This is an important election year. The Town Meeting will be dealing with another set of large budget overrides. This brings up the critical issue of how Harvard will maintain its preeminence in its schools over the next several years given the recurring budget deficits. It will take the strong, knowledgeable, experienced leadership of the Board of Selectmen to deal with a problem of this magnitude.
Ron Ricci will bring these qualities to the board. As a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former officer aboard attack submarines, Ron has been trained as a leader and had the opportunity to practice these skills as an officer aboard one of the most sophisticated and complex vehicles in the military.
After completing his service, Ron founded a local high-tech company, Applewood Controls, and has managed that enterprise for the last 24 years, employing engineers and technicians to provide sophisticated products around the world. He understands the needs of small businesses, the kind of enterprises that Harvard must attract to its commercial district to increase its commercial tax base.
A defining experience for Ron was the role he played in the Bare Hill Pond pumping project. The future health of this key town resource was dependent upon the pond water level being lowered to the point where the weeds would be exposed during the winter cold and thereby exterminated. Ron worked with a group of other volunteers as they brought their individual knowledge and skills to bear to complete the project successfully. From this experience, Ron confirmed again the lessons from his military career, the importance of gathering together and taking advantage of the human resources with which we are blessed in our town. The knowledge, skills, and capabilities that Ron will bring to the Board of Selectmen is what defines his candidacy. Voting for Ron on Election Day will be one of the most positive things you can do for your town.
Tony Marolda
Jacob Gates Road
