Letter: In Support Of Mark Dockser For Select Board

READING, MA — The following letter was submitted by Mineral Street resident John Lippitt.

To the editor:

Reading is a wonderful place to live and we need to work to keep it that way. Mark Dockser has provided strong, forward-looking leadership on the Select Board. He has led the way in getting us through the Covid pandemic and in selecting our new Town Manager.

The Select Board, among other things, supervises the Town Manager. With a new Town Manager, it is especially important to have people on the Select Board with the experience, knowledge, and skills to support him as he gets to know Reading and his new job.

We need people on the Select Board who receive, search out, and analyze information in order to make good decisions and who listen to all residents, as well as town staff. Mark’s work on determining the needs of our growing population of seniors is a perfect example. He has been gathering information and talking with a wide range of residents as well as town staff. He is thoughtfully analyzing this input, balancing it with other community needs, and planning for how to best meet our seniors’ needs in the context of the Town’s capacities.

Finally, we need Select Board members who can discuss issues with civility and respect. We need people like Mark who can disagree agreeably.

Mark Dockser has demonstrated these attributes during his first term on the Select Board and in all his service in town government – in Town Meeting and on the Finance Committee. He is a real asset to have on the Board and we to re-elect him so he can continue to provide leadership for our Town.

Please join me in voting to re-elect Mark Dockser to the Select Board on April 5th. Your vote is IMPORTANT! This election will have a significant effect on the expertise and tone of our Select Board.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU VOTE ON APRIL 5. Your participation in Town governance makes a difference.

John Lippitt

Mineral Street