I am writing to offer Marie Sobalvarro a ringing endorsement in her bid for reelection to the Board of Selectmen.
I have known Marie personally for several years, and have had the pleasure of directing her older daughter in theater activities. Marie is the kind of person who makes Harvard what it is: a town bound not just by geography, but also by citizenship and community values. For old-timers and newcomers alike, these values are what draws us or keeps us here, and Marie embodies them with grace and commitment.
We are asked again to choose from a field of candidates for the board, all of whom have demonstrated their commitment to the town through citizenship and service. Marie seems to me uniquely qualified for reasons both of training and character.
Marie’s work experience with the prestigious firms Andersen Consulting and Deloitte & Touche speak to the technical, financial, and managerial skills she brings to the board. In these times of great fiscal uncertainty, our town is well served by Marie’s acumen and leadership in these areas.
Times of uncertainty are also times of political anxiety: witness the heated rhetoric that has marred our national politics. At these times, more than ever, we need from our elected leaders compassion, fair-mindedness, equanimity, and a commitment to transparency. Marie embodies these traits deeply. In my experience, Marie’s hallmark concern for her fellow citizens, her willingness to listen, and her proven ability to work with others makes her ideally suited to help guide our town through these difficult times.
Marc Vilain
Oak Hill Road
