Board of Finance, Karen Pakulis Paul: September 29, 2023

To the Editor:

I told you in my last letter I understood how busy people are and that you don't have time to attend all the town meetings to listen and ask questions about our $27M in taxes. I also told you that I do have the time. I do go to those meetings on your behalf as an alternate on the Board of Finance (BOF) and I want to represent you as a full member.

Since I was appointed an alternate, I have missed only one of the 26 scheduled meetings. I invite you to check the meeting minutes and see for yourself.

The BOF meets more times than most boards and attendance is critical. Meetings begin in October preparing the upcoming budget fr your approval. That's what sets your next year's taxes, which can equal one to three months' paychecks for some of us each year. Other meetings involve monitoring financial operations of the town, discussing debt management, audits, or policies/planning. We make decisions moving money at the request of the Board of Selectmen. Priorities and even project changes. Like anyone else, we all have our favorite projects. But if that's all a member of any board shows up for, votes on, or rallies others around, then the big picture is lost. That's why attendance at all meetings is critical.

It takes an incredibly qualified dedicated team working together to bring all the pieces of a diversified, fair and cost-effective budget together. I'm excited to be a part of such a team who WILL bring that result to you.

On Nov. 7, vote for Fidler - Pakulis Paul - Guzman - Wilkinson. We won't disappoint.

Karen Pakulis Paul - Marlborough

Note: Pakulis Paul is an alternate member if the Board of Finance, but said she is speaking as an individual.

Board of Finance, In Support of Karen Pakulis Paul: September 29, 2023

To the Editor:

In a letter last week Karen Pakulis Paul announced her candidacy for the Board of Finance. Currently serving as an alternate, Karen distinguished herself very quickly by the depth of her knowledge and her analysis of the town budget, taxes, and discrepancies needing resolution. She was one of very dew with consistent, nearly perfect attendance.

Karen is a professional financial analyst. As a financial controller, she managed a $65 million budget, all its statements, audits, capital plan, and compliance. In her role as analyst, she was responsible also for Expense Variance Analyst and all capital projects. There it is no surprise that Karen - and only Karen - found that the columns on the 2022-2023 budget as published under the old charter, did not add up. In two significant areas, a total of $56,000 was unrecorded or mis-recorded. She, the new Alternate was the only one who noticed. (The new budget under the current administration adds up!).

Because Karen is kind, caring and wholly committed to being supportive, she combines her financial acumen with her background as a human resources manager and trainer/facilitator to raise concerns and put forth solutions without hostility and without arousing defensiveness. She is exactly what we need on the Board of Finance.

Also serving on Sustainable CT, her skills are put to work toward community benefits such as food resources. Karen has two masters degrees and is all but dissertation for her doctorate in Educational Leadership. A mother, grandmother, friend and colleague, Karen genuinely cares and wants to serve her community.

Vote wisely for Karen and her Democratic colleagues, a truly knowledgeable and trustworthy team.

Ann Terezakis - Marlborough

MES Board of Education, In Support of Jean Wilson, September 29, 2023

To the Editor:

Jean Wilson is a lifelong learner and educator who will effectively advocate for our children, school and town. I have known Jean since we were parents of young children fighting to get world languages and enrichment programs back in MES. Jean has dedicated the commitment of time and expertise to both MES and RHAM Middle and High School, for the last fifteen years or more, to ensure students receive a world class education.

Professionally, Jean has worked for over 30 years as a teacher and trainer. She is focused on school safety, AI Usage policies, curriculum and facilities. She works in higher education, stays abreast of research and understands the skills and dispositions students need to be globally competitive.

Jean and I served on the RHAM Board together for four years. Jean was known to politely and effectively focus the Board on continuous improvement that ensured offerings in the arts, advanced science and mathematics and global empathy. She listened to all parents and community members and gave their input and questions serious consideration.

My children attended MES and RHAM and they were beneficiaries of the phenomenal educators and Board members’ work that ensured excellence in education for all students. I am proud of our community and school system and I want the tradition of excellence to continue. There are few candidates who I would endorse so wholeheartedly as Jean Wilson. She is compassionate, collaborative, respects history and tradition and is future focused.

Please vote for Jean for the Marlborough Board of Education to guarantee our schools excel as we face the challenges of 2023 and beyond.

Judy Benson Clarke, Marlborough