🔨 Meet Your Candidates for Library & Cemetery Trustees
Also School Committee and voting information
Happy Halloween, Framingham! 🎃
With one week until Election Day on Tuesday, November 7, here is the last round of candidate Q&A. If you have missed the previous two issues, here they are:
Thank you to all of the candidates who participated. I received a lot of emails and comments appreciating for the series and having the chance to better know their elected officials. With such limited news sources, giving candidates this platform is one of the only ways they can get their message out.
I’ll do something like this again - we don’t need to wait until an election year to ask questions.
Ways to Vote and Where
Election Day: Tuesday, November 7. Polls are open from 7:00am - 8:00pm
Where do I vote?: Due to redistricting, where you voted at the last municipal election in 2021 may not be where you vote this year. The Clerk’s website features a helpful map and guide to help you find your polling location. Check it out here.
Interested in voting by mail: As required by the new law, a Vote By Mail application can be submitted by any Framingham voter who had not already requested an Absentee ballot for the 2023 fall elections.
‼️ All vote by mail applications for the City Election must be received in the City Clerk’s Office, Room #105, by 5 p.m., on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. ‼️
How to obtain Vote by Mail Application
To obtain a Vote By Mail Application, click here How to obtain Vote by Mail Application. You may also contact the City Clerk at 508-532-5521 or email cityclerk@framinghamma.gov and one will be sent to you.
More questions? Need more information? The City Clerk’s website is a wealth of information, please check it out. You can also contact them at the information above.
League of Women Voters Forums
The Framingham League of Women Voters held two candidate forums yesterday. You can watch the forums between District 2 candidates Brandon Ward and Sean Silk and District 9 candidates Tracey Bryant and Jose Ferriera on their YouTube page.
It is my understanding the LWV is also trying to organize a forum for the Library Trustees. Still no word regarding the D8 Council race.
Thank you to the LWV for sponsoring these important debates!
Please note: Due to the length of this email, you may see "Message clipped | View entire message" at the bottom of your email. If you click on it, it will open a browser so you can read the entire issue. Or you can go to The Ham’er website to read it there.
Let us meet more candidates…
Have a comment or question? I’d love to hear from you. Email me at mkfeeney@gmail.com
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School Committee
District 3
Jennifer Moshe
Occupation: Self-Employed
Municipal Experience: one two-year term as District 3 School Committee
Volunteer Experience: 2Life Communities, Temple Beth Am, Brophy Elementary School PTO, Johns Pond Beach Association
Website/Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1079072842663413
Why are you running? I am running because I am the parent of three children who have gone through or are in the public school system here in Framingham. I have had a student enrolled consistently in the public school district for the past 17 years, with each of my children beginning their education in the BLOCKS program. I have seen many things throughout the 17 years and always watched or attended the school committee meetings. When the position became vacant, with no one wanting to represent my district in 2021, I stepped up to run, and I want to continue to volunteer my time and advocate for our children, families, and teachers.
Early education is a game changer for all children. Recently a presentation was made about expanding early education, but it was a seven-year plan. Do you think the timeline should be less and what will you do to ensure high quality early education is expanded in the city? Every year, the program has been expanding. You cannot develop a program like this without a well-thought-out plan consisting of teachers, location, and transportation. This program has grown year over year, and more children are being enrolled. Once we have a physical location that can meet the needs of our community, there will be no reason not to offer this. This plan may happen in less than seven years, but I would rather the district be realistic than unable to fulfill its promises.
Buses are a major issue. How will you address fixing the bus situation? There is no easy fix to this. Going back to neighborhood schools is needed, as this will decrease the need for so many seats on a bus. To go back to neighborhood schools, we must ensure that the curriculum across all schools is the same so each student is getting access to the same education. Looking into the cost associated with bringing buses back to be district-run is essential to see the differential cost. We need consistent good transportation for our children to get the best possible education. We don't have the best public transit system that families can utilize. We must also investigate an expanded transit system serving our larger population.
Social emotional and mental health of our students is critical. What more can FPS do to help our students? Framingham does a lot for our student population now. We need to identify better where the needs need to be focused. We need to improve the process. The district has done well with hiring additional support staff and making partnerships with community liaisons to help our students and families. Mental health support is not only something our students need, but their families need to find ways to support their children as well. The district works hard to bridge that gap. We need to do a better job of communicating to our families what the district can help our students with. We must also hold our students responsible for their actions and ensure our code of conduct is used consistently across the district. We need to make sure consequences are received as outlined in the code of conduct to make sure all students are treated the same.
Several schools were recently highlighted by the state for needing state assistance or intervention due to MCAS scores. What needs to be done to help those schools that fall under that criteria? I would like to see MCAS not be the benchmark used for any student. Every student learns differently. A consistent curriculum across all grade levels is so important. We now have the opportunity to make sure that our students get extra support, whether it's reading, language barriers, mathematics, or sciences. An in-depth data analysis needs to be done to identify what is causing this result so that the right, targeted supports can be implemented. Some of these supports might be happening outside the classroom, and the schools may need to work with outside partners or the city to address them. To help be better partners with our families, I would like to see more meaningful communication from the district that is going home to parents and is received. Some communication is available on social media, but we must be more widespread, effective, multilingual, and targeted. Families may consume information differently, and we must determine what that is. Gathering this information will help identify if our staff has the tools to support 100% of our students, not only the 69.9% identified as needing improvement.
While Framingham saw record levels of funding for its schools this fiscal year, what would you like to see in next year's budget? I would like to see all our schools equitable. The superintendent has been very focused on equity among all schools, and that should continue. Spend funding to continue to reduce the gap and ensure the schools have the same tools for our staff to educate our student population. Provide the same materials for all students. Ensure that our technology works the same in all buildings and the students and staff have access. I would like to see all teachers have working communication tools in the building and are trained on the tools available. Ensure our buildings are safe for our community by prioritizing specific capital improvements to be useable for the future of our community.
Meet Your Candidates for Board of Library Trustees
Board of Library Trustees is the only city-wide competitive race. Eight individuals are running for six seats. Only six candidates responded to the Q&A.
Mark Dugan
Occupation: Part Owner of Software Development Company (Retired)
Municipal Experience: 2 Term Town Meeting Member (Did not seek 3’rd term due to conversion to City)
Volunteer Experience: Town Meeting Rules Committee
Website/Social Media: No Website / No presence on Social Media
Why am I Running?
I am motivated to run because both my wife and I are enthusiastic users of the resources of the Framingham Library.
I believe that my 35 plus years of running a business in the High-Tech sector provides me with the skill set pertinent to good management of the library. I am eager to help.
Janet Harrington
Office Sought: Library Trustee, Incumbent
Occupation: Retired Ly. Director, Holliston 12 years
Municipal Experience: Framingham - Community Service Librarian, Reference Librarian ,Young Adult Librarian, Town Meeting Member
Volunteer Experience: Board, Friends of Saxonville; Tutor, Literacy Unlimited, Leadership MetroWest
Why are you running? To better share my love of learning with Framingham residents of all ages.
Heather Klish
Occupation: Librarian
Municipal Experience: I previously served as a Framingham Library Trustee from 2019 – 2021, as an appointed member of the Board. During my tenure, I was the Board Vice-Chair and served on three subcommittees. I was instrumental in forming the Advocacy Subcommittee and served as Chair. Over the past two years, I have continued to serve on the Trustees’ Advocacy Subcommittee as a member of the public. I was also a Town Meeting member and served on the Rules committee.
Volunteer Experience: Board member of the Framingham Public Library Foundation; President of the Oaks Neighborhood Association; I frequently do volunteer work for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of MA; Co-taught coding classes for Girl Develop It; Have participated in various library-related volunteer work.
Website/Social Media: Instagram @heatherklish
Why are you running? Growing up in Central NY, I found connection and community at my public library. Over the years I spent a lot of time there. I attended programs, did my homework there and had access to books and other materials that opened worlds to me. The public library is a great equalizer, allowing everyone access to information, resources, services, and technology. As both a member of the public and as a former Trustee, I have seen how the Framingham Public Library exemplifies this, and I want to support their phenomenal work.
During my time as a trustee, I believe I had a positive impact. Besides regularly attending meetings and being a collaborative member, I helped the Board implement the use of technology for several internal processes. During my last year, as chair of the newly formed Advocacy subcommittee, I led the process to advocate for that year’s library budget. I am proud to say that I was asked to continue as a member of that subcommittee as a non-board member.
If elected, I will collaborate with my fellow Trustees and the Framingham Public Library Director and staff to increase community engagement and advocate for the library. I will also work to support the library to ensure that their collections are diverse, inclusive, and accessible to all of Framingham.
I believe that it is important to be an active citizen in your community. As a Library Trustee, I can leverage my experiences and my background in librarianship to help support the Framingham Public Library and in turn support the entire community of Framingham.
Cynthia MacLean
Occupation: Homemaker and Entrepreneur
Municipal Experience: My municipal experience includes working with the City of Miami Mayor and Commissioners. During my tenure as a Special Projects Administrator with the City of Miami, I collaborated with the Mayor and Commissioners on a significant initiative: the development of a premier full-service Park and Cultural Center project. In this role, I oversaw a wide array of responsibilities, encompassing project planning, coordination, promotion, and supervision. My duties extended to organizing special community events, acting as a liaison between the media, government agency leaders, community organization executives, local residents, and the City of Miami itself. The project's budget was 50 million dollars, ultimately receiving approval from the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners.
Volunteer Experience: My volunteer experience here in Framingham reflects a diverse range of contributions to various causes and organizations, including:
Engaging as a parent volunteer at Stapleton Elementary and Walsh Middle schools
Organizing an annual Thanksgiving Turkey giveaway for families in Framingham
Serving as a first response team member with Loss Team MetroWest, focusing on suicide survivor outreach
Providing one-on-one mentoring to widowed women
Advocating for widows on an international scale
Holding the position of Vice Chair on the Framingham Women's, Children, and Families Commission Board
Formerly acting as the Vice President of the League of Women Voters in Framingham
Website/Social Media:
Website www.ElectCynthiaMacLean.com
Instagram ElectCynthiaMacLean
Facebook @CynthiaMacLeanforFraminghamLibraryTrustee
Why are you running? FRAMINGHAM IS HOME
As a widow raising my son Ziv, my relocation to Framingham was the beginning of a special chapter in our lives. We found our sanctuary at the Framingham Library, as I recognized its crucial role, particularly through the eyes of Ziv, who treasured the children’s room.
As the first ever ‘Mrs. Framingham,’ I met with the library director and discovered the library’s hidden treasures. Now, I want to ensure everyone knows the vast resources available. That’s why I’m running for a position on the Framingham Library Board of Trustees, with a determination to empower our community.
My vision is to work with the director, the staff, and the Board to boost our library's visibility, engage our diverse community, and ensure everyone knows about the vast resources available at our main library, Christa McAuliffe branch, and the wonderful bookmobile. I bring a wealth of diversity and experience to the table, from being a parent volunteer at our local schools, and grandparent, to serving the community, mentoring and advocating for widows, holding the position of Vice Chair on the Framingham Women’s, Children and Families Commission Board, and having previously served as Vice President of the League of Women Voters, Framingham. I’m also an international speaker and a business owner.
Andrew Machkasov
Occupation: currently in the market / amateur photographer
Municipal experience:Community Development Committee member (2019–22)
Volunteer experience: University Senate student representative; National Senior Classical League (Massachusetts state parliamentarian 2018–19, convention event coordinator 2016–present); 2023 Framingham History Center house tour
Social media: https://www.facebook.com/AMforFramingham
Why I'm running: I was just 8 when during a visit to the old McAuliffe Library on Nicholas Road my Mom suggested that I get my own library card, and the library has been a constant presence in my life since then. As I grew up, that meant exploring a burgeoning interest in science through Eyewitness DVDs in elementary school, waiting for the latest Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel book in middle and early high school, and supplementing my prior U.S. history education after I returned to Framingham from college in 2019.
But I am far from the only person who has benefited from the Framingham Public Library, a place that welcomes all ages and all walks of life—whether one seeks to discover, study, socialize, or attend an event. Growing up in the 21st century, I witnessed three "once in a lifetime" financial crises in just over two decades, which have only increased the already ongoing cuts to public services, and it is more crucial now than ever before for there to be greater support for the FPL.
As a Library Trustee, I will work towards more open access to information, the return and expansion of in-person events and activities, and a Library that serves the needs of all who visit it, regardless of what they’re looking for at that moment. It would be an honor to serve the city that I have called home for my whole life.
Julie Wolf (she/her)
Occupation: Book Editor/Sole Proprietor, Qwerty Editorial
Municipal Experience: n/a
Volunteer Experience: Temple Beth Am, Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, Rabbinic Search Committee; Duke University Reader Project; Christa McAuliffe Charter School, Parent Teacher Group (PTG); Potter Road School, Library and Classroom Parent Volunteer; Brownies and Girl Scouts, multiple troops, Cookie Mom
Website/Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewolf-editorial/
Why are you running? I’ve logged a lot of time in Framingham’s libraries since moving here 22 years ago. My three kids got their first library cards at the old Saxonville Branch. When the “new” McAuliffe opened, we were so excited, we bought a brick! We’ve outgrown the children’s room, but I’m still a regular at the library. I specialize in editing African American history books, and early drafts often require additional research. The Framingham libraries have never let me down. Our libraries have much to offer in addition to shelf after shelf of books: literacy programs; technology; job-search resources; after-school help for students and lifelong learning for everyone else. Most importantly, they provide a safe space for our diverse residents of all ages. But libraries are under attack. When I was collecting signatures to get on the ballot, a voter asked my thoughts on book banning. I barely knew how to answer. It seemed so obvious. I said, "Well, I'm against it, of course," and she said, "I just wanted to check. You never know." That stayed with me. You do never know. It just takes one person making noise about one book they deem "dangerous." In Framingham, we have uncensored access to books of all kinds, but it's naive to dismiss these concerns as overblown: Book challenges have soared in Massachusetts, too. I’ve volunteered in many capacities in Framingham. Now I want to volunteer for Framingham. As your Library Trustee, I will work to ensure that our libraries remain vibrant, inclusive, and safe for all.
Meet Your Candidate for Edgell Grove Cemetery Trustee
Edgell Grove Cemetery Trustees are a city-wide election. There are two candidates for two seats.
John Feeney
Occupation: Retired software engineer and educator
Municipal Experience: Elected as Cemetery Trustee in 2019
Volunteer Experience: Framingham Youth Hockey, Framingham Baseball
Why am I running? I am running for reelection as trustee of the Edgell Grove Cemetery to be able to continue working with the other Trustees, who in 2022 were given the responsibility of overseeing the Department of Cemeteries, which maintains Old South Cemetery, Main Street Cemetery, and Edwards Cemetery, in addition to Edgell Grove Cemetery.
Among our many activities, we applied for and received grant money from three sources: a local bank for $10,000, the National Historic Preservation Trust for $5,000, and the Framingham Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for $225,000.
Software to digitize the cemetery documents and provide easy lookups for loved ones is being procured for Edgell Grove Cemetery. This fulfills a campaign promise made in my first election.
Finally, I have learned how important a cemetery is for providing for the grieving. One may think it is about plots, but actually the real job is to help those still living. I wish to continue to help with this service as much as I can. Thank you.
(In full disclosure: John Feeney is my father.)
The Civic Week Ahead
Monday, October 30
Wednesday, November 1
Thursday, November 2
Parting Thoughts
Season 2 of The Ham’er podcast returns this week. I have another great lineup that’ll take us through to 2024. So many great people doing wonderful work in our community. I cannot wait to share their stories with you.
Do you listen to podcasts? Search for The Ham’er Podcast on your favorite player. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe to the show and never miss an episode.
Believe in Framingham,
Mary Kate