Twelve

This represents the number of candidates for Town Meeting in Precinct 6, my precinct in town. With voters able to vote for eight candidates, this is apparently the most hotly-contested precinct in Amherst this year (ballots for other precincts are also available on-line--check them out so you know what to expect when you hit the polls). At the urging of a number of other Town Meeting members (among them, Amherst blogger Clare Bertrand of Precinct 8), I threw my name into the hat. So if you live in Precinct 6, I would appreciate your vote. I am running on a platform of transparency and long-term strategic planning. Although I have never before served on Town Meeting, my experience on the Facilitation of Community Choices Committee makes me a very well-informed member of our community and my experience with data will be another asset I bring to the table.

Please also remember that we have three candidates for School Committee running for two slots! These are key positions in town--our School Committee is in charge of managing the majority of the budget in town--so please take some time to check out their positions and their web sites:
--Steven Rivkin (whom I know from the Fort River community and for his work with the Amherst Committee for Excellence)
--Irv Rhodes (who served with me on the FCCC)
--Megan Rosa (whom I don't know but whose web site has a lot of information about her)

There is a candidates' forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters next Wednesday night, March 18th at the middle school auditorium. Come meet the candidates or watch on ACTV. And most importantly, don't forget to vote on Tuesday, March 31st!