Letter to the Editor: Candidate Thanks Voters

Dear Editor,

Being a candidate for State Senate during these transformative times was an incredible experience. I learned a great deal about Tewksbury, and the truly great people that make up the 2^nd Essex & Middlesex State Senate district. I often said during the campaign that despite socioeconomic diversity, we—Andover, Lawrence, Tewksbury, and Dracut- share more in common than we differ on. We all want safe streets, good schools, and vibrant communities in which to live, work, and raise our families. We all want good government – and we expect a responsive government.

There are so many people I wish to thank for their help during our campaign – people who urged me to run, volunteered for and supported our campaign, welcomed me into their homes, provided advice and encouragement, and those who took the time to vote on September 14^th.

While campaigning, I met some people who are angry with government, and others have given up hope that government will ever change or be more responsive.  Overall though most people, like myself, still believe that government can and should make a positive difference in people's lives.

Though the results were not what I hoped for, the experience of the campaign exceeded my expectations. I knew it before, but I want to say it again: there is a lot that is done well in our cities and towns, most of it because of the strength of active and engaged citizens.  We all need to keep the spirit of civic participation alive, now more than ever.

A sincere and heartfelt thank you to all.

Respectfully,

Debbie Silberstein