It is curious to learn from letter-writer Douglas Sherwood (TAB, April 14) both that the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus was founded in 1971 and that he has known board of selectman candidate Jesse Mermell, "a dedicated activist" and the current head of that organization, for 15 years. Sherwood leaves the unmistakable impression that Ms. Mermell has had a long career in local and state politics. She may well have such a career some day - but, as a 2002 graduate of Boston College - she has not, at age 26, had one yet. Perhaps Mr. Sherwood and Ms. Mermell were friends in elementary school - but that would seem to be an unlikely reason to urge Brookline voters to support her candidacy.
One cannot help but contrast this juxtaposition of facts meant to imply accomplishment with the true accomplishments of Betsy Dewitt over the past 25 years: as the chair of the town Advisory Committee, as the executive director of the Brookline Community Fund and as a leader of the campaign to build the new Lincoln School. There is, without doubt, a woman in the race with a long record of accomplishment in Brookline public life - but her name is Betsy Dewitt.
Howard Husock
Former Town Meeting member, Precinct 6
Thayer Street
Betsy DeWitt will be a great selectman.
She is ready to go to work. Having been involved in many capacities in town affairs for 22 years, she knows how to get things done and how to make difficult choices. Having served on the Advisory Committee as chairwoman and before that as chairwoman of the Schools Subcommittee she will add budget experience to the board. She will be a productive selectman from her first meeting.
And Betsy knows how to work. On the Advisory Committee she was always well prepared. As chair she managed meetings both fairly and efficiently. Working cooperatively is the consistent thread through all Betsy's jobs, both paid and volunteer. She works well with others, doesn't get mad and never stops thinking. Betsy leads by example.
Brookline needs working selectmen. Pressures are building. State money gets tighter and is unpredictable. The structural deficit of Proposition 2 1/2 continues. There are pressures for more intense development and population growth. Our buildings and services need maintenance and funding. Of all the non-incumbent candidates, Betsy has by far the most to offer. She has what Brookline needs.
I am not interested in a candidate who simply wants the title "selectman." I'm interested in a candidate who knows what the work is and who actually enjoys doing the work. It was fun supporting Betsy when she ran eight years ago. She's a worker, and I'm so glad Betsy DeWitt is running again.
John Bassett
Co-chairman, Betsy DeWitt for Selectman
Board member, Brookline PAX
TMM Precinct 6
Betsy DeWitt has been active in Brookline for many years. She has proven leadership experience. As a former PTO president, she understands the needs of our schools. During her 10 years as a member, and then as chair, of the Advisory Committee, Betsy gained a detailed knowledge of the town's organization and finances. She understands that maintaining the quality of our police and firefighters, of our public services, and of our parks and open spaces is both the highest priority and a constant challenge.
Betsy is knowledgeable and competent. She combines fiscal responsibility with a sense of fairness and creative problem solving. She helped to develop the disciplined fiscal policies and practices adopted by the selectmen in 1994 that have maintained financial stability for a decade. She knows how to "follow the money" when necessary and the importance of maintaining the town's Aaa credit rating.
Betsy is compassionate. As executive director of the Brookline Community Foundation, she worked with town departments and many nonprofit organizations to provide programs and services for disadvantaged youth and their families. She supported our Senior Center and programs for our older citizens.
Betsy listens to all sides of an issue and develops informed positions. She speaks frankly and passionately for the causes she supports. She will be an energetic and productive member of the board of selectmen.
Please join us in voting for Betsy DeWitt for selectman on May 2.
Michael Merrill, selectman
Chou Chou Merrill, TMM Precinct 14
Eliot Street
Brookline needs Selectman Betsy DeWitt. Her contributions to the positive growth and development of our community are well known. Betsy has indeed "been around for awhile," but no one would describe her as a "politics-as-usual" public servant. During her 10 years as a member and then chair of the town's Advisory (finance) Committee, Betsy has been recognized for her consensus-building and problem-resolution abilities.
Finding opportunities to bring organizations together to implement positive change has been an important part of Betsy's public service in Brookline. As executive director of the Brookline Community Foundation, for example, she worked with others to establish the Brookline Youth Fund, which has resulted in a lasting partnership between the Country Club and the town for the benefit of disadvantaged youth and their families. Betsy's success in facilitating member consensus as chairman of the Advisory Committee speaks directly to her attention to individual opinions and her ability to bring people with differing opinions together.
Betsy believes in and practices transparency in decision-making. She listens to all sides of an issue, and develops and holds strong, informed positions. Most important, Betsy speaks directly and honestly on the issues even when her position may not be popular.
If you believe that Brookline needs energetic innovation grown from experience and knowledge of our community and its citizens, if you believe in the importance of open government, if you want a leader who understands and has had experience with our town budget and municipal finance, if you want a leader who will weigh your concerns carefully and, when necessary, is willing to tell you what you may not want to hear, if you want a leader who has over time demonstrated her commitment to Brookline ... please join us and vote for Betsy DeWitt for Selectman on May 2.
Donna Kalikow
Former Selectman
TMM Precinct 13
Circuit Road
Marcia Heist
Former chairman, Brookline School Committee
TMM Precinct 9
Advisory Committee Member
Centre Street
The voters in this town of Brookline are fortunate that in the May election there is one candidate for selectman who actually understands and participates effectively in meaningful service to strengthen Brookline’s diversity in schools, housing and nonprofit organizations. This candidate’s name is Betsy DeWitt.
Voters don’t have to be in town very long before they hear words like diversity, affordable housing and excellent schools as the qualities which encouraged people to make Brookline their home. For years Betsy DeWitt has been working in Brookline’s nonprofit organizations to make sure that diversity, affordable housing and excellent educational opportunities are a reality and not just empty rhetoric.
As president of the Brookline Improvement Coalition, a nonprofit affordable housing corporation, she led a coalition of nonprofits to develop 50 affordable dwelling units. As executive director of the Brookline Community Fund/Foundation she established the Brookline Safety Net, an emergency assistance program for people in financial crisis, working closely with Brookline Community Mental Health Center, Housing Authority and others to prevent homelessness. As a member of the Steps-to-Success advisory board she continues to help level the education playing field for low-income families.
The list of DeWitt’s service for Brookline fills pages and pages of accomplishments. Because Brookline’s traditional qualities are at risk as the town becomes less affordable to many town employees and their families as well as young professionals and senior citizens, I plan to vote for someone who has proven her commitment and capabilities. I plan to vote for Betsy DeWitt for selectman.
Rita McNally
St.Paul Street
I am writing in support of Betsy DeWitt in the selectman’s race.
I first worked with Betsy when I was the town’s planning director and she chaired the Advisory Committee, one of the most difficult and demanding jobs in town government, and one which demonstrated her ability to mediate among people with conflicting points of view, particularly on budget issues.
And as executive director of the Brookline Community Foundation, she was able to stretch a limited budget to help many Brookline citizens in times of personal and family crisis, both financially and through a network of social services.
After retiring, I joined the board of the Brookline Improvement Coalition, the town’s affordable housing nonprofit. As its president, Betsy has again shown her ability by leading BIC through several successful affordable housing projects.
Because of her abilities, her leadership qualities, and her concern for all of the citizens of Brookline, I am proud to endorse Betsy DeWitt for selectman.
Jay Woodward
Brookline planning director, retired
One of the reasons I support Betsy DeWitt for Selectman is my firsthand knowledge of her many accomplishments and her dedicated concern for our community. Having served as chairwoman of the Advisory Committee, she has been personally involved with decisions regarding the competing needs presented in the annual budget. Betsy also understands the importance of a healthy business sector to support the services we all value.
In addition, as a member of the Committee on Town Organization and Structure, she has the insight to help town government function effectively.
The next 10 years will be crucial for Brookline. We want a Selectman who knows what makes Brookline tick and has the experience to hit the ground running. That person is Betsy DeWitt.
Ponnie Katz
St. Paul Street
Town Meeting Member, Precinct 7
Living in Brookline since 1953, and at our present address since 1956, we have been abutting neighbors of the Brookline Friendly Society since before the Society - now the Brookline Community Foundation - had settled into its present, long-time home.
During our 53-year residency, one of the standout heroes of Brookline's administrative leadership was Selectman Louise Castle. Ms. Castle epitomized what one hopes is the meaning of "public servant." If Selectman Castle was called to a problem, she might make a house call directly - as if the situation was of a medical nature requiring serious attention. We, too, received such a house call during a debate with a town department.
I recalled Louise Castle's excellent tenure upon learning of Betsy DeWitt's run for the selectman's office.
Having observed Betsy DeWitt as a community leader and neighbor over the past 20 years, it is plain that Ms. DeWitt will bring considerable, open-minded, discriminating and wise intelligence - along with her perceptive, moral decision-making abilities - to bear on problems reaching the selectmen for deliberation. Not to mention her energy level, whose end point I have yet to see [Organic energy recycling must be rooted in her genes.]
Our family has yet to hear a harsh word, an angry client [or staff person] issue from our next-door Community Foundation, which Betsy DeWitt has so successfully administered for at least the past 20 years.
Betsy DeWitt's long proven, wide-ranging - and humanistic - capabilities will add considerable dimension to questions presented to the office of Selectmen. Here is an admirable person, a genuine "breath of fresh air."
Harris Barron, emeritus professor
Webster Place
I'm writing to express my admiration and support for Betsy DeWitt in her quest to become our next Selectman. Betsy is definitely the ideal choice! I first met her in 1989, during my first term in Town Meeting and newly appointed member of the Advisory Committee, our town's financial body. I was in awe then and continue to be impressed by her broad-based knowledge of Brookline's finances as well as her clear-headed understanding of fiscal realities.
Betsy's commitment to Brookline is long-standing. For the last 25 years she has invested her time and energy in making Brookline the best it can be. Affordable housing? She has developed affordable units as President of the Brookline Improvement Coalition. Better schools? She's been a PTO president as well as chaired or served on town-wide committees that have made a remarkable difference. Providing assistance to people in need? [Yes, they exist in Brookline.] As executive director of the Brookline Community Fund/Foundation, she established the Brookline Safety Net to provide emergency help to people in financial crisis. Programs for youngsters? The foundation she headed was a partner in establishing the Brookline Youth Fund. In short, almost anywhere I look that I value in Brookline, I see Betsy's fingerprints.
Betsy DeWitt is rooted in Brookline. For her, serving our community is not just a brief stop on a route to someplace else. Betsy loves Brookline. Let's love her back by voting for her for Selectman on May 2!
Myra Trachtenberg
Longwood Avenue
TMM, Precinct 3
