Honey & Incremental Change

With a little over two weeks left before the election, I can say that I have learned more so far than I ever thought possible, and I'm excited to continue on that journey!

Through the many conversations I've had with residents, officials, and others I have noticed myself repeating two things very frequently - "You Catch More Flies with Honey", and "Pragmatic, incremental change is the key". 

What's Honey Got to Do with Anything? 

  While everyone's overarching goal is to build a better Winthrop, there are a variety of beliefs on what would truly make it "better". Is it more trees? Is it safer roads? Is it more development? Less? 

  I've seen many groups take an aggressive approach to having their voices heard which seems to lead to polarization and a lack of progress from any angle. 

I firmly believe in the power of positive relationships. The ability to foster and maintain relationships with others has been the key to success in countless situations throughout my life, and implementing change within the local government should be no different. 

  Maintaining respectful, openminded, and thoughtful dialogues will be my approach to determining the best course of action as well as advocating for my constituents. 

Incremental Change Doesn't Sound Like Progress...

Don't let the term 'progress' scare you off. Progress doesn't mean a complete disembarkation from the status quo, and it certainly doesn't mean leaving the aspects of Winthrop that we all love for a totally different town character. Progress simply means that we're actively making decisions that move the town forward in a way that preserves its charm as it rises to its fully potential, meanwhile remaining financially stable.

  So how do we make some of the "big" changes like safer roads for all, dealing with the airport, the dreaded "loop", our revenue issues, etc.? A little bit at a time. By breaking big goals into small, achievable ones, we will see change unfold before our eyes.

For example - want safer streets? Installing speed bumps/humps and having a speed trap on every corner isn't fiscally doable or logically achievable. However - small things like delineator posts to highlight "no parking" areas, new crosswalk signs, flashing speed signs, etc. meet some of the needs to improve safety while remaining low cost. As these things are implemented and the needs are reassessed, more drastic measures (bump outs, speed traps, etc.) could be researched at that time.  

_______________________________________________________

I stand by my beliefs in these sentiments both on the campaign trail and while on the council if I am elected in November. I have spent a lot of time examining the big issues and generating ideas on how to break them down to manageable steps as well as ways to approach the ideas in a manner that is respectful and collaborative. 

I'm sure there will be more lessons to come in the next few weeks - looking forward to meeting more residents! :) 

We're Officially on the Ballot!

What a weekend!! It was so great to meet so many new people and hear about issues that matter to the people of precinct 3.

I certainly learned a lot this weekend - for example, don't set up a table during a holiday weekend! Despite the less than ideal timing of that, I was able to get enough certified signatures to be officially placed on the ballot for the November 2nd election! 

In the coming months, I want to dedicate myself to meeting as many Precinct 3 residents as possible. I understand that the issues of Point Shirley often dominate the precinct, and I will extend the effort to understand and champion the concerns of of residents of Cottage Hill and Winthrop Shore Drive. Stay tuned for events specifically aimed at those areas soon! 

Thank you again for all of your support! I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve Precinct 3 and all of Winthrop!

For updates on the campaign straight to your email - please complete either the "Get Updates" box on the bottom of the home page, or the form under the "Volunteer" tab! 

All the best, 

Hannah 

Meet & Greet - Sept. 23rd @ 5:30pm

My Road to Candidacy

Hello All!

It has been a long road to get to this point - the start of my campaigning for the position of Precinct 3 Town Councilor. I have wanted to pursue this position for a few years now, and was ecstatic when I realized that the next election lined up perfectly with finishing my Master's Degree. While I was in school, I didn't have the bandwidth to get as involved in the community as I wanted, and everything going remote in March of 2020 afforded me more flexibility and I was able to join two committees and really start getting my feet wet. 

Over the past several months, I have dedicated myself to meeting community members, learning about different interest groups and their goals, and educating myself on the world of municipal finance. I have learned so much already, and know that there is still so much to learn!

I have absolutely loved getting the chance to meet people who's paths I may not have crossed with otherwise. This community never ceases to amaze me with the abundance of passionate, intelligent people in our midst. 

Its truly wonderful to see new residents and families moving to Winthrop and becoming involved - I can feel that Winthrop is on the precipice of a wonderful shift towards a more productive, inclusive, and thriving community. 

Professionally, I have honed the ability to work with a wide range of personalities and within well-defined structures of rules while still successfully developing creative and impactful solutions that benefit everyone involved. I have developed communication skills that allow me to compromise civilly and stand up for my beliefs and agendas in a way that assuages resistance and fosters an environment of mutual respect. 

I am sincerely looking forward to the opportunity to bring those skills to the Town Council in a way that will benefit residents. I would love to work for YOU, the Winthrop community members, to bring your ideas into reality and build the environment that you want and deserve for this town. 

Thank you to all who have met with me, provided me with resources, encouraged me, and proofread and email or two - it takes a village, and I'm very grateful for mine!

Signature Collection This Weekend

I'll be out this weekend collecting signatures! Hope to see you out there!