Although I am no longer voting in Newburyport, I remain deeply attached to and interested in the city that was my home for 35 years. As many of your readers know, I served 22 years in elective office in Newburyport, on the School Committee and the Charter Review Commission. During that time, I had the privilege of working with Sarah Hall, who I strongly endorse for City Council At-large this November.
I found her to be intelligent, compassionate, and a deeply thoughtful leader who listens well, and has many strengths that serve the community. She has been engaged in so many important issues affecting Newburyport in the time I have known her, including schools, the environment, our public library. She is active in her support of the art, and she is a gifted educator. In our joint capacity as Home School Educators at Mass Audubon, I’ve seen her students filled with wonder and joy at the lessons she shares with them.
Her experience as Vice Chair of the School Committee, along with overseeing school budgets and negotiating contracts with the Teacher’s Union, have been invaluable, and speak to her deep understanding of how government and community work.
She leads by example, and the example she sets is that of a collaborative, dedicated, creative, and innovative public servant. She has as true a moral compass as anyone I have worked with in public service; and that’s a crucial asset in these chaotic times. She is deeply honest and brings a quiet integrity to everything she does. Her interests are broad and well-informed and reflect the best of public service. And she gets things done.
I encourage you to cast a vote for Sarah Hall. Newburyport needs her leadership, her compassion, and especially her integrity.
Bruce Menin
Former Vice Chair of the School Committee