Why I Endorse Sandy Bloom and Susan Hairston for Common Council

Although I moved away from Summit almost two years ago, it is a community that I still love and care about.  I’ve followed the reports in the local media of Common Council meetings with great dismay and concern.  It’s left me wondering whatever happened to treating each other with respect and working together towards what’s best for the community.

Sandy Bloom and Susan Hairston are two proven leaders who can help to restore independence, integrity, thoroughness, transparency, inclusiveness and collegiality to the Common Council.  Although my tenure on the did not overlap with theirs, I was a very fortunate beneficiary of their mentoring and encouragement.  Both were exceedingly generous with their time and knowledge.  They listened carefully, asked pertinent questions and offered thoughtful advice that was grounded in their deep roots in and understanding of the Summit community.  And I saw this approach consistently applied throughout their civic and personal relationships.

Most important, I can speak to the character of these two candidates.  I have always found them to be honest, intelligent, forthright, trustworthy, hardworking and open-minded consensus builders.  Their service has nothing to do with their ego and everything to do with their genuine love and commitment to Summit.  For these reasons, I wholeheartedly believe that, if and when they are elected, and will help to restore civil discourse, invite greater community participation and apply their considerable talents towards the betterment of all of Summit’s citizens.  I only wish that I could be there to share in the positive changes that will surely follow.

Pat Calhoun

Summit Board of Education

Member 2005 – 2009, President ‘08 – ‘09