Why I Support Ruth Pereen for Re-Election to the Essex BOS

To the Editor,

Ruth Pereen deserves your vote for re-election to the Essex Board of Selectmen. She has earned it. In my history in Essex, Ruth has been the hardest working Selectman ever, and that includes my own service on the Board in the 90’s. She has educated herself to the many municipal issues facing the Town in order to effectively fulfill her responsibilities. She has attended innumerable meetings of other Boards and committees in order to understand the issues that face these other Boards and to coordinate and cooperate on joint efforts.
Ruth works diligently and tries to represent her constituents and is unafraid to act on their behalf. Months ago, in response to a loud outcry about loud music from our restaurants, she took a hard line on issuing outside entertainment licenses. Over time however, it became clear that the vast majority in Essex were in favor of supporting our local restaurants and enjoying live music while dining or at wedding venues. Ruth listened and the Board of Selectmen has adopted a more liberal policy on those licenses. She is unafraid to change course when she finds herself out-of-step with the wishes of her fellow citizens. That is a very important trait.
The largest issue currently facing Essex is our relationship and funding of the Manchester Essex Regional School District. In spite of overall declining enrollment, the Regional budget has grown by more than the inflation rate. Additionally, Essex’s participation (number of students) has grown while Manchester’s has declined resulting in Essex’s apportionment growing beyond the Town’s ability to fund our share without significant Prop 2 ½ overrides, significantly increasing property taxes. This issue has been roiling for several years, and through it all, Ruth has been a strong voice requesting information and accountability on the District budget and programming. Many times, her efforts have been resisted by the District, speciously claiming that providing such information would violate student confidentiality. The Town is facing such an override this year, but the dynamic will continue in future years. We need Ruth to continue to advocate for the overall fiscal well-being of the Town, not just our educational system. Essex is not defined by our school system. Essex was a wonderful place to live when we tuitioned our students to Gloucester and also to Hamilton-Wenham, nothing has changed except the cost.
There is little sense in pursuing “affordable housing” initiatives if our overall fiscal actions render the housing we currently have as unaffordable.
Please join me in supporting Ruth Pereen and a responsible approach to our Town finances.

Edward T. Neal
Essex