Letter: 'In Support Of Chris Parkin For Redding Board of Finance'

To The Editor:

On November 2, I will be casting a single vote in the Board of Finance race: a vote for Chris Parkin. I urge you to join me and do the same.

Why is Chris the best for the job? After 4 years transforming the Redding Board of Education and serving as Board Chair during the biggest educational crises of our lifetime, Chris has gained a deep knowledge about evaluating budgets, negotiating contracts and leading long-term planning. But most importantly, Chris has a deep understanding of our biggest annual expense and the jewel of our town: the Redding school system.

Chris knows what it takes to present a smart budget that serves Redding’s citizens and he shares values with all of us who believe in strong schools and a caring community. He’s a creative thinker who has proven himself time and time again in Redding. From leadership in our successful Scouts BSA organization to organizing the Democratic Town Committee’s first Redding/Easton kickball game, Chris jumps in and does the work. As many in town can attest, if you want to know an answer about something in Redding - whether it’s the best road for Trick or Treat or how to register for an absentee ballot, you call Chris.

If you’ve seen him in action, you know that Chris is no rubber stamp for our schools. He is always pursuing better processes and finding efficiencies. His professional experience as an attorney and a small business owner enhances his wealth of experience on Redding budget matters. He’s also the caring dad of three, with a kid in every Redding school - which would make him the sole member of the Board of Finance with school age children.

Due to minority party representation rules, casting one vote for Chris is the only way to ensure that a strong voice with deep knowledge of our schools is represented on this board. While each voter is permitted to cast up to 2 votes in this race, I’ll be casting one and only one for Chris to make sure he can speak for my family.

Redding families are losing a valuable advocate in Democrat Ed Miller, and we have the opportunity to replace him with an equally powerful voice in Chris Parkin.

Sarah O’Dell
Redding