Letters In Support Of John Hurd For Select Board

ARLINGTON, MA — The following letters to the editor were submitted in support of John Hurd for Select Board.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to ask for one of your votes for John Hurd for Arlington Select Board on April 10th. I met John about 15 years ago when I was working on one of his Dad’s campaigns. At that time John was at Tufts University, playing hockey, and with three youth hockey players in my own home, we had all been following John’s hockey career at Arlington Catholic and at Tufts. I loved that despite his busy college life John was very willing to come home to help his Dad and his family. That stayed with me. And, it wouldn’t be the first campaign that John and I worked on together.

What I love about John is his deep commitment to Arlington. John is a small business owner in Arlington. He runs a boutique law firm and, this past year, out of his deep desire to see local businesses survive the pandemic, John advocated on behalf of local restaurants. John’s leadership on behalf of these beleaguered restaurants filled a huge need at a critical time.

John is the consummate family man. Aside from being at work or at a Select Board meeting, one always sees John about town with at least one of his sons, Wes or Dylan, in tow. John coaches both of his boys’ Arlington youth hockey teams as well as their baseball teams. From firsthand experience, coaching is an incredible time commitment but also a wonderful way to meet families in town and to really get a pulse on the issues affecting the citizens of Arlington. What’s also important to note is that John is the only candidate for Select Board with children attending Arlington Public Schools. For parents of school aged children, like me, this perspective is particularly important.

John’s support of local charities touches me personally. I work at the Arlington Boys & Girls Club (ABGC). Like John I am also a Member of the Corporation. I had the pleasure of seeing John every morning either dropping off or picking up Dylan at the ABC Preschool. John’s friendship, support and advice as a parent and as a town leader is invaluable to the staff at the ABGC. I am also President of the Catherine J. Malatesta Foundation. When I asked John for support at our annual fundraising concert, John was there, no questions asked, doing whatever I needed. John also serves on the Board of Arlington Eats and has volunteered with the Somerville Homeless Coalition and has helped out at The Children’s Room.

I have two teenage sons, ages 17 and 19. John is the man I hope my boys turn out to be like. He is a wonderful role model and I love every opportunity for my boys to interact with John. For them to see a young guy who is a local business owner, leader and devoted family man is rare. John embodies what my husband and I work hard to instill in them.

Please vote to re-elect my friend John Hurd to the Arlington Select Board on April 10th.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Goodwin

We need to re-elect John Hurd!

I am writing to strongly urge voters in Arlington to re-elect John Hurd to the Select Board on April 10th!

I have known John both in his professional capacity as a real estate lawyer in Arlington and in his personal capacity, as husband, a father, and a friend. Being in the real estate industry myself, I can attest to John’s incredible knowledge and expertise of both real estate and zoning matters, and the local Arlington housing market. He is someone that I, and many other real estate professionals, to turn for advice on all things real estate and housing. And, as a current member of the Select Board, John has a keen understanding of our residents’ vision for housing in town. John has been advocating for increased affordable housing in Arlington long before this became a prevalent issue amongst local discussion groups. He is the only candidate that can bring this critical expertise as Arlington seeks to update zoning Bylaws to increase affordable housing.

Personally, John is a person of high integrity that is well respected by his many friends and colleagues. John was educated in Arlington schools, then went on to Tufts University and Suffolk Law School before hanging his shingle here in Arlington Center. John is a true collaborator. Whether it is at work, at a Select Board Meeting, or in life, John treats anyone he encounters with respect. He listens to colleagues and residents, comprehends the request, and then takes action to solve the issue presented.

In the next term, the Select Board will make many import decisions ranging from racial equity to affordable housing and sustainability, and supporting our residents and businesses as we transition back to our pre-COVID lives. We need a person with John Hurd’s background, experience, and expertise on the Select Board.

Please join me in voting for John Hurd on Saturday, April 10th.

Thank you!

Carrol Curcio

Newport Street, Arlington

Have you Hurd? We need to keep John on the Select Board!

When John first ran for the Select Board I wrote to share my experience with John as a person and a coach to my two sons. I am doing so again, but I also want to share my thoughts based on my more recent connection to John, as a constituent. John has been a respectful, thoughtful member of the Select Board. In the past three years, the Board has faced many challenges, some seemingly insurmountable, but John approached each issue with an open mind and open ears. He is an excellent listener, who absorbs the input he receives, then makes the best decision for the town based on both direction from town residents and his own personal experience and expertise.

But again, I want to share my own personal experience with John as a parent who was fortunate enough to have John coach my two sons in youth hockey. John brought in-depth knowledge and experience to the coaching position as a skilled hockey player. But what I was most impressed with was John’s positive approach to teaching and coaching the game. He stressed the importance of teamwork, good sportsmanship, and being a good person on and off the ice. However, more than anything, he always reminded his players to have fun, because that is why they play the game. John was an incredible role model for my boys and I know he continues to be for many children in Arlington as a hockey and baseball coach. These are the qualities I look for in a local elected official.

Please cast one of your two votes for John Hurd on April 10th.

Cindy Sheridan Curran

Franklin Street