Lisa Silva Running To Become Danvers Town Meeting Member

The following is a declaration of candidacy from Danvers Town Meeting candidate Lisa Silva to Patch:

DANVERS, MA —Danvers is my hometown.

As a child growing up in Danvers, I have fond memories of the community spirit, giving, support and pride that still exist today.

As Danvers grows, unfortunately, it has not escaped the divisiveness that we see throughout our nation. I am running for town meeting member in Precinct 7 because I feel I have the experience and the passion to be a part of moving Danvers forward in these times, with the goal of maintaining the spirit, giving, support and pride of Danvers that we all know and love.

I feel deeply that Danvers leaders need to work hard to ensure that Danvers is an inclusive accepting community for all its citizens and visitors as this is vital for Danvers' public institutions, small businesses, school department, housing market and businesses to thrive.

I have been an active member of our community for many years. I am a single mother of two sons, one who attends HRMS and one at Great Oak where I volunteer regularly. I am an active participant in and/or leaders of many committees and groups in Danvers which have resulted in my speaking at Select Board meetings including the community discussion in support of marginalized residents.

I have worked with the Human Rights and Inclusion Committee, including collaborating on the "Unity in our Community" lawn sign campaign, which served to reaffirm the town's commitment to inclusivity and equity during a very trying time for marginalized groups.

I am dedicated to ensuring that Danvers does not lose its identity that I so fondly recall from my childhood — dedicated to ensuring Danvers is a community that feels safe for all its citizens and visitors and where all of its citizens are treated with mutual respect and acceptance and where we all care and look out for one another.

I would appreciate your vote and I thank Danvers Patch for this opportunity to introduce myself to the voters of Precinct 7.

(Declarations of candidacy for the annual town election can be sent to Scott Souza at scott.souza@patch.com.)