{"id":43809,"date":"2023-05-04T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelandmark.com\/?p=43809"},"modified":"2023-05-04T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T10:00:00","slug":"letters-of-support-for-candidates-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/2023\/05\/04\/letters-of-support-for-candidates-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Letters of support for candidates"},"content":{"rendered":"
Kirshenbaum, Poole, Curran deserve your vote<\/div>\n

Some questions for Holden Select Board and School Committee candidates: What is the WOKE agenda and how is it being implemented in our school district or library?<\/p>\n

Define Critical Race Theory. What do we eliminate from our course of studies or our library shelves in order to \u201cprotect\u201d our children from it?<\/p>\n

If these concepts \u2014 once they have been defined and illustrated by example \u2014 are indoctrinating kids, why are we only discovering their pernicious existence now? Could this be a nationwide effort to scare parents to death about the dangers to their children of a public school education?<\/p>\n

Should we pass laws at the district or state level to spare students the pain of learning about slavery or the treatment of indigenous peoples or the civil rights\u2019 struggles of minorities including Blacks, women and the LBGTQ+ community? Should we forbid discussion of controversial topics? Isn\u2019t that discussion the essence of education?<\/p>\n

I suggest you define your terms, then tell us what you believe should be ripped out of the district curriculum or the library, although that is not part of your job description.<\/p>\n

I suggest that if you don\u2019t want your child to read a book, don\u2019t let them read it.<\/p>\n

I suggest that if the realities of slavery make your child sad, then you have raised a compassionate and empathetic child.<\/p>\n

Please also explain how the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy is indoctrination or communist or just plain bad. My teaching days are far behind me, but I think we still want kids to be nice to each other.<\/p>\n

Vote for Laura Kirshenbaum and write in Shannon Poole, 12 Windsor Court for School Committee. Vote for Tom Curran for Select Board.<\/p>\n

\n Maureen Floryan<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Jefferson<\/p>\n

Keep Holden moving forward Holden neighbors and voters, On May 8, voters in Holden will elect a member of the Select Board and two WRSD School Committee members. These elected officials will have key roles in determining the future of our town and schools. I will vote for a future that includes moving forward, in recognition that we are not nor should we be the Holden of the 1950s.<\/p>\n

Please join me in voting for Tom Curran to continue his position on the Select Board, Laura Kirshenbaum as incumbent for the Wachusett Regional School District School Committee and writein candidate Shannon Poole, 12 Windsor Court for School Committee.<\/p>\n

Tom has served our community in both his current position and as a past member of the school committee. Holden needs a select board member who has worked in town government as an elected official. He carefully reviews the issues, makes decisions based on sound fiscal practices, and participates in various town board and committee meetings to best understand the issues and thereby make decisions that promote and support the needs of Holden.<\/p>\n

Laura Kirshenbaum will continue providing knowledgeable and sound direction as a member of the school committee. As both a public school teacher and parent of two children in the district schools, she is committed to improving schools, making each a learning environment where all students will thrive. She was instrumental in the hiring of a new superintendent, developing the critical DEI policy that will ensure a safe and respectful learning setting for all students, and safely returning students to in-person learning.<\/p>\n

Shannon Poole is seeking his first elected position in Holden, as a candidate for school committee. He has three children in the district schools and will bring the knowledge and perspective of a caring parent to the position. Shannon will advocate for the needs of all students; children with special needs, those in advanced classes and students of varied backgrounds. He will be a thoughtful steward of school finances, ensuring that a sound budget is developed to keep our district moving forward. Please write in Shannon Poole on May 8.<\/p>\n

Vote for Curran, Kirshenbaum and Poole to keep Holden moving forward.<\/p>\n

\n Karen King<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Holden<\/p>\n

Holden is not an island unto itself We have a great opportunity to vote for Tom Curran and Shannon Poole on May 8.<\/p>\n

Holden is not an island unto itself. Tom Curran realizes the lack of multifamily housing is a societal issue that affects everyone and does not recognize municipal boundaries. Does Holden only want the benefits but not the responsibilities that Worcester and Boston are trying to solve? An issue like the lack of multifamily housing is a statewide issue that either directly or indirectly affects everyone, regardless of where you happen to live.<\/p>\n

As a recently retired public school teacher, I encourage every voter in Holden to go to Common Core Standards for Massachusetts. Become familiar with the standards. The standards are preparing our students in Holden for the 21st-century demands. CRT is not a Common Core Standard. Shannon Poole is ready to take on the challenge to continue to move our schools forward so our children can meet the demands of the future.<\/p>\n

I encourage every Holden voter to support Tom Curran and writein candidate Shannon Poole.<\/p>\n

\n Patty Jacobs<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Holden<\/p>\n

Curran, Kirshenbaum, Poole put the focus on commitment and service I would like to share with Holden residents the candidates I am supporting in the upcoming local election and my reasons.<\/p>\n

Tom Curran is running for a 3-year term as town selectman. Tom has been serving on the select board this past year and has previously served on the Wachusett Regional School District School Committee. In each position, Tom seeks to serve and represent all of his constituents, from all backgrounds and viewpoints. He always has an available ear and an open mind to consider issues and concerns. He thinks carefully about each issue, researches solutions, and devotes time and energy to his commitment to serve. He conducts himself with integrity and respect for others at all times. He is a true representative and role model, and I encourage you to give him your vote.<\/p>\n

Laura Kirshenbaum is running for re-election to the WRSD School Committee. She has children in the district and works hard to serve and support an education system that supports all of our children as well as our educators. Her experience and commitment make her a valuable asset to our committee.<\/p>\n

Shannon Poole is a write-in candidate for the WRSD School Committee. He is a relatively new resident of Holden, and has three young children, two of whom attend Davis Hill Elementary. He is already involved in our community, in tune with the responsibilities facing our school committee, and eager to serve our children and educators. He believes in education that creates a learning environment for students of all abilities and backgrounds, and in supporting our educators with the resources they need to provide the best education for all of the students in our district. To vote for Shannon, you will need to write in his full name, address (12 Windsor Court) and fill in the bubble next to the write in.<\/p>\n

All three candidates have children in the school district and a personal investment in our town and education system. These candidates take the rancor out of politics and put the focus on commitment and service. If you have questions for any of them, I strongly encourage you to reach out to them.<\/p>\n

Please vote for these candidates on May 8.<\/p>\n

Thank you.<\/p>\n

\n Robin Chapman<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Holden Cooley, Newton will serve Holden well Holden will be wellserved voting for Steve Cooley for Selectman and Judy Newton for the Wachusett Regional School District School Committee.<\/p>\n

Steve is well-educated and well-informed about the issues that we face as a community. He\u2019s thoughtful, approachable and open to listening to different points of view, without attacking those who may not agree with him.<\/p>\n

Steve has had firsthand experience living in a region where too much dependence was placed on unreliable alternative energy sources, resulting in a lack of dependable energy for citizens. Winters are cold here. Steve understands the risks of losing power because of too much dependence on sources like wind and solar. He wants Holden to have safe and reliable energy at all times.<\/p>\n

Steve wants Holden, not Boston, to decide what types of housing and development is built here. The MBTA project is not about affordable housing, it\u2019s about \u201cmulti-family dwellings,\u201dwhichwould be erected in our town but not go through our normal permitting processes. Allowing the state to force Holden to go along with this plan will be a slippery slope. What happens if they continue to tell us how to run our town? Steve will represent Holden\u2019s interests, not Boston\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Judy Newton is well-educated and informed about the challenges faced by our schools, teachers and the children they serve. She is aware of the enormous pressure felt by teachers and of the large number of parents in our community who have felt unheard and ignored by our own school committee.<\/p>\n

Judy advocates for the well-being, mental health and education of all children. She has heard parents\u2019 concerns about the growing focus on things like racial inequity, where children (as I understand) are told that they are oppressors or the oppressed based solely on their skin color. She has heard parents\u2019 concerns about age-inappropriate curriculum regarding sexual and gender preferences. Judy will implement a parent advisory board, enabling parents to have transparency regarding curriculum and materials available to their children. Judy will fight for all of our children.<\/p>\n

Please vote for Steve Cooley and Judy Newton on May 8.<\/p>\n

\n Amy Miller<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Holden<\/p>\n

Cooley, Newton can stop progressive socialism To the residents of the town of Holden, Have you asked yourself what will be the result of electing a progressive slate of leaders to the Board of Selectmen and the school committee in Holden?<\/p>\n

It means that a developer will be able to buy the single-family home next door to you, raze it to the ground, and build a multistory apartment complex for dozens of families. The neighborhood and town will have zero ability to stop it. This building explosion will happen in every single-family neighborhood in Holden. It means massive increases in traffic, noise and pollution. It guarantees negative impacts on municipal services, impacts that will precipitate tax increases that make this year\u2019s 5.6% tax increase seem like chicken feed. It\u2019s not about race, class or \u201dbrown people\u201d as progressives like to disrespectfully refer to them as. Even if you packed those apartments with filthy rich people like Donald Trump, Paris Hilton or Kevin Durant, the same negative results will destroy the character of our town and will make it impossible for the average taxpayer to afford to stay here.<\/p>\n

If the idea of having our way of life destroyed turns your stomach like it turns mine, then you have to cast ballots for Steve Cooley and Judy Newton. I don\u2019t agree with them on every issue, but they are the only two candidates who can stop this march to progressive socialism that has destroyed our cities, and now has its sights on the suburbs. Vote Steve Cooley and Judy Newton on Monday, May 8.<\/p>\n

\n Christine Shustak<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Holden<\/p>\n

Cooley, Newton not \u2018radicals\u2019 Holden voters, please vote for Steve Cooley for selectman and Judy Newton for school committee on May 8.<\/p>\n

I was appalled by some of the comments about Steve and Judy in last week\u2019s issue of The Landmark (April 20 issue) describing them as \u201cright-wing radicals,\u201d etc.<\/p>\n

Steve supports our local police and not BLM. He believes Holden should have control over its zoning laws, not the MBTA. He will work to keep our electric bills low and not pursue policies that would raise them. He opposes DEI because it classifies people by what they are not who they are. Hardly right wing.<\/p>\n

Judy served on the WRSD School Committee when it was rated first of regional school committees in the state, not 64th. She will work to get it back to No. 1. She has had a career in finance, the kind of experience the school committee needs. She wants to form a Parent Advisory Committee and let parents have access to the school curriculum. Somethings only \u201cright wing radicals\u201d advocate? I don\u2019t think so.<\/p>\n

Send a message this Monday to people who describe these views as the views of \u201cright wing radicals\u201d and elect Steve Cooley to the Board of Selectmen and Judy Newton to the Wachusett Regional School District School Committee.<\/p>\n

P.S.: I just read a mailer from the Holden Democratic Town Committee. They describe the candidates they are endorsing as \u201cmoderate,\u201d but I noticed they didn\u2019t tell us what they stand for. Hmm.<\/p>\n

\n Michael Brockelman<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Holden<\/p>\n

Cooley, Newton will move boards in positive direction I\u2019m writing to support the candidacies of Steve Cooley for the Holden BOS and Judy Newton for the school committee.<\/p>\n

The BOS should resist the MBTA effort to force Holden to comply with their housing mandates. It is not Holden\u2019s responsibility to solve Boston\u2019s transportation issues; in addition, Holden is a long walk to Union Station.<\/p>\n

A growing Holden needs more electricity. A graduated weaning off fossil energy sources by HMLD is appropriate and necessary (I own two Tesla\u2019s). Cooley\u2019s a smart guy with common sense.<\/p>\n

Turning to the school committee, parents should drive school committee policies, not the political agendas of a fraction of the electorate. Blaming the children of one race for atrocities that occurred generations in the past is the logical equivalent to blaming present day Democrats for slavery, because virtually all slave owners and reconstruction-era Klansmen were Democrats. Soggy thinking. This \u201caccountability policy\u201d damages minority children by teaching them that historically, they were considered inferior. Perceptions acquired early in life persist. I\u2019m a \u201cmelting pot\u201d guy; better to teach children to earn a bright future together than blame a race of children for events that occurred when most of their ancestors were either serfs in Europe or fighting for the Union.<\/p>\n

Our son used to let his children off at school with the words, \u201cLearn a lot, and be kind to others.\u201d I endorse a cooperative, positive philosophy over the politically motivated blame game. The school committee needs to focus on improving the school\u2019s mediocre academic performance critical for the future of all children. However, intellectual mediocrity seems to be where the present committee resides.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t agree with any candidate on every issue, but Steve and Nancy will move both boards in a positive direction.<\/p>\n

\n Richard A. Callahan<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Holden<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some questions for Holden Select Board and School Committee candidates: What is the WOKE agenda and how is it being implemented in our school district or library? Define Critical Race Theory. What do we eliminate from our course of studies or our library shelves in order to \u201cprotect\u201d our children from it? If these concepts \u2014 once they have been defined and illustrated by example \u2014 are indoctrinating kids, why are we only discovering their pernicious existence now? Could this be a nationwide effort to scare parents to death about the dangers to their children of a public school education? Should we pass laws at the district or state level to spare students the pain of learning about slavery or the treatment of indigenous peoples or the civil rights\u2019 struggles of minorities including Blacks, women and the LBGTQ+ community? Should we forbid discussion of controversial topics? Isn\u2019t that discussion the essence of education? I suggest you define your terms, then tell us what you believe should be ripped out of the district curriculum or the library, although that is not part of your job description.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":96545,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43809"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43809\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devcherryroad.com\/news2\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}