To the editor:
I encourage you to consider voting for Larry Fliegelman for the one year select board position on this year’s town meeting ballot. I first spent time with Larry when he assumed a major role in managing the Hardwick Emergency Supply and Support Center in the aftermath of the 2023 flood. When Hardwick Neighbor to Neighbor (HNtN) took responsibility for this resource at the request of the town, we had no clear structure for how to best tend to this task. With his background in educational leadership, Larry applied his systems thinking and his strong organizational skills which were key to creating a structure to manage the center. He was subsequently instrumental in drafting an Emergency Supply and Support Center Operating Manual that is now part of the town’s Emergency Management Plan.
Similarly, when HNtN offered to assist residents with FEMA applications, he immediately volunteered his time to help people sort through often confusing options and paced them through the application process with both competence and compassion. He was quick to assume a leadership role in these efforts, is calm under pressure, and has a great sense of humor.
One other reason I am going to vote for Larry comes from our conversations about his work as a devoted educator. He cares deeply about the well being of all children and is an ardent advocate for any child who is in need of support. Larry goes above and beyond for issues that he cares about, a key attribute of an effective select board member. His work on the planning commission is another example of his commitment to this town.
Please vote for Larry Fliegelman for select board on March 3, Town Meeting Day, at the Town House.
Helen Beattie
Hardwick
