Letter To The Editor Roundup: Residents Support Janice Phillips

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The following letters were submitted to North Andover Patch by residents.

To submit a letter to the editor email chris.huffaker@patch.com.

Letter to the editor from North Andover resident Christine Allen:

I serve with Janice Phillips on the Farmers Market executive team, where she has served as Volunteer Coordinator since 2018, and as volunteer since its founding. Year round we gather to plan the upcoming season, and each summer Sunday we work to ensure the market is a success, tackling everything from tent setup and assisting customers to adapting to sudden changes like those brought about by the COVID-19 crisis.

Together we have built a thriving downtown market with opportunities for our schools to raise funds, and where our neighbors can access fresh local food and artisan creations while supporting our local farmers and small businesses. Janice has worked especially hard to get our Veterans Food Security Program off the ground, an initiative she will now oversee as our Coordinator of External Programs.

Whenever she sees a need or an opportunity to improve, Janice Phillips rolls up her sleeves and gets to work. I am thrilled to support her effort to bring her hard work, talent, and love of community to the North Andover Select Board.

Christine Allen, Treasurer, North Andover Farmers Market

The above letter was produced by resident Christine Allen. The views expressed are the author's own.

Letter to the editor from North Andover resident Meg O'Neill:

To the Editor,

When I met Janice Phillips we were both working as birth professionals, helping pregnant people navigate the process of childbirth and welcoming a newborn. The role of a birth professional revolves around being attuned with your clients, listening carefully, respecting their knowledge, and moving forward from there. Developing meaningful relationships with the entire care team and finding consensus is critical. These are skills I know Janice will bring with her to her role on the Select Board, helping to build trust and strengthen relationships across our great community.

As a friend, Janice was there to support me as I navigated the school IEP process, sharing her personal knowledge and experiences. We have worked together on many volunteer efforts within and beyond North Andover since then, and she always goes out of her way to create a warm and welcoming experience for anyone who wants to join her. Janice is committed, thoughtful, and compassionate. When I think of a true advocate for our community I think of Janice.

I look forward to voting for her on March 30!

Meg O’Neill

The above letter was produced by resident Meg O'Neill. The views expressed are the author's own.

Letter to the editor from North Andover resident Kim Hearst:

Dear Editor,

Janice Phillips is one of those people you see “everywhere.” She’s always working for the community and inviting others to join her in the service of others.

Last spring when the COVID crisis hit and local non-profits were overwhelmed by increased need, Janice stepped up to make sure those needs were met. For nearly a year she has managed the Neighbors in Need diaper and formula program out of her own living room, deploying a fleet of local friends, including me, as delivery drivers. Janice makes it easy to say yes to volunteering. She is accommodating, appreciative, and gives her team everything they need to get the job done well. I am always happy for the opportunity to work with her.

When Janice called a few weeks ago to ask for my support in her run for Select Board, it was an easy yes. Her ability to make connections between people to tackle big challenges is a gift. North Andover is a community that serves, and we deserve a leader who is called to do the same. For that reason, I will be casting my vote for Janice this March 30. Please join me in supporting her, and Let’s Get to Work!

Kim Hearst

North Andover

The above letter was produced by resident Kim Hearst. The views expressed are the author's own.

Letter to the editor from North Andover resident Mary Schwalm:

I met Janice, only virtually for months, but I feel like I’ve known her years. I was one of the photographers for the Front Steps Project in town. We bonded immediately because of her commitment to the project. Her organizational skills are top notch making the forward facing project an effortless and rousing success. We raised $20,000 to support the YMCA, Neighbors in Need, and meals for frontline workers from local establishments. We couldn’t have done it without Janice.

Her enviable multi-tasking skills for problem solving, responding to requests, scheduling photographers, and mapping routes, with efficiency, joy, and humor should single-handedly garner your support for her candidacy. I was inspired by Janice, I was motivated by Janice, I wanted to to do the project because of Janice.

I never would’ve known she was also balancing a full-time job, remote-schooling, and a diaper and formula delivery program. She always made my feel like her number one priority. I was inspired to repay the thanks for her unrecognized commitment to the Front Steps Project by volunteering to deliver diapers and formula to our neighbors in need.

Janice has the knack to inspire, and I can’t wait for her to “get to work for all of us.” We will be a better community for the inspiration, dedication, and positivity she will bring to the Select Board.

Please join me in voting for Janice Phillips for Select Board on March 30th.

Mary Schwalm

The above letter was produced by resident Mary Schwalm. The views expressed are the author's own.