Letter: Why I Support Shana Dixon for Williamstown Select Board
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To the Editor:
As a former Select Board member (2015–2021), I am excited to see a new candidate, Shana Dixon, running for Select Board. After two terms on the board, I stepped aside to make room for new voices: I recognized the importance of not overstaying my time.
As a board "retiree," you can mentor new Select Board members without the risk of violating open meeting law; you can speak at public meetings, where your perspective is informed by your experience and service to the town; you can volunteer as a community member on committees such as the Affordable Housing Trust, DIRE, and CPC; and, you can continue to advocate at Town Hall for the issues you care about. It was clear to me that prolonged time on the board could begin to distort your perspective, inflate your sense of power, and cause you to lose touch with those outside your own bubble.
I am impressed by Shana Dixon, the current chair of the DIRE committee, who has not hesitated to step up for this community, while also operating her own small business and juggling life as a single mom of two young children. Working in property management (Shana owns and manages several short-term rental properties), Shana has a clear-eyed understanding of the challenges facing our community, especially the shortage of affordable housing, the obstacles to economic development, and the need for increased sustainability and climate action. Shana is down-to-earth, approachable, and funny. She has fresh energy and ideas to offer our town, and a desire to see our local government truly work for all residents. When she speaks of inclusive governance, she has the listening skills and lived experience to make it a reality. Shana is ready to hit the ground running and be a prepared and impactful member of the board this year.
I am excited to see Williamstown open its doors to a new perspective and new expertise on the Select Board. I hope you will join me in supporting Shana Dixon on Tuesday, May 13.
Anne C O'Connor
Williamstown, Mass.
Tags: town elections,
