To the Editor:
It is great news that Gary Gilbert is seeking to join Manchester's Planning Board and I encourage voters to write in Gary's name on the ballot of the June 30 election. The current member holding that seat did not submit papers so there is a write-in option for that position on the ballot to complete the board.
Gary is passionate and energetic about the future well-being of our town. Many of you may know Gary for roles he has played in town, e.g. sponsoring the initiative for adoption of the Community Preservation Act. In addition to his education in architecture and urban planning, Gary has the valuable background of three years of service on Manchester's Zoning Board of Appeals as well as a prior five-year stint on the Planning Board.
With the Planning Board currently working through updates of the zoning by-laws -- updates which will be presented to voters for consideration in a future town meeting -- it will be most helpful to have his education and experience contributing to make the update process well-informed and thought-through. Gary was an active participant in the committee that recently completed an update of Manchester's master plan and that is another big plus as the Planning Board now looks toward supporting the goals articulated in the plan.
I have attended numerous planning board meetings of late (with recent ones being virtual, of course) and have seen first-hand the need for the qualities Gary can add to the board.
George Davis
Manchester
