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MILLBURY, Mass. - TheDailyMillbury.com will be publishing candidate announcements during the Millbury town election season. Each candidate will be allowed one announcement. Residents who wish to endorse candidates through letters to the editor may only write one endorsement letter per candidate. Email sbalestrieri@mainstreetconnect.us.
I am writing to all Millbury residents to announce my candidacy for one of the two available seats on the Millbury Board of Selectmen in the April 24 Town Election. My name is Sandra J. Cristo, however just about everyone around town simply calls me Sandy. I am running for Selectman because I feel that I can offer a new choice and a new voice to all Millbury residents. I believe in open, responsive, and honest government. To that end I will strive to bring common sense, open dialogue, and my moderate to conservative fiscal values to Millbury Town Government if you elect me as your independent voice to serve on your Board of Selectmen.
I believe that the current economic climate will require your next Selectman to look at a number of economic & financial issues not only in Town Government but also for Millbury residents as well. If elected as a Selectman, I will advocate for expansion of more economical alternative energy solutions on both the town and homeowner levels. We have to do a better job of seeking out new energy sources and opportunities that will release Millbury from the financial burdens that the cost of foreign oil is placing on all of us. In addition, we as a community need to attract new businesses and provide incentives for businesses to locate and remain in Millbury. Many of our returning veterans, high school & college graduates as well as our seniors need locally based full and part time jobs due to the poor economic climate and the rising cost of gasoline. Many of our local small businesses are struggling to survive. I firmly believe that there are number of local initiatives that we can implement now to spur job growth, promote our local businesses and broaden our tax base. As the daughter of a World War II Veteran and as a recent retiree I can now fully understand and appreciate the many difficult financial issues that affect Millbury Seniors and our Veterans. If I am elected I will strive to work with both groups to develop strategies to improve their quality of life.
I strongly believe in civic pride and volunteerism and would continue to promote these ideals as a member of your Board of Selectmen. I have been an active volunteer in Millbury for many years. In the 1970’s I was a charter member of the former Millbury Mother’s Club (now known as the Millbury Parent’s Club). In 1978, I served on the Millbury Cable TV Advisory Committee. In 1994, I was appointed to serve on the original Asa Waters Mansion Task Force which was charged with restoring and setting policies and procedures for use of this historic structure. Today I am still serving on the Asa Waters Task Force as Chairman. In 2009, I was appointed to serve on the Millbury Charter Review Committee and with our work now completed my appointment will expire this year.
In terms of my personal background; I was born in a rural part of Washington State and have lived here in Millbury for over 40 years, while my husband Jude has lived here for his entire life. I raised my two daughters Brenda & Cindy in Millbury and they both attended Millbury Public Schools before going on to college to pursue their degrees in Nursing. I have five grandchildren and three of them live in Millbury and attend our Public Schools. In addition to raising my children, I worked for over 30 years at two Millbury businesses. While employed at IBA, I was in charge of the Cost Department. As an employee of NENSCO, I worked as a Sales Service Representative to the newspaper industry. I am also a member of the Millbury Women’s Club, the Friends of the Asa Waters Mansion, & the Millbury Historical Society. In 2007, I received the first Millbury Unsung Heroine Award at the Massachusetts State House for my volunteer work in our community.
In closing, in these tough economic times we need to save money by thinking outside of the box in terms of municipal budgets and expenses. I will oppose raising any taxes and municipal fees as I firmly believe that the key to Millbury’s economic future is to attract new business and industry now. I have regularly attended Town Meetings and through my work on the Asa Waters Task Force I have gained valuable experience in terms of maintaining itemized and balanced budgets. I firmly believe in being totally accessible and courteous to all Millbury residents and will serve all residents civilly, equally and fairly. On Tuesday April 24, 2012, I ask you to cast one of your two votes for Selectman for your new voice, Sandra J. Cristo.
Sincerely,
Sandy Cristo
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