Every other year we are bombarded with Letters to the Editor listing the many professional qualifications that the author’s preferred candidate has, along with the numerous community organizations the candidate has served on. Let’s face it, all the candidates have great backgrounds and Dionna Carlson, running for First Selectman, is no exception. Dionna has also “been there, done that”. If you want the details, go to her web site at dionna4newcanaan.com.
But being a successful First Selectman in charge of over 1,000 employees and numerous departments and commissions depends more on your leadership skills than your professional background, and this is where Dionna stands out. I’ve known Dionna for over 20 years, both personally and as a fellow BOE member. She has the leadership capabilities that makes her the right choice for First Selectman. Dionna listens to others before she advocates, she believes in transparency, avoids rhetoric, is always calm, is open and sensitive to a wide range of opinions, recognizes that different groups have different needs and expectations, and of course she is approachable.
Yes, Dionna has the professional background and community experience necessary for the job, but more importantly Dionna has the leadership and people skills to lead our town in finding consensus on the many social, educational, zoning, infrastructure, housing, and financial issues that we need to focus on in the next two years. Please join me in voting for Dionna Carlson for First Selectman.
Gene Goodman
