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Community Corner

Simon's own candidacy letter-politician through and through

I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE SECTION I CAPITALIZED:

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for a seat on the Sudbury Board of Selectmen at the June 25 election. 

My wife, Gail-Ann, and I have been Sudbury residents for 30 years.  I am a pharmacist and an attorney.

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I am running for selectman because good town government does not happen by itself, and it does not happen by accident.  It only happens when opportunity and preparation meet good decision-making.  Good decision-making requires study, it takes effort, and it takes an open mind.

As an attorney for 35 years, I combined the detailed thinking required by pharmacy with the broader problem solving analysis inherent in law, such as balancing of interests and fairness to all, in my daily decision making.

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Complex issues come before the Board of Selectmen on a variety of subjects.  A responsible selectman must:

  • study each issue,
  • listen to all sides,
  • gain a firm understanding of the details before him,
  • consider the pros and cons,
  • consider the future ramifications of a decision in one year, five years, ten years, and even longer down the road.

By following these principles, a selectman can make prudent, rational, and informed decisions.  I call it Evidence-Based Decision Making.  There are no short cuts to sound Evidence-Based Decision Making.

I am not part of any political advocacy group in Sudbury, and I am not beholden to any individuals for support.  I have no personal agenda and will not promote the agenda of any special group.  My agenda is simple: The town’s best interests.

UNCIVIL COMMENTS, AT A MEETING OR ON SOCIAL MEDIA, DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND SET A POOR EXAMPLE FOR OUR CHILDREN.  WALL-BUILDING SERVES NO USEFUL PURPOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.  I WANT TO SEE SUDBURY MOVE FORWARD, NOT
BACKWARD. 

INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE POLITICS OF DIVISION TO FILTER DOWN TO US FROM THE NATIONAL LEVEL, LET US RAISE THE BAR FOR CIVIL COMMUNICATION, AND SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OUR CHILDREN AND OTHERS TO FOLLOW.

I have always exercised independent thinking and judgment and will continue that practice as a selectman.  For these reasons, I respectfully ask for your vote on June 25.

My website is: simonforselectman.com.

Leonard A. Simon

Sudbury, MA 01776

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