Letter: Stephanie Bosley Has Best Attributes in a Candidate
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To the editor:
This month, I will vote for the first time in the United States. After living in the Williamstown area for over 16 years, I finally became a U.S. citizen in January 2017. I am so pleased that my first vote will go to a candidate that I can wholeheartedly support. Stephanie Bosley exhibits all the attribute I want in a candidate. She is intelligent, thoughtful, creative, energetic, a good listener.
Since I wanted to participate as fully as possible in my first election, I attended a "meet the candidates" session at the Williamstown Youth Center. I went with an open mind, eager to hear and see how our potential candidates represent themselves. I wanted to get a sense who had the intellect, creativity and greatest likelihood of making strong connections in the State House that would enable her to have the needs of 1st Berkshires heard and met. Stephanie rose above the crowd.
While all the candidates bring good qualities to the table, Stephanie demonstrated that not only does she have a wide-ranging background in public service, but she is patient, articulate, and brimming with ideas. She brought new ways of thinking to the table without being over critical of past attempts and current policy. I particularly like how she is developing innovative approaches to we can use technology to alleviate some transportation issues.
She has the educational background, including a masters in public affairs. From her college years to today, you can see that her career progression is leading directly to a life in public policy and in government. Just consider the organizations and issues she has been engaged with – Black Women United for Action, a semesterlong coursein social justice; Soldier On; AmeriCorps, Northern Berkshire Community Coalition; Housing Rehabilitation in Adams; American Cancer Society; 1Berkshire chamber of commerce, and the regional tourism council. She has been dedicated to serving the underserved. She has worked on the ground floor dealing with race, youth, health, veterans, housing, and commerce.
I've met with Stephanie a few times since that first candidate introductory session. I watched her navigate a room of people anxious to hear her thoughts on environment, on transportation, on jobs. She answers directly and with sincerity and energy. She builds bridges of understanding and incorporates new ideas.
Gail Cariddi didn't have the chance to groom her successor but if she were still with us, I think she'd be impressed by what Stephanie has to offer. Join me, in voting for Stephanie Bosley, as state representative on Oct. 10.
Stephanie Boyd
Williamstown, Mass.
Tags: election 2017, primary, state representative,
