A contested election is always a good thing, and never more so than when voters have two (or more) terrific candidates to choose from. This year’s runoff for Board of Health was one such contest, and the 12-vote margin between Lorin Johnson and Libby Levison is an indication of how hard it was to choose between them.
Johnson, in almost a decade on the health board, has built a well-deserved reputation for doing the job with care and compassion and for going out of his way to help homeowners find solutions to tricky septic problems. Dealing with the myriad rules and regulations administered by the Board of Health can be daunting, but Johnson had a way with people that was reassuring, yet knowledgeable. He worked hard to understand the issues, and he cared deeply about the health of Harvard residents, particularly in regard to protecting residents from mosquito- and tick-borne diseases.
The town is fortunate to have had the benefit of his experience and his commitment to the public good.
