Burlington Election: Letter From Candidate Shari Ellis

BURLINGTON, MA — Shari Ellis is running for one of two seats on the Burlington Board of Selectmen in the April 10 Town Election.

Ellis wrote a letter to the editor to Patch laying out her case for her candidacy.

Previously on Patch: Candidate Profile: Shari Ellis For Burlington Board of Selectmen

Are you running for office in Burlington? Contact Christopher Huffaker at chris.huffaker@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Burlington Patch. To submit a letter to the editor, email chris.huffaker@patch.com.

Why Me, Why Now

It is clear that Burlington is at a critical juncture and needs leadership that understands the complex issues that our community faces as we emerge from COVID, while we also plan responsibly for our future.

Over the past 25 years I’ve immersed myself in town governance in varying capacities. I have been a leader in the areas of planning and responsible development, a champion of fiscal responsibility, and an advocate for housing and resource accessibility. I have worked effectively with numerous town departments to get things done.

Some of my accomplishments include:

• Initiated the 2018 School Department Fiscal Review

• Established the Town’s Zoning Bylaw Review Committee

• Co-sponsored the re-establishment of the Town of Burlington Scholarship Fund

• Championed the development of the Burlington Sidewalk Program

• Landlocked Forest Committee member, preserving the Forest as open space

• Northwest Park Housing Committee member, working to bring a senior affordable housing option to our community

My background in human services has included working at Minuteman Senior Services and the LABBB Collaborative, while also volunteering for Meals-on-Wheels and supporting many of our local community organizations such as Womanade, Helpis, and People Helping People.

These experiences afforded me the opportunity to interact directly with many residents in our town, including seniors, veterans and those living with disabilities. These interactions have given me a first-hand understanding of challenges that many in our town face, such as access to resources, communication, transportation, and housing.

I have spent considerable time listening to community leaders and different constituency groups and learned their perspectives and concerns. Through my active participation in various meetings such as Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Ways and Means, and Capital Budget, I have done my homework and am well prepared to engage in all the Board discussions.

Burlington needs a strong, knowledgeable, open minded, and experienced member who will add a different and important perspective to the existing Board, and represent the town that Burlington is today.

I am more than ready to take on this role and am confident that I will make a significant contribution as a member of the Board of Selectmen and to the Town of Burlington.

Please make sure to vote, your voice matters. And when you do, I respectfully ask that you vote for me, Shari Ellis as your next member of the Board of Selectmen.

Shari Ellis
www.ellisforburlington.com

This letter was produced by Shari Ellis. The views expressed are the author's own.