Letter: VanScoyoc Seeks Re-Election to Select Board

The following letter was submitted by John VanScoyoc.

John VanScoyoc, vice chair of the Select Board, has made it official that he will seek election to a second term in the Town election in May of 2023.

VanScoyoc's election to the board in 2020 coincided with the pandemic lockdown as well as a postponed (June) election, optional universal voting by mail, sanitized polling procedures, and remote government via Zoom.

"It wasn't the election or the first term I imagined when I announced in 2020, but I've done my best to serve Brookline during a time of historic challenge," VanScoyoc said.

VanScoyoc brings to the Select Board prior experience as an Advisory Committee chair, Town Meeting Member (Precinct 13), and volunteer for the Brookline Center for Community Mental Health, Brookline Adult and Community Education, and Brookline Historical Society.

A graduate of Yale, he is married to Barbara (Toaz) and father to Ellen and Robert, who attended Brookline public schools (Heath and BHS).

VanScoyoc's career in journalism included time as editor of a local Brookline newspaper, as well as managing editor at WGBH's Ten O'Clock News, and senior producer at NECN/NBC10 Boston.

While serving as Select Board vice chair, VanScoyoc has chaired the Boylston Street Corridor Study Committee, and was co-chair of the screening committee that recommended $21 Million in first-round grants under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) program.

Looking to the future, VanScoyoc says, "I am passionate about addressing climate change, and I look forward to working with our Zero Emissions Advisory Board, Town staff, Town Meeting and the State Legislature on initiatives to dial back burning of fossil fuels."

VanScoyoc, who created the "All Politics is Local" newsletter to keep readers informed of issues facing the Town, added, "I deeply care about local government. The Select Board and other ballot contests are how we exercise our Constitutional right to self-rule. The 2023 ballot will also feature complex initiatives to fund services through tax increases. I'm looking forward to this campaign, so I can engage neighbors in the issues and inspire them to vote."