Chelmsford Select Board Candidate Profile: April Danielson

This is one in an occasional series looking at local candidates running in the Chelmsford town election on April 6. Today we profile April Danielson who is running for one of two seats open on the Planning Board, which is a three-year position. She will face off against incumbent George Dixon and challengers Mark Carota and Latosha Denise Dixon for one of two seats.

CHELMSFORD, MA —April Danielson,39, mother of three children, is making a run for a seat on the Chelmsford Select Board in the upcoming elections April 6.

Danielson graduated from high school in 1999, has some college, and is enrolled in AHIT right now, while she also works as a front desk concierge at Lowell General Hospital and cares for her three children, Kaya, 7, Kaleb, 6, and Korbin, 4.

For the past 18 years she's worked in various roles in the human service field. She's been a servie coordinator and for the past five years she's worked at Lowell General as a service coordinator, as an ICU Unit Coordinator before working as the front desk concierge.

The following are responses Danielson gave to questions Patch posed to all candidates running in the race:

Why are you seeking elective office?

As a community member I saw that there was a call to action for resident to serve on the town board. Due to the pandemic, the last several months I had been afforded the time, and opportunity to really pay attention to the going on around me, that has truly inspired me to know more about my local community and get involved. Being a responsive community member, I began to research for myself, what it would take for me to run. I took on the challenge and decided to put my name in for the running.

I love the great qualities of the Chelmsford community and wanted to continue to add to those qualities. I believe in the future of Chelmsford, with due diligence, accountability, hard-work being put in today. I offer my willingness to step up and utilize my effective communication & advocacy skills, along with my can-do attitude to the Select Board. I believe that the Select Board should be a direct reflection of its constituents, I feel that I encompass just that. Therefore, I am seeking elective office.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

There are a few pressing issues facing our board. The one I have heard most often is that of the split tax rate within town. In all transparency, I'm not quite sure where I stand on the issues. What I do know is I feel that it should not be a main pressing issues for the time being. I feel that there needs to be adequate amount of time and data, to see progress whether the split tax rate has in one way been effective or not effective.

All parties whether commercial/business or residential are currently all trying to regain footing after the hardship we have faced due to the pandemic. I know people have fought and thought long about this outcome. What I would intend to do about it is give it some time, then revisit and look at the bigger picture, once there has been somewhat of a recovery from the pandemic. Then make decision regarding is the split tax rate the best way to go about this for our community? Should we focus on being more small business friendly or solely be focus on Big chains and corporations? This is how I would approach the situation.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

In full disclosure, I am not aware of the critical difference of the other candidates.

However, what I do know is that they are stepping up to serve their community, just as I am. As a team player, I believe there is great strength in collaborating with others, understanding others' viewpoints and making effective holistic informed decisions. I am confident in my skillset and abilities to be of assistance when it comes to working with others. I consider myself to be outside the box thinker while utilizing the tools I have to accomplish what needs to be accomplished, and I look forward to do so if given the opportunity.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

"One who fears failure, limits his activities" Henry Ford.

I do not feel the Board has failed their community. I cannot personally say I agree with every decision the Select Board has made, but I would not consider the word failure when it comes to our Select Board community of Chelmsford is not immune to time or outside influences. However, I believe each member of the board bring integrity and empathy to their roles as select board.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

To fault local officials I think would be unfair. I feel that the proper measures were taken within the local governments control. I feel protocols were put in place and adequate decisions were made. Proper measure were taken as far as the delayed of town meeting was held in the safest manner as possible at the time. As well as the Elections were held with the appropriate precautions in place.

One of the towns greatest resources, the Chelmsford Public Library conducted themselves in an exemplary way within a crisis. I think things were handled within their means.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Other issues that define my campaign platform are food insecurity initiatives, mental health assistance/awareness, and diverse economic/community development initiatives

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Being a liaison and advocate for people throughout my career in Human Services has been one of my greatest accomplishments. Being heard, seen and listened to is what people want in general, and to take it a step further and being the person to take action step to assisting others on their journey or path is a great humbling experience.

I have served on many boards and committees within my career. I've had to work with many different personalities, work styles, and diverse backgrounds. I feel that having these various opportunities throughout my career has adequately prepared me for handling this job of an elected official.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice I ever received was a poem in an affirmation format:

"I am a great somebody" by Adrienne Sealy Hardesty.

From the age of 10, I have recited various lines from this poem, and it has resonated with me throughout my life.

A couple lines in particular: "I am a great somebody... if it takes hard work to reach my goals I will do it. I am a serious child with serious goals... start praising me now... and you will see me rise to the highest heights!"

This has been my mantra in life to always pursue whatever it is I want out of life. I hope to instill this same mantra with future generations!

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Vote April in April because local elections matter. It is my hope that my passion can be clearly seen and used in our community for our community. My position is I would like to continue to see Chelmsford continue to progress and blossom in an innovated, positive way.

Campaign website
www.vote-april-in-april.com

See more:

Check out Daneilson interviewing Town of Chelmsford Service Coordinator Jen Melanson.

Other coverage:

Latosha Dixon:Candidate For Select Board