Issues of Concern in this Election Cycle
There are various key topics that, if elected, I would like to address and help move forward. Listed below are the areas in which I would be honored to serve you in if elected to Select Board.
Taxes
Taxes are always too high. But the real question is: Are you getting real value for the taxes you pay? For Town services, roads and infrastructure, the preservation of the natural beauty and the environment and our diversity of community, and for the education of our children? Are your taxes being used wisely and effectively?
Our Businesses
How can we better support our business, to have them be more profitable and able to assist with easing the tax burden of property taxes for homeowners in Sharon? Of particular interest are the businesses on Route 1, and in Sharon Gallery. An interesting option for Sharon Gallery may be to have a large-scale electric vehicle charging station, with power supplied by solar panels with storage in battery packs, to augment the electric grid – a green and sustainable option that addresses Global Climate Change, and establishes a business that generates tax revenue for the Town.
Our Schools
The School Committee is separately elected, yet it meets with the Select Board in that it is able to collaborate on the budget through the Priorities Committee. Having been on the Priorities Committee from the “School side,” there are priorities I would certainly support, such as fully funding full-day Kindergarten, while also be cognizant of where the money would come from in other parts of the Town’s budget.
Roads & Infrastructure
Of particular concern are the potential traffic patterns and traffic controls, construction, and disruptions that may occur on South Main Street between Shaw’s Plaza and the entrance to the future Sharon Gallery stores. There needs to be at least more communication and transparency to the residents and neighbors from Mass Highway, to assure and mitigate these issues and concerns.
Our Towns Buildings
In the past few years, we have built a new fire station, a new police station, and a new Town Hall Office building. Let’s confirm to fund the routine maintenance costs for these buildings to keep them as “new.” A stich in time saves nine.
Energy & the Environment
In the 2000s I sent an email to the Energy Advisory Committee, regarding installing a solar farm on top of the Sharon landfill off Mountain Street. Professionally, in 2008, I was editor of a special issue of a professional journal, which issue was titled, “Engineering Strategies for Global Climate Change,” published by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
I have lived Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion all my life, since being the only Chinese or Asian kid in most of my classes since the first grade. I have experienced name-calling, discrimination, and harassment even as recently as a year ago in Sharon. But through it all, there are so many friends and people who are supporters of a diverse and inclusive environment, and I have always tried to bring together everyone, including the approach of “turning the other cheek” and being understanding of those who are not inclined to be inclusive, and even though they may disagree with the concepts of DEI.