Annie Cameron

Political platform statement

An Essex resident since 1997, I live on Pickering Street with my husband Gordon Martin, where we’ve raised four kids.  I’m a Senior Product Manager in the school and library market at EBSCO, where I’ve worked for 18 years.

Over the past 25+ years, I have volunteered on many local boards, including the original school regionalization subcommittee in the late 1990s, the Essex PTO (President), the MERSD school committee for two stints totaling about 11 years (including two as Chair), on both the Middle High School and Memorial School building committees (Co-Chair), and the Town of Essex Strategic Planning Committee (Chair for two years).  Currently, I’m Chair of the Manchester Essex Education Fund, serve on the board at Action Inc., am a member of the High School Council, and serve on the new Essex Elementary School building committee.

One might think, based on my experience and what I am hearing in some conversations, that I’m only about schools.  That’s not the case.  I’m not a one trick pony.  When you’re on any of these committees, you come to the table as an Essex representative—and you need to represent the people who elected you—that means parents and kids; people without kids; Seniors; and businesses.  Without all those voices represented and the context of what is happening within the town, you can’t make sound decisions.  That’s the perspective I’ve brought to any work I’ve done on behalf of the town.

I care deeply about Essex, its residents, and its future.  Our community must remain a place where neighbors care for one another, where every voice is heard, and where we build a strong future rooted in kindness, cooperation, and mutual respect.  We need leaders who listen, collaborate, and focus on practical and thoughtful solutions.

Key Priorities

• Clarify the role of the Select Board: Let’s define what falls under the Board’s responsibilities and support the work and autonomy of co-equal boards and our professional employees without overstepping.

• Support local businesses: Revisit the entertainment policy that has caused so much frustration.  With $9M in our reserve funds, we can safely return a portion of the meals tax revenue to promote our local businesses, as originally intended.  Finally, let’s actively seek events that increase community engagement and bring visitors to our town and local businesses.

• Strengthen our infrastructure: Plan strategically for big projects like water and sewer upgrades, a professional fire department, and the Essex Elementary School.

• Rebuild regional trust: Essex and Manchester need to work together to support our shared school district.  Infighting and a lack of leadership over the last several years, including around the current budget override, has been highly disappointing and frustrating.  It’s a town issue—not just a school issue.  The future of our own elementary school building, the District, and any chance at other regional efforts with our neighboring towns to share costs is at stake.

• Explore regional solutions: Revisit opportunities for shared services with nearby towns, as outlined in the Collins Center study.  As the costs of basic services continue to rise, we must be creative in maintaining our independence while being fiscally responsible.

• Support our seniors and youth: Recognizing the importance of maintaining our diverse community, we must not only promote existing tax relief programs available through the Assessor’s office and the health-saving guidance offered by the Senior Center, but also establish an Elderly and Disabled Taxation Aid Fund similar to that found in communities like Hingham and Natick.  We also need to encourage volunteer-driven efforts to expand youth programming.

I know from my experience on other boards and committees that there’s lots to learn on any new job.  If anyone is prepared to step into this role, it's me.  I hope that you will accept my invitation to engage and share your ideas and energy to facilitate change.