It is encouraging to see that we have a significant slate of candidates running for office in this year’s town election. Acton succeeds as a town because people are willing to step up and serve on volunteer boards and committees and in the high pressure seats on the towns elected boards.
Many people have asked me who I will be supporting for the two open Selectmen seats and the two School Committee seats. I have submitted a brief endorsement letter to the Beacon but have decided to expand on that in this email to people who have supported me in the past.
First, I would like to thank all of you for your support. Being a Selectman is a very difficult job. The issues that come before us are, by their nature, complicated. The consistent support I received from the people of this town helped me to sort through the issues and attempt to come to decisions that will be in the long term best interest of the town.
In the Selectmen’s race, I am proud to endorse Janet Adatchi. Janet’s training and experience as an attorney is excellent background for understanding the broad range of issues that come before the board. Janet’s role in serving as a volunteer and leader for many years on the Conservation Commission and Community Preservation Commission has shown her willingness and ability to understand complex issues and forge consensus around solutions. Janet understands the issues facing Acton and, if elected, will serve the town well.
I also urge you to vote for Pam Harting Barrat. Pam has a long history of service on a range of town boards and committees including the Planning Board, the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. If she is elected, this experience will help the new board by providing historical perspective on the decisions that it will face in the upcoming years.
Dean Cavaretta has a lot of enthusiasm and energy and a passion for transportation issues. However, I am concerned that because he just moved back to Acton in November after a 10 year absence, taking a seat on the highest board in town may not be the best use of his talents at this time. I would encourage him to volunteer for a couple of years on the Transportation Advisory Committee while he comes up to speed on the issues currently facing the town.
For the school committee, I support Amy Hedison’s candidacy. She brings a strong commitment to the schools and a history of volunteering inside the schools that will allow her to effectively represent the point of view of parents.
I am also supporting Xuan Kong’s bid for re-election to the School Committee. I have enjoyed working with Xuan through the ALG process as the chairs of our respective boards. I believe that in addition to his work on the School Committee his unofficial role as a liaison to the Chinese Community provides significant long term value to the town that we all share.
Regardless of whether you agree with my choices in these races, I encourage you to vote on March 30th. If you cannot vote that day, you may fill out an absentee ballot at Town Hall, of course.
Please feel free to forward this email if you wish to do so.
Paulina Knibbe
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Xuan displays intelligence, a strong commitment towards the Acton community, and a conviction that is best served by diversity on the school committee
Please join me in supporting Xuan Kong by re-electing him to the Acton School Committee. Xuan has been a resident of Acton town for ten years and for the last three years served on the Acton School Committee. As a past educator of Northern Illinois University he offers special and relevant experience to the School Committee as well as an education policy maker.
Xuan displays intelligence, a strong commitment towards the Acton community, and a conviction that is best served by diversity on the school committee. He believes in the School’s mission to provide quality education but also understands the tax burden on our town in supporting education to strike the right balance. He amplifies his philosophy of putting student’s educational benefits first in everything school committee does. He believes that the true measure of our commitment to education should be how well our students are able to learn and how our children will reshape our country’s future.
My family came to know Xuan through his volunteer work as a treasurer for the Acton Boy Scout Troop 284. I like his open-minded nature, financial shrewdness, and being a good effective listener. These personal qualities married with his unwavering commitment and active involvement in our community is a natural extension of his experience as an educator and as a vice-president of research at a medical device company.
I urge you to remind friends and neighbors of the Acton Town by participating in the Acton School Committee election on March 30 and vote for Xuan Kong.
Dr. Vera Gill
Acton
Xuan displays intelligence, a strong commitment towards the Acton community, and a conviction that is best served by diversity on the school committee. He believes in the School’s mission to provide quality education but also understands the tax burden on our town in supporting education to strike the right balance. He amplifies his philosophy of putting student’s educational benefits first in everything school committee does. He believes that the true measure of our commitment to education should be how well our students are able to learn and how our children will reshape our country’s future.
My family came to know Xuan through his volunteer work as a treasurer for the Acton Boy Scout Troop 284. I like his open-minded nature, financial shrewdness, and being a good effective listener. These personal qualities married with his unwavering commitment and active involvement in our community is a natural extension of his experience as an educator and as a vice-president of research at a medical device company.
I urge you to remind friends and neighbors of the Acton Town by participating in the Acton School Committee election on March 30 and vote for Xuan Kong.
Dr. Vera Gill
Acton
Xuan is a former college professor, who cares deeply about education
I am writing to express my support for the re-election of Dr. Xuan Kong to the School Committee. I have known Xuan for over ten years before he first moved to Acton, as we work for the same medical device company.
Xuan is a former college professor, who cares deeply about education. I have seen first hand his attention to detail, analytical approach, and drive for excellence. As a Conant parent, I believe his diverse educational background is much appreciated. We live in a multicultural town with a diverse student population. Our School Committee members should be reflective of this diversity and their different viewpoints valued.
Xuan is also a hard worker and has contributed greatly to the School Committee these last three years. He is not easily replaced. I urge you to vote for Xuan Kong for re-election to the School Committee.
Rainer Maas,
Acton
Xuan is a former college professor, who cares deeply about education. I have seen first hand his attention to detail, analytical approach, and drive for excellence. As a Conant parent, I believe his diverse educational background is much appreciated. We live in a multicultural town with a diverse student population. Our School Committee members should be reflective of this diversity and their different viewpoints valued.
Xuan is also a hard worker and has contributed greatly to the School Committee these last three years. He is not easily replaced. I urge you to vote for Xuan Kong for re-election to the School Committee.
Rainer Maas,
Acton
Xuan has a very good understanding of how hard the teachers, administration, staff, and parents work in this town to bring such a fabulous education
I am writing this letter to support School Committee member Xuan Kong, who is running for re-election. I have known Xuan Kong for several years through our volunteer work as parents at Gates School. As a past PTO chair and auction chair at Gates School, I always knew that I could turn to Xuan for help and support whenever needed.
Not only is Xuan willing to set up and do the work necessary to help PTO events run successfully, but he also understands the importance of the work that all the PTOs in town are doing. Xuan’s initial involvement at Gates School spurred him on to serve the Acton-Boxborough community at large as a member of the School Committee. During his years on the School Committee he has maintained his participation at Gates in addition to wholeheartedly dedicating himself to improvement throughout the Acton-Boxborough school system.
Xuan has a very good understanding of how hard the teachers, administration, staff, and parents work in this town to bring such a fabulous education to our children. Xuan’s loyalty and dedication to the interests of not just the Acton-Boxborough schools but also to the community at large are the reasons I am voting for Xuan Kong for School Committee on March 30
Lucinda Sears
Acton
Not only is Xuan willing to set up and do the work necessary to help PTO events run successfully, but he also understands the importance of the work that all the PTOs in town are doing. Xuan’s initial involvement at Gates School spurred him on to serve the Acton-Boxborough community at large as a member of the School Committee. During his years on the School Committee he has maintained his participation at Gates in addition to wholeheartedly dedicating himself to improvement throughout the Acton-Boxborough school system.
Xuan has a very good understanding of how hard the teachers, administration, staff, and parents work in this town to bring such a fabulous education to our children. Xuan’s loyalty and dedication to the interests of not just the Acton-Boxborough schools but also to the community at large are the reasons I am voting for Xuan Kong for School Committee on March 30
Lucinda Sears
Acton
Xua is one of the most deeply committed people and actively listens to the problems at hand and musters his quiet intensity to action
I would like to voice my support for Xuan Kong for School Committee.
Xuan is best prepared to find ways to cut costs without diminishing our academic fortitude. With the looming threat of budget deficits in our school system we need Xuan’s ability to not only balance the books, but his ability to balance educational needs with competing municipal needs.
During his three years serving on the Acton School Committee, Xuan has listened to our concerns. He has worked to keep class sizes down, supported special education programs by finding ways to tap state funding, and advocated support for principals, teachers, and administrators.
Xuan is our representative. He knows how passionately we care about our children’s education. He initiated the School Committee liaison relationship with each elementary school PTO, and provided monthly updates to APS school newsletters so that we are informed citizens. He knows how hard we work for our money. He has promoted greater transparency of school financial reporting so that we know where and how our money is spent. He has used his management accounting skills to eliminate wasteful spending and maximize state reimbursements.
Xua is one of the most deeply committed people I have known. As a past PTO Chair, Scout leader and Friend of the West Acton Boardwalk committee member, I am very sensitive to the demands of our volunteer committees. Xuan actively listens to the problems at hand and musters his quiet intensity to action. He researches the issues. He presents the options and listens to feedback. He has our best interests at heart. He loves our town and schools.
Lastly, I would like to thank the Kong family for their generous gift: allowing Acton Schools to benefit from the talents of their husband/father.
Jeri Lee
Acton
Xuan is best prepared to find ways to cut costs without diminishing our academic fortitude. With the looming threat of budget deficits in our school system we need Xuan’s ability to not only balance the books, but his ability to balance educational needs with competing municipal needs.
During his three years serving on the Acton School Committee, Xuan has listened to our concerns. He has worked to keep class sizes down, supported special education programs by finding ways to tap state funding, and advocated support for principals, teachers, and administrators.
Xuan is our representative. He knows how passionately we care about our children’s education. He initiated the School Committee liaison relationship with each elementary school PTO, and provided monthly updates to APS school newsletters so that we are informed citizens. He knows how hard we work for our money. He has promoted greater transparency of school financial reporting so that we know where and how our money is spent. He has used his management accounting skills to eliminate wasteful spending and maximize state reimbursements.
Xua is one of the most deeply committed people I have known. As a past PTO Chair, Scout leader and Friend of the West Acton Boardwalk committee member, I am very sensitive to the demands of our volunteer committees. Xuan actively listens to the problems at hand and musters his quiet intensity to action. He researches the issues. He presents the options and listens to feedback. He has our best interests at heart. He loves our town and schools.
Lastly, I would like to thank the Kong family for their generous gift: allowing Acton Schools to benefit from the talents of their husband/father.
Jeri Lee
Acton
Kong has been a university professor and skilled a corporate executive
I am writing to urge all Acton voters to unite once again in supporting the candidacy of Michael Coppolino and Xuan Kong who are running for re-election to the Acton School Committee.
Together they have served our community and our children passionately, productively and effectively on the School Committee for a total of 15 years (12 for Coppolino and three for Kong), and the level of knowledge, insight and experience they have gained is precisely what we need in the term ahead.
These qualities are particularly crucial in the next three years as they strive to work with a new Superintendent, some new Administrators, and many new Principals to help them maintain the superior level of education which has kept Acton’s schools among the best in the state.
Coppolino has served as Chairperson of the Regional and Acton Public School Committees three times and Kong once as Chairperson of the Acton Public School Committee, so they know how to lead and manage the complexities of an educational system.
Both have experience as educators inside the classroom --- Coppolino has been a public school teacher for 16 years, and Kong has been a university professor.
And both bring business experience from outside the classroom, with Coppolino skilled as a corporate information technology entrepreneur and Kong as a corporate executive.
Both are particularly concerned with, and qualified to meet the challenge of keeping the budget in line with the escalating contractual and insurance costs we face today.
And both have begun to speak out decisively in meetings with thoughtful financial questions designed to provoke meaningful discussion to achieve fiscal examination of the numbers to help reach much needed budget cuts and savings wherever possible.
Both are quiet men in their demeanor, but determined more than ever to make their thoughts and their views clearly heard to achieve greater transparency of school financial reporting and accountability to the public --- absolutely essential in these difficult economic times.
Let them continue to be strong voices on the School Committee, and allow their commitment for superior education to serve us and our children for the next three years.
Please join me in returning Michael Coppolino and Xuan Kong to the School Committee with your vote on March 30th.
Dick Calandrella
Acton
Together they have served our community and our children passionately, productively and effectively on the School Committee for a total of 15 years (12 for Coppolino and three for Kong), and the level of knowledge, insight and experience they have gained is precisely what we need in the term ahead.
These qualities are particularly crucial in the next three years as they strive to work with a new Superintendent, some new Administrators, and many new Principals to help them maintain the superior level of education which has kept Acton’s schools among the best in the state.
Coppolino has served as Chairperson of the Regional and Acton Public School Committees three times and Kong once as Chairperson of the Acton Public School Committee, so they know how to lead and manage the complexities of an educational system.
Both have experience as educators inside the classroom --- Coppolino has been a public school teacher for 16 years, and Kong has been a university professor.
And both bring business experience from outside the classroom, with Coppolino skilled as a corporate information technology entrepreneur and Kong as a corporate executive.
Both are particularly concerned with, and qualified to meet the challenge of keeping the budget in line with the escalating contractual and insurance costs we face today.
And both have begun to speak out decisively in meetings with thoughtful financial questions designed to provoke meaningful discussion to achieve fiscal examination of the numbers to help reach much needed budget cuts and savings wherever possible.
Both are quiet men in their demeanor, but determined more than ever to make their thoughts and their views clearly heard to achieve greater transparency of school financial reporting and accountability to the public --- absolutely essential in these difficult economic times.
Let them continue to be strong voices on the School Committee, and allow their commitment for superior education to serve us and our children for the next three years.
Please join me in returning Michael Coppolino and Xuan Kong to the School Committee with your vote on March 30th.
Dick Calandrella
Acton
Xuan has kept the lines of communication open between the Committee and parents
I urge you to cast one of your two votes in the race for School Committee for Xuan Kong. As a former PTO chair and parent of 3 kids in the Acton-Boxborough Schools, I have witnessed first-hand the dedication and drive of Xuan as well as his passion for the quality education of our students and children.
Xuan is nearing the end of his first-term and there couldn’t be a more suitable time to return him to the Committee. Shrinking local-aid and the need to do more with less requires an intellect and common sense approach to problem solving-two character traits that Xuan possesses, among other unique capabilities.
Xuan has kept the lines of communication open between the Committee and parents - when delivering the bad news about budgets or the good news about fundraising efforts. He is a hands-on type of representative for all of us and I encourage everyone to vote for Xuan Kong on March 30.
Christine Fenniman
Acton
Xuan is nearing the end of his first-term and there couldn’t be a more suitable time to return him to the Committee. Shrinking local-aid and the need to do more with less requires an intellect and common sense approach to problem solving-two character traits that Xuan possesses, among other unique capabilities.
Xuan has kept the lines of communication open between the Committee and parents - when delivering the bad news about budgets or the good news about fundraising efforts. He is a hands-on type of representative for all of us and I encourage everyone to vote for Xuan Kong on March 30.
Christine Fenniman
Acton
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