Gilbert: A Privilege to Serve

To the Editor:

Congratulations to all the candidates who won seats on our town’s boards and commissions on Nov. 8. My best wishes go out to Gayle Weinstein, Dennis Tracey and David Muller who will have the privilege of serving on our Board of Selectmen. I’m sure they’ll work collegially to effectively address the challenges facing our town.

For me, serving on the Board of Selectmen has been about community service. It’s been about always trying to do what’s best for every person living in Weston. If you haven’t thought about serving as a member of town government give it some thought. I don’t have the words to adequately describe the joy you’ll experience if you serve.

You don’t do it alone. You serve with neighbors who are just as serious as you are about assuring Weston has ethical and effective government. But you get to decide how to treat members of the public and the people you serve with. You get to decide whether the positions you take on issues reflect what you believe is best for your town or what you think will help you win the next election. You get to decide what good government is. Whether as a selectman in a packed room discussing a hotly contentious issue or as a member of a commission on a late winter’s night with nary a member of the public in sight, it doesn’t matter. You get to create government. You’ll have a truly special experience. I know I did.

It’s been a privilege to serve.

Dan Gilbert
Former selectman