Neighbor News
Let’s Keep Building on What We Started
Because the heart of public service isn't winning. It's showing up, listening, and getting things done with and for our community.
On behalf of myself and the Orange Democrats, thank you to everyone who supported us this year, from voters who believed in our plan to the poll workers who helped behind the scenes, and from neighbors who volunteered to families who juggled busy campaign schedules.
I also want to thank every candidate from both parties. Running for local office takes courage and commitment, especially when done with honesty and respect.
Leadership, though, is about more than winning elections. It’s about listening to everyone and acting on their concerns and ideas. That’s the foundation of public service, especially in a small town like ours. Winning without meaningfully engaging voters is possible, but it doesn’t necessarily bring us together or deliver results that matter.
Find out what's happening in Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
That’s why our campaign focused on meeting residents face-to-face. Those conversations revealed a shared love for Orange, as well as a desire to make our community even better. I’m more certain than ever that Orange is ready for leaders who address our challenges head-on and make the most of the opportunities right in front of us.
Our campaign also proved that respect, openness, and accountability still matter. We focused on ideas and results, not misinformation or personal attacks. As a result, voter turnout for a local election was the highest since 2011, and support for our candidates grew across the ballot.
Find out what's happening in Orangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
That’s why I’m still committed to the priorities we developed: advancing economic development within Town Hall, creating an online system to quickly report problems and see when they’re resolved, ensuring our schools remain strong and inclusive, and moving forward with long-planned Fred Wolfe Park improvements.
If you’d like to help these or other ideas move forward, now’s the time to speak up because the town is currently drafting next year’s budget. Your input can make a real difference. Send an email or schedule a meeting with town staff or board members soon to share what you’d like to see in the next town budget.
Together, we’ve made real progress, and it’s only the beginning of what we can do to build the future we deserve.
