Letter: Downs Has Her 'Finger on the Pulse' of Wayland

Editor's Note: For a full collection of support letters for this candidate, click on her hyperlinked name at the bottom of this letter under "Related Topics."

I am so happy to have the opportunity to write in support of Jeanne Downs’ candidacy for School Committee. In my mind, there is no better example of a more civic-minded individual who, for the past 15 years, has been uniquely immersed in duties and activities in service of the people in our town.  

Through years in all three levels of the school system, Jeanne has supported our children, their parents, and our teachers and administrators by managing programs, stretching dollars, organizing events, and serving as a community liaison wherever there has been work to be done. At the same time, Jeanne has run the town’s competitive swim program: Administering the team, managing a frugal budget and both volunteer and paid coaching personnel, and serving as Head Coach to 160 kids age 5-14. This effort has enabled Wayland earning the top spot in the Metro League championships for the past 13 years running.

While I’ve known Jeanne for years in her extensive involvement working behind the scenes in our community, I got to really see her in action through my own involvement with the Junior Warriors swim team this year.

What has been so amazing to watch is the calm, measured and always good-natured way Jeanne handles everything and everyone. More impressive than the 160 hours of non-stop coaching over 14 weeks, is her deep knowledge of every one of those children’s strengths, challenges, particular issues and opportunities. And even more mind-boggling is watching how, in encouraging everyone to be their best, Jeanne helps build self-esteem by actively teaching each child to face and overcome their own difficulties, and then publicly recognizing each one of their successes. 

It was so typical that Jeanne would be modest in her self-description at last week’s candidate’s night. Beyond not detailing her stellar education, her impressive accounting and business experience, and her depth of experience in financial management, she did not elaborate on how in the breadth of her involvement across the town over the years, she is uniquely positioned to have her finger on the pulse of our town.

Jeanne’s experience enables her ability to easily relate to the varying needs of the many factions in our town. With the ideal personality and well-honed skill set to most effectively collaborate with the different constituents that depend on and interact with the School Committee, Jeanne is the ideal candidate.

Kate Moore

Check out coverage of Wayland's 2013 Town Election, including all the Letters to the Editor, on our topic page, Wayland Town Election 2013.