Opinion: Jenn Harris Supports Alix O'Connell For Parks And Rec.

A letter to the editor from Dedham Resident Jenn Harris:

I am a lifelong Dedham resident, both myself and my children have gone to Dedham schools and participated in a variety of recreation programs. I am currently the president of the PTO for Dedham Middle School and previously for Riverdale.

I have known Alix O’Connell for two years and I am so impressed with her determination to make things better for our kids and our town. I have worked with her through Dedham Youth Lacrosse and her energy and great attitude has helped develop our program into a thriving new sport, which my kids and family love being involved with.

Alix has great ideas for how we could manage our fields to accommodate the needs of every group seeking field time and leveraging underused fields and getting creative with time allotments to make it fair and equitable for all groups.

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When we have had challenges in the past, I have been so impressed by Alix’s knowledge and can-do attitude. She uses her experience in law to methodically research things and come up with new solutions and questions – just because its always been done one way doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the only way.

I also appreciate Alix’s “Fix-It” first approach. While new fields and recreation space may be something we need down the road, I am very concerned about the cost to the town and our taxes. I like that Alix wants to first focus on what we already have and make those fields consistently playable and then see what we really need down the road.

Alix O’Connell is a fantastic mother, friend and advocate. Please join me in voting for her for Parks & Recreation Commission on April 13th.