Letters from Arlington Advocate, 3/24/16
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VOTE FOR KIRSI
For the last four years, I have served with Kirsi Allison-Ampe on the Arlington Tourism and Economic Development Committee and for the last six years, I’ve had the pleasure of observing her activities with the Arlington School Committee.
Simply stated, Kirsi has an extraordinary commitment to this Town and its residents. Add to that her intelligence, patience, energy, analytical skills and willingness to undertake projects for Arlington and its citizens, and you have an exceptional individual. I’ve also observed her interactions with youngsters and her exceptional caring attitude toward children and teenagers, who represent the future of our society, which makes her a great choice for the School Committee.
Better yet, these attributes have been displayed and proven by her last two terms on the School Committee.
My wife and I will be enthusiastically voting for Kirsi on Town Election Day and recommend that readers do likewise. One terrific benefit to us growing older is we’ve learned to recognize and appreciate exceptional individuals and Kirsi is just that.
Ted Peluso
VOTE FOR KIRSI
For the last four years, I have served with Kirsi Allison-Ampe on the Arlington Tourism and Economic Development Committee and for the last six years, I’ve had the pleasure of observing her activities with the Arlington School Committee.
Simply stated, Kirsi has an extraordinary commitment to this Town and its residents. Add to that her intelligence, patience, energy, analytical skills and willingness to undertake projects for Arlington and its citizens, and you have an exceptional individual. I’ve also observed her interactions with youngsters and her exceptional caring attitude toward children and teenagers, who represent the future of our society, which makes her a great choice for the School Committee.
Better yet, these attributes have been displayed and proven by her last two terms on the School Committee.
My wife and I will be enthusiastically voting for Kirsi on Town Election Day and recommend that readers do likewise. One terrific benefit to us growing older is we’ve learned to recognize and appreciate exceptional individuals and Kirsi is just that.
Ted Peluso
Vote Allison-Ampe, Kardon for Schools
We are fortunate to have two proven leaders running for School Committee this year. Kirsi Allison-Ampe is running for her third term, and Len Kardon is running for a seat on the committee.
From her six years on the School Committee, Kirsi has shown herself to be a dedicated and knowledgeable advocate for our schools. Kirsi does not jump to conclusions. She is a thoughtful leader who talks to all sides involved, researches potential solutions and fully understands the issues before offering creative solutions.
Kirsi was one of the first public advocates for a renovated High School, taking action and showing her leadership. She pushed hard for specific details and facts on the facility and educational needs of the High School. She then created a pamphlet that helped build consensus among elected officials, finance committee and capital planning members. Finally, she contributed to the MSBA application, which led to Arlington’s acceptance into the program.
Len Kardon is not a new face in the community. For the past 5 years, Len has been an active participant in school and town discussions. During the 2010-2011 budget crisis, Len was a vocal advocate for school and town services. In response to the crisis, Len, myself and a few others founded FYArlington, whose goal was to educate the community on the financial pressures the town was facing. FYArlington successfully laid the groundwork for the 2011 override, where Len and I served together on the campaign steering committee. Since then, Len has been an active Town Meeting member and now also serves on the Finance Committee. Len understands the minute details, asks tough questions and recommends creative solutions. Through his active involvement, Len has earned the reputation as a trusted and respected community member.
Our schools will face difficult fiscal and enrollment challenges in the coming years. We need experienced and trusted team players on the School Committee. I hope you will join me in voting for Kirsi Allison-Ampe and Len Kardon for School Committee on April 2.
Amy Speare
We are fortunate to have two proven leaders running for School Committee this year. Kirsi Allison-Ampe is running for her third term, and Len Kardon is running for a seat on the committee.
From her six years on the School Committee, Kirsi has shown herself to be a dedicated and knowledgeable advocate for our schools. Kirsi does not jump to conclusions. She is a thoughtful leader who talks to all sides involved, researches potential solutions and fully understands the issues before offering creative solutions.
Kirsi was one of the first public advocates for a renovated High School, taking action and showing her leadership. She pushed hard for specific details and facts on the facility and educational needs of the High School. She then created a pamphlet that helped build consensus among elected officials, finance committee and capital planning members. Finally, she contributed to the MSBA application, which led to Arlington’s acceptance into the program.
Len Kardon is not a new face in the community. For the past 5 years, Len has been an active participant in school and town discussions. During the 2010-2011 budget crisis, Len was a vocal advocate for school and town services. In response to the crisis, Len, myself and a few others founded FYArlington, whose goal was to educate the community on the financial pressures the town was facing. FYArlington successfully laid the groundwork for the 2011 override, where Len and I served together on the campaign steering committee. Since then, Len has been an active Town Meeting member and now also serves on the Finance Committee. Len understands the minute details, asks tough questions and recommends creative solutions. Through his active involvement, Len has earned the reputation as a trusted and respected community member.
Our schools will face difficult fiscal and enrollment challenges in the coming years. We need experienced and trusted team players on the School Committee. I hope you will join me in voting for Kirsi Allison-Ampe and Len Kardon for School Committee on April 2.
Amy Speare
Support Kirsi Allison-Ampe for School Committee
I am writing to express my support of Kirsi Allison-Ampe in her bid for a third term as School Committee member. As a founding member of the Student Parent Enrollment Group, I have been following Arlington’s school enrollment challenges closely, attending School Committee meetings, and communicating regularly with Committee members in an effort to advocate for educationally appropriate and economically feasible solutions to the over-crowding in our schools. It is my belief that the School Committee is made stronger by the presence of Kirsi Allison-Ampe, and that in Kirsi the students of Arlington have a thoughtful, thorough, and forthright representative.
In her third term, Kirsi plans to focus on addressing enrollment growth, to work for an increase in state educational funding, to advocate for the renovation of Arlington High, and to improve communication between Arlington Public Schools and the community. I have confidence in her ability to meet these objectives. Kirsi is an independent and intelligent voice on the School Committee; she asks challenging questions, researches extensively, and provides detailed analysis of the data related to school funding and expenditures. She has a comprehensive understanding of the town and school budgets and their constraints.
Kirsi is not only capable, she is available and responsive. Over the course of the past year, Kirsi has been quick to address parent questions and concerns. She takes the time to explain her position thoroughly, and is unafraid of voicing an opposing opinion. I have appreciated her thoughtfulness and candor.
The town of Arlington is fortunate to have a School Committee candidate as capable and committed as Kirsi. Please join me on April 2, and vote for Kirsi Allison-Ampe.
Juliet Moir
I am writing to express my support of Kirsi Allison-Ampe in her bid for a third term as School Committee member. As a founding member of the Student Parent Enrollment Group, I have been following Arlington’s school enrollment challenges closely, attending School Committee meetings, and communicating regularly with Committee members in an effort to advocate for educationally appropriate and economically feasible solutions to the over-crowding in our schools. It is my belief that the School Committee is made stronger by the presence of Kirsi Allison-Ampe, and that in Kirsi the students of Arlington have a thoughtful, thorough, and forthright representative.
In her third term, Kirsi plans to focus on addressing enrollment growth, to work for an increase in state educational funding, to advocate for the renovation of Arlington High, and to improve communication between Arlington Public Schools and the community. I have confidence in her ability to meet these objectives. Kirsi is an independent and intelligent voice on the School Committee; she asks challenging questions, researches extensively, and provides detailed analysis of the data related to school funding and expenditures. She has a comprehensive understanding of the town and school budgets and their constraints.
Kirsi is not only capable, she is available and responsive. Over the course of the past year, Kirsi has been quick to address parent questions and concerns. She takes the time to explain her position thoroughly, and is unafraid of voicing an opposing opinion. I have appreciated her thoughtfulness and candor.
The town of Arlington is fortunate to have a School Committee candidate as capable and committed as Kirsi. Please join me on April 2, and vote for Kirsi Allison-Ampe.
Juliet Moir
Kirsi Allison-Ampe, an excellent member of School Committee
I have worked with Kirsi Allison-Ampe closely on both policy and budget, and she is an excellent member of the School Committee. I am proud to support Kirsi for re-election to the School Committee and I encourage you to vote for her too.
Kirsi's first asset is her passion for providing for the children of Arlington. When she finds an issue that needs resolution she methodically works every avenue available, leaving no stone unturned. She is a fierce advocate, and relentless in her advocacy for the issues.
She knows how to find help at different levels, from private groups to state government. She uses both private conversations and public debate. When I'm working with Kirsi, I know that every question is being asked and every ally is enlisted.
Kirsi's second asset is the rigor that she brings to the issues. She doesn't just bring opinions; she brings data. She is indefatigable in her pursuit of data, be it locked up in a federal database or in the logbook of an office.
That data is incredibly persuasive. There are many people who will tell you what they think. Kirsi will tell you what she knows. The facts can't be argued with, and they move the debate where it is most productive.
It is impossible to understate how vital this kind of outside research is. The school committee doesn't solve simple problems. The simple problems are resolved long before they get to that level. When you are grappling with a difficult problem, the addition of new data, new ideas, and new perspectives make a world of difference.
These qualities are exactly what Arlington needs from its School Committee members. I hope you will join me in supporting Kirsi on April 2nd.
Sincerely,
Dan Dunn
I have worked with Kirsi Allison-Ampe closely on both policy and budget, and she is an excellent member of the School Committee. I am proud to support Kirsi for re-election to the School Committee and I encourage you to vote for her too.
Kirsi's first asset is her passion for providing for the children of Arlington. When she finds an issue that needs resolution she methodically works every avenue available, leaving no stone unturned. She is a fierce advocate, and relentless in her advocacy for the issues.
She knows how to find help at different levels, from private groups to state government. She uses both private conversations and public debate. When I'm working with Kirsi, I know that every question is being asked and every ally is enlisted.
Kirsi's second asset is the rigor that she brings to the issues. She doesn't just bring opinions; she brings data. She is indefatigable in her pursuit of data, be it locked up in a federal database or in the logbook of an office.
That data is incredibly persuasive. There are many people who will tell you what they think. Kirsi will tell you what she knows. The facts can't be argued with, and they move the debate where it is most productive.
It is impossible to understate how vital this kind of outside research is. The school committee doesn't solve simple problems. The simple problems are resolved long before they get to that level. When you are grappling with a difficult problem, the addition of new data, new ideas, and new perspectives make a world of difference.
These qualities are exactly what Arlington needs from its School Committee members. I hope you will join me in supporting Kirsi on April 2nd.
Sincerely,
Dan Dunn