plan A. + Diane Beckley Miller, Town Meeting P8 - Diane signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. Robin Whitworth, Town Meeting P8 - Robin signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. Precinct 1 + Adriana Poole, Town Meeting P1 - Adriana's support was critical this summer. She picked up the petition we needed to call a Special Town meeting and ran with it, rallying supporters and providing passion and spark to our cause. Vote for her in P1! + Joanne Birge, Town Meeting P1 - I hadn't met Joanne prior to this summer, but was as impressed with her as everyone else. An attorney by profession, she's super smart and has great ideas and insights. Her support on the Town Lawn was absolutely essential and she never lost heart. I'm sorry only that we couldn't convince her to run for higher office! Vote for her in P1 for Town Meeting. + Michael Libenson, Town Meeting P1: A longtime member of the Warrant Committee, Michael was supportive of efforts to restore Plan A and a great source of advice and insight throughout the process. He'd be a great addition to TM from P1! + Christine Doyle, Town Meeting P1 - Christine signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. + Alina Lisanke, Town Meeting P1 - I worked with Alina on Yes for Belmont. Super smart and involved and a strong supporter of the public schools. Alina was also a signatory of the petition calling for restoration of Plan A in the Town Center. A strong "yes" for P1. + Daniel Vernick, Town Meeting P1 Dan signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. Precinct 2: + Caroline Huang, Town Meeting P2 - Caroline signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. Precinct 3: + Elizabeth (Betsy) Klimasmith, Town Meeting P3- Elizabeth signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. + Janet Kruse, Town Meeting P3 - Jan signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. + James Herron, Town Meeting P3 - James signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. + Martin Plass, Town Meeting P3 - Marty signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. Precinct 4: none Precinct 5: + Edward Sanderson, Town Meeting P5- Ed signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. + Lucia Wille, Town Meeting P5- Lucia signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. Precinct 6: + Julia Kirrane, Town Meeting P6 - Julia signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. + Brian Saper, Town Meeting P6 - Brian signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. + Katherine Poulin-Kerstien, Town Meeting P6 - Katherine signed the petition to call for restoration of Plan A. Precinct 7: none Best, Paul