Why does it always seem like those that decry partisan politics are so quick to apply a “we verse them” approach to town elections. Claiming that any republican candidate’s platform must have an insidious underlying agenda. Calls for greater transparency are instantly turned into “Mistrust of the Administration”. Parental input in curriculum is now “a desire to burn books”. I have stated this before, as a member of the RTC, national politics seldom ever enters our meetings or conversations and I have never seen any strategy sessions on how to instill some secret agenda.
I consider myself a moderate republican and there are many like me both in the RTC and in town. I am a Republican because my priorities and beliefs naturally align more with the party. This is a perspective that I believe many people in town have taken in their party affiliation and it’s one that I presume when discussing any issue. However, some appear to approach it quite differently. Their view is that if you are a Republican, you have been brainwashed to promote an agenda and any belief you have must stem from some prescribed national narrative. My personal belief in greater transparency and parental involvement stems from the thousands of hours of work I saw from parents on the Later Start Times initiative, not from a national playbook. That message resonates with many parents and it is what makes Row B candidates Matt Wexler, Lara Kelly, Matthew Campbell, and Hugo Alves such compelling candidates. These candidates truly understand that there is a reason they are elected and not appointed. They know that it will be their responsibility to represent parents and all who live in this town “D” or “R”.
I encourage those who claim a desire to tone down the rhetoric and truly want a bipartisan town government to listen to the platforms and messages of the candidates with an open mind. Filter out those with their own interpretations of what they think candidates must stand for based on some national party narrative. Don’t listen to little snippets of podcasts or 5 word quotes conveniently extracted. Take the time to read and listen to the candidate platforms to form your opinions. I have made the attempt to do so and strongly believe in the clear message of transparency and parental input Row B advocates for. And that is why they will have my Vote next week.
