Letter: In Support of Cliff for Board of Selectmen

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

To the Editor:

With the lengthening of days and the easing of winter’s grip, we are reminded that Tennyson famously wrote “In the Spring, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” Another herald of the season in Wayland is the upcoming annual elections for Town boards. While certainly less romantic and more prosaic that Tennyson’s poetry, these elections nonetheless deserve our attention and participation.

The election can substantially influence the policies and practices of our schools and other aspects of Town government. We are fortunate to have an exceedingly very well qualified Town resident who has stepped forward, expressing his willingness to devote countless volunteer hours to serve on the Board of Selectmen.

Gordon Cliff would make excellent contributions to our Town government. Gordon is a member of the Town’s Audit Committee, giving him a thorough understanding of the Town’s financial condition. This knowledge, together with his business experience, would enable Gordon to work effectively in the preparation not only of the Town’s annual operating and capital budgets, but to take a longer view in financial planning for the Town going forward. As the parent of two daughters in the Wayland public schools, he appreciates the need to maintain and enhance the excellence of the educational programs and facilities for which Wayland is recognized, and of which we can justifiably be proud.

While we all are busy with the pressing demands of our daily lives, becoming informed voters is important as the Town’s officeholders’ actions directly affect the delivery of essential public safety services, the education of our children, the maintenance of the public infrastructure and the amount of taxes that we pay.  I believe that Gordon Cliff will represent the Town’s interests well on the Board of Selectmen, as did as the outgoing member of the Board of Selectmen, John Bladon.

William D. Whitney