To the editor:
“The primary role of a selectboard in our Commonwealth is to act as an oversight body. To use a baseball metaphor, the selectboard mostly serves to call balls and strikes. Its role is to guide the community to consensus on spending priorities, create bylaws that help community members live well together, and set an inclusive tone for all who live and own businesses in the town. Elected officials must represent everyone in town, not just specific factions.”
These are the words of Andy Potter, who is running as a candidate for selectboard in West Stockbridge. These are words Andy takes to heart.
For six years, Andy represented West Stockbridge on the School Committee for the Berkshire Hills Regional School District. He did this with distinction. For almost four of those years, I witnessed first-hand what a thoughtful and honorable person Andy is. Although I represented Stockbridge, both Andy and I recognized that, as School Committee members, he and I and all our fellow members represent all of the district towns — Great Barrington, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge — equally. Our job was to guide the community to consensus on budget priorities and to create an atmosphere of support that helped the school district thrive and be successful. Every single person who worked and continues to work in the school district are important to us. Most importantly, every single child that walks through the doors of our schools must be our top priority, not just those students that live in the towns we are elected to represent.
Andy’s willingness to listen and thoughtfulness to consider all sides of a discussion are a tremendous asset to our community. Andy will call out people with biases and agendas. I love that about him. But, most all, Andy will pay the utmost respect and kindness to each and every individual he meets. This makes Andy a truly beautiful person. Andy can help make great things happen in West Stockbridge and that is why I strongly encourage you to vote for him for selectboard.
Rich Bradway
Stockbridge
