LETTER: Kowalski for Selectmen

When I was in CVS last week, someone who recognized me from the newspaper stopped me in the cold remedy isle and asked me a question.  His question was:

How do I differentiate myself from my fellow candidates? 

I stated that there are two main ways I differentiate myself from my fellow candidates.  One, is the diversity of my community involvement and two is my professional experience.

From the moment I moved into town I immediately became involved in the schools.  I was a member of the School Council for 2 years and on the South School PTO Board for 3 years; most recently and currently as co-President.  I am involved in youth activities as an ASA Soccer Coach and a former board member of the Andover Youth Foundation.  I like to think that my presence and contribution at various meetings around town and my community involvement were factors in being appointed to the Andover Finance Committee in 2011.

Professionally, I am proud to say that I have worked for the same company, IBM, for 20 years.  Working at IBM has instilled the global business skills that are critical for a leader.  I hold the professional designation; Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).  On a part-time/as needed basis, I work as a Reserve Police Officer/EMT-B.  This line of work gets me out from behind a computer and provides me with the opportunity to more directly interface with, and help, people.

I live in Andover, the town where my wife (Kristin Monahan) grew up, for many reasons; the quality of Andover’s education, the safety of the town, the quaint downtown, the geographic location, and many more.  We need a Selectman that identifies and respects the priorities of the community, has diverse community involvement, and sound business experience- that is me.  

As Selectman, I will work to ensure that we adequately fund the priorities of the community in a fiscally responsible manner within what we all know are challenging economic times.  We need to maintain the services that our residents expect and ensure that Andover stays an economically diverse community.

I sincerely ask for your support and your vote on Tuesday, March 27.

Dan Kowalski

24 Enfield Drive

Andover