Letter to the Editor: Vote Fulginiti and Smith on April 30

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Dottie Fulginiti and Dan Smith, candidates for Easton’s Board of Selectmen in the upcoming election on April 30^th. Both Dottie and Dan have made outstanding and consistent contributions to our community.

Dottie was an active participant in the rescue and preservation of the Shovel Shop. Moreover, she created a website, responsiblegrowthforeaston.com, to keep the public informed.  She worked diligently with others to reform the state’s 40B housing law to return planning and zoning control to the towns.  As an active member of the Easton Lions Club and the Easton Grange, Dottie consistently exhibits her passion to help and serve others and to promote historical preservation and conservation of open space.

Dan has been a member of the Easton Planning and Zoning Board for the past 3 years. He believes in balance: planning for growth where it’s zoning-appropriate and environmentally-sensitive. With his professional background in economic development Dan has proposed an Economic Development Council to act as an liaison with the business community and to increase our tax base by attracting businesses to Easton.  

Recently I was appalled and saddened at the response of the other two candidates, Carol Nestler and Michael Maloney, to the question: “If you were a member of the Board of Selectmen when they voted to recommend preservation of the Ames Shovel Shop to Town Meeting, how would you have voted?” Both Nestler and Maloney replied that they would have voted “NO.”  They would not have saved the Shovel Shop, a local, state and national industrial and historical treasure. Can we entrust our beloved town to those who would destroy our history for the short-sighted sake of the almighty dollar?  I think not and neither did Easton voters when saving Shovel Shop was overwhelmingly approved at Town Meeting.                                                                                                                                                                       We need leaders who look at the big picture and can envision and plan for Easton’s future.  The preservation of the Shovel Shop and its benefits to the downtown plus the recent acquisition of the Governor Ames estate by the Trustees of Reservations are sure to bring an influx of tourist dollars to Easton in the future.

Dottie Fulginiti and Dan Smith who answered “YES” to saving Shovel Shop are a great team for Easton.  Their passion to serve, their requirement of citizen input into decision-making, their ethic of hard work and follow-through, and their commitment to a bright future for Easton make Fulginiti and Smith the team of choice on election day, April 30^th.  VOTE FULGINITI  and SMITH!  For more information go to the websites, www.ElectDottieFulginiti.com and www.ElectDanielSmith.com.

Priscilla Almquist-Olsen

59 Seaver Street, North Easton, MA 02356