Board of Finance Alt., Marcus Wilkinson: September 15, 2023

To the Editor:

I am honored to have been nominated by the Marlborough Democrat Town Committee as a candidate for Alternate on Marlborough’s Board of Finance, together with Jack Fidler, Karen Pakulis Paul and William Guzman, the MDTC-endorsed candidates for full seats on the Board of Finance. Having lived in Marlborough for 26 years, I am committed to its well-being. Earlier this year, I was privileged to be a member of the Search Committee that assisted the Board of Selectmen in hiring Marlborough’s new Town Manager. I also have over three decades of experience as a business lawyer, which has given me years of practical experience with financial statements and budgets. My experience as a business lawyer has involved negotiation, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills that can be applied to Marlborough’s financial matters. If I am elected, one of my priorities will be transparency, because keeping the town’s citizens informed is the best way to foster trust and make Marlborough’s citizens feel like they are a valued part of every important town decision. I commit to working collaboratively with other board members, town officials, and stakeholders to ensure the best financial decisions are made for Marlborough’s benefit. I thank you in advance for your support at the polls on November 7.

Respectfully submitted,

Marcus Wilkinson

Board of Finance, Karen Pakulis Paul: September 15, 2023

To the Editor:

With 28 years working experience in Finance and Human Resources, advanced degrees in both fields, and a strong community focused value system I want to represent the residents of Marlborough by performing the financial oversight and responsibilities on the Board of Finance. I am asking for your support.

It seems like we just became triumphant over the growing pains from a 3-person to a 5-person Board of Selectmen. We finally have our accomplished Town Manager on board. And it’s election time! On November 7th we’ll be voting for 3 of the 5 Selectpersons again.

Not a big deal? I ask if would you be open-minded for a minute and let me explain why it might be a big deal. Whether you vote or not, you are agreeing to empower those people, whom you did or did not vote for, to decide how to spend an awful lot of your hard-earned money called TAXES. Most of the time you’ll have no idea what it’s being spent on until after it is done. If you question it, the response will be “It was in the budget. The Town voted for the budget.”

How does this happen? It happens because you are so busy working, taking care of family or a business, going to classes at night, trying to keep up with a home, you may have kids, coach sports, etc. It’s all called life. You don’t have time to attend town meetings to ask what’s going on. BUT I DO. I have time. I do ask questions of who, where, and why - when it comes to spending our tax dollars. Can I count on your support? Please vote.

Karen Pakulis Paul – Marlborough

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

Week of September 18

This week’s town meetings. Get Involved. Stay Informed.

Town calendar subject to change; see full calendar by clicking graphic below.