Marlborough's Harmony Larson Seeks Council Seat In 2023: Q&A

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Marlborough's 2023 election is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in years.

For the first time in a decade, there's an open race for mayor with Mayor Arthur Vigeant stepping down at the end of the year. There are also five competitive city council races for At-Large, and the Ward 2, 4, 6 and 7 seats. The Ward 6 race is wide open with incumbent Sean Navin running for an at-large seat in 2023.

To help voters decide who they'll pick ahead of the November election, Patch has asked each candidate — even those running unopposed — to answer candidate questionnaires. Resident Harmony Larson is running in 2023 to challenge eight-term Councilor Donald Landers, here's how she answered:

Name: Harmony Larson

How old will you be as of Election Day? 46

Does your campaign have a website? If so, include the URL here: https://www.harmonylarson.org/

What office are you seeking? City Councilor, Ward 7

Education: I graduated from UMass Boston with a BA in English. Later I earned a certificate in Graphic Design and most recently I've taken a number of graduate courses in Human Resource Management.

What is your occupation? I work as an internal communications advisor at a technology company. This role also spans employee engagement, environmental sustainability and social impact initiatives. Prior to this position, I worked in marketing and communications in the architecture and development industry for about 15 years.

Do you have a family? If so, please tell us about them: Yes I do! My mom, who passed away in 2019, raised me and my four siblings in Quincy. I have been married to my husband, Dan, for 16 years, and we have three boys, Henry who is in 8th grade and twins, Eric and Russell, who are in 5th grade this year. Our kids are involved in youth ice hockey, soccer and dek hockey. We also have a six-year-old yellow Lab named Sadie Lynn.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective? I am currently a member of the Marlborough Cultural Council, appointed by Mayor Vigeant in March 2022.

Now we'd like to ask a few questions about your reasons for running and your general views on politics and government. First, why are you seeking this office?

I chose to run because, like a lot of residents in Ward 7, I wanted a choice on election day. This ward has had only one option for the last five elections. Someone had to run in order to change that, so why not me? I think good communication is an under-rated aspect of governing, and I believe my experience in that area can help make city business more accessible so residents feel more informed and engaged.

I am also running to set an example for my children, to show them how local government works and hopefully inspire them to play a role in shaping the future. I do not plan to do this forever because this is a role that should represent our diverse community and that means we need change now and then. Today's leaders need to mentor and make room for others who wish to serve and have a voice in their local government. Organizations with more diverse leadership tend to be more innovative and the same is true for our government: having different perspectives and life experiences at the table leads to better outcomes. I'm excited to be part of a changing of the guard this election cycle.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ... and this is what I intend to do about it.

The pace of growth in Marlborough. Many residents feel like the construction boom is out of control, that our population is surging with each big project, and we're stuck playing catch-up when it comes to school capacity, city services and infrastructure. Residents are tired of living with constant growing pains. It's worth pausing to ask what size is the right size for Marlborough, rather than just looking at each development proposal in isolation. New development needs to be phased and aligned with projects that remediate traffic, increase capacity in the schools, expand public services, and support public safety. I fully support the idea of hiring a city planner who can work proactively with the city and engage residents to create a long-range vision for Marlborough's growth.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Marlborough city councilors are doing an important public service and receiving a small financial stipend in exchange for many hours of work. I am grateful to my opponent and other elected officials who have stepped up to serve the city for so many years. However, I believe it is in the best interest of a diverse community like Marlborough to make room for new people and new perspectives on the city council. The fact that I am new is a major differentiator: I'm excited to bring some fresh energy, new ideas and an open mind to the Ward 7 seat. I am also a parent of three MPS students, so I have a front row seat to the challenges teachers, parents and children are facing here today, which is vastly different from 20+ years ago when my opponent retired from the school system.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

The fact that there hasn't been a challenger for this seat for the last five elections has allowed the incumbent to become complacent and less responsive to resident concerns. The lack of challengers also leads me to believe that he has not done much to mentor the next generation of leaders. Ward 7 is ready for a change. We deserve open-minded, accessible and future-focused representation.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Some other issues on my mind include: giving residents more convenient ways to get information about what is going on in Marlborough; supporting measures to retain experienced teachers and reduce class sizes; more green spaces and trails connecting neighborhoods; creating an approval process for public art; launching a youth volunteer corps; creating opportunities for residents to learn more about public service.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have a diverse professional background in the architecture and development industry, human resources and communication. I've worked for lots of small businesses, a few larger ones and even for the National Park Service, so I'm comfortable navigating a variety of topics and building relationships with diverse stakeholders. I am a current member of our local cultural council and parent of three MPS students. My day job involves keeping employees informed and engaged, and that should be part of a city councilor's job, too. I have a track record of creative problem-solving, raising my hand for the big challenges and forging strong partnerships to get things done. I've been told that I have a very high Say:Do ratio and I take a lot of pride in that: I keep promises and do what I say I will do.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Give it a try!

Marlborough voters will head to the polls on Nov. 7 to elect city councilors, school committee members and a new mayor. Register to vote here.