Letter: Anne Landry Endorses McCarthy, Dockser For Select Board

READING, MA — The following letters were submitted by Reading Select Board member Anne Landry.

Jackie McCarthy: A New Level of Service to the Public

When I ran for the Select Board, I committed to engage in "deep listening"- and I can think of no one better-suited to continue that commitment to listening deeply to the concerns of our community than Jackie McCarthy. I know that Jackie is running because she wants the voices of diverse residents and community stakeholders to be heard in Town Hall and by our elected representatives. I have confidence that she will take the time to listen so that her decisions on the Select Board will be well-informed, thoughtful, and considered.

Jackie and I share a lot in common: we are both government relations lawyers. We are both, in fact, Emory Law alumnae (something of a rarity in Massachusetts and certainly a rarity in Reading). We have both served on Town Meeting and on the Reading Finance Committee. With these commonalities, Jackie would be something of a natural "replacement" for me on the Select Board.

But Jackie brings additional skills to the table that I lack: she is a runner and an athlete in a way I can only aspire and greatly admire. I have witnessed this kind of self-discipline in marathon runners before; they do not leave that kind of dedication, discipline, and commitment on the road. No, they are incredibly motivated in other spheres of their life, as well- and when they are committed to public service, we the public are the direct beneficiaries of their passion, their dedication, and their commitment. Our new Town Manager is one such committed individual. And with Jackie on the Board, I foresee incredible possibilities for excellence and a new level of service to the public wherein Reading residents directly benefit.

Please join me in voting for Jackie McCarthy on April 5th.

Mark Dockser: A True Compass

While the years of the pandemic have been incredibly challenging for us as individuals, as families, and as a community, Mark Dockser has consistently brought a steady hand to turbulent times. During our three years of service on the Select Board and in the previous five during which we served together on the Finance Committee, he has truly been that "compass" that dependably points to true North, guiding his colleagues in terms of his institutional knowledge, his local government and professional experience, his keen mind for financial policy, as well as his fundamental human decency.

The Reading Select Board, while not lacking for passion and a commitment to the community, lacks longevity and experience. Mark and I are currently the longest-serving members of the Board with a tenure of only three years. I am not running for re-election, and it is important that the community re-elect Mark Dockser to retain his significant institutional knowledge, his local government and community know-how, and his even temperament- so needed in challenging times.

As I said when I announced my decision not to run again, I am optimistic about Reading's future. That optimism is predicated in part on the hoped-for re-election of Mark Dockser. With his financial know-how, steady hand, and fundamental goodness, he has earned our vote. Please join me in voting for Mark on April 5th.