Letter from Kathryn Price: Gallagher will help make a great town even better

Dear neighbors,

I'm writing to share my support for Joe Gallagher's candidacy for Select Board and to encourage you to support him when you head to the polls on April 14.

I've known Joe for many years in a number of ways, from volunteering alongside him at town and school initiatives to working with him on municipal campaigns.

Joe has been a dedicated community volunteer. He has served on the SSS PTO (and supported our schools in many was, as well as on both the Finance Committee and as a Library Trustee. Through these roles, he's developed a strong understanding of our town: its history, what it values, what it does well, and where there is room to grow.

In these roles, I've seen Joe's best qualities come through:

• Joe takes the time to be well-informed.

• He understands how people get information today and has a demonstrated history of comfortably using a range of communication tools to keep stakeholders informed.

• He thinks about the long term and approaches issues in a reflective way.

• His professional experience as a Project Manager has honed his skills in strategic planning, scheduling, and financial forecasting.

• He is a strong consensus-builder and communicator with substantial experience managing multiple budgets and making complex financial information easier to understand I'm not ashamed to admit that I've personally benefited from this particular skill of his many times!

These are the same qualities that will benefit Joe (and all of us) when he serves on the Select Board.

While budget challenges are not unique to Lynnfield, the town recently passed an override and is currently working to close a budget gap for this year as well. This is a moment when we need leadership with the particular strengths I noted above: forecasting, proactive and candid communication, and consensus-building. Joe brings the kind of planning experience that will help Lynnfield stay ahead of what's coming and learn from past challenges. He leads with candor and respect, values collaboration, and is committed to clear, transparent communication across the community. These are essential when managing a complex municipal budget. His background (and his self-stated priorities from his March 3 Letter to the Editor, entitled "Three Ideas for Town Planning, Collaboration, and Communication") will help ensure we identify risks earlier, forecast more effectively, and make more informed decisions over time.

Electing Joe means bringing those strengths, along with a fresh perspective, to Lynnfield's Select Board. He represents a way of moving the town forward that broadens representation and encourages others in the community to step up and share their skills. Simply put, Joe's goal is to make a great town even better, with a fresh set of eyes, a thoughtful plan for the future, and the demonstrated ability to help get us there. He has absolutely earned my vote, and I encourage you to vote for him as well.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Price