Editors Note: For the convenience of our readers, we are presenting together three letters regarding the upcoming election for the Sheffield Board of Selectmen.
Endorsing George Oleen
To the editor:
After careful consideration of the two candidates running for the position of the Sheffield Board of Selectmen, I am heartily endorsing George Oleen for this important role.
In my fifteen years as a resident of this town, I have found George to act with honesty and integrity in the many matters that concern Sheffield residents. In addition to George’s active involvement in our Planning Board, he is a frequent participant in Board of Selectmen Board, raising questions that may challenge the status quo and conventional wisdom, but his care regarding town issues is genuine and sincere and he is open to working to reach consensus. In addition to his roles as an alternate on the Sheffield Conservation Commission, George has extensive experience with health-related matters, having served as a food inspector with the US Department of Agriculture and Sheffield’s Board of Health . He will no doubt provide experience and thoughtfulness on the increasingly important issues that face our boards of health; voters may also want to consider that it is common practice for a Board of Selectmen member to serve, ex officio, as a member of Sheffield’s Board of Health.
Please join me in voting for George Oleen for Sheffield Select Board on May 9. Our town needs George’s honesty and integrity.
Martin Mitsoff
Sheffield
Martin Mitsoff is the outgoing Select Board member, having also served on the Sheffield Board of Health.
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Why I’m voting for Nadine
To the editor:
On Monday, May 9, Sheffield Town voters will elect one of two candidates to a three-year Board of Selectmen term. For this important position, I am voting for Nadine Hawver and ask you to do the same.
Some people may be surprised that I am endorsing Nadine, as Nadine and I have served together before, and it wasn’t always smooth. I’ve come to realize being on the Board of Selectmen, by its nature, isn’t smooth. During this same time, I believe I, as well as Nadine, have had time to realize we have more in common than not, have grown in our abilities to work with others, and have the town’s best interests as our primary goal.
During the three years since we were on the board together, I have watched Nadine take on several key leadership roles; currently she’s on the Council on Aging, Finance Committee, Housing Production Plan, and on the 8-Town Regional School District Planning Board. Each of these would be enough for one person, but Nadine has devoted productive time to each. Being the chair of three of these takes extra time, finesse, and leadership.
I expect Nadine and I will have our moments, but I expect we’ll respect each other’s positions and that, along with Bob Kilmer, we will make for a strong, multi-view Board. Being on a board where there are no differences in opinion does not always provide necessary insights.
Nadine gets down to business and puts in the time. She does her homework and is dedicated to what she takes on. With Martin Mitsoff stepping down, Sheffield needs another experienced, knowledgeable person on the Board of Selectmen. That’s why I’m voting for Nadine; please join me in doing the same.
Rene Wood
Sheffield
The writer chairs the Sheffield Board of Selectmen and has two more years left in her term.
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Hawver: I ask for your vote
To the editor:
On Monday, May 9, the voters of Sheffield will go to the polls to vote for the town’s elected officials. I am asking for your vote for the open seat on the Board of Selectmen.
I have served the residents and taxpayers in this role in the past. I feel I did a good job for Sheffield in those two previous terms. My experience in this role will allow me to hit the ground running without the time it takes to learn how a municipality operates.
In the two years I have been off the board, I have continued to serve the community in some very important roles. I was asked by the Board of Selectmen to serve on the Housing Production Planning Committee to help with writing a plan to bring more affordable housing to our town. This was an issue for our town in 2014 when I first was elected and now is the time for forward movement on this most important topic.
I have experience in housing. I worked for Construct in the 1980s managing the subsidized rental programs and for 18 years I worked for several banks as a mortgage officer, specializing in first time home buyer programs. I currently hold roles on the Sheffield Finance Committee, Council on Aging and am one of three representatives to the Regional School District Planning Board.
Some may worry about the effectiveness of a board with both Rene Wood and Nadine Hawver serving again together. Rene and I have both grown so much in our time serving our town.
In the past two years we have had many opportunities to work together on Sheffield’s financial issues, our concerns with housing and education. It is clear we agree on more issues than not and we both place what is best for the residents and taxpayers of Sheffield as our primary concerns. Rene has written letters of support for my run for this seat. I believe that, while we will not always agree, we will be respectful and listen to each other’s points of view.
Being a selectman is about consistent constructive and cooperative work for the community. I am someone who has served in a very productive way on many boards and committees. I ask for your vote on Monday, May 9. Please Vote Nadine.
Nadine Hawver
Sheffield
