CANDIDATES FOR DEVENS COMMITTEE
Michael Alves, Bradley Circle
My family and I have moved to Devens from Boston, after living there 21 years, for many of the reasons you find yourselves living here. We find Devens to be magical and a breath of fresh air. Because we’re new here, we’re looking to build relationships, make friends, contribute, and get involved. My wife and I are both self-employed, so I have a little extra time to devote to our community. We have a child at Hildreth and I volunteered to coach her in two sports there so far.
Devens’ future is a topic of conversation my neighbors and I discuss often when we go for walks or meet at the bus stop. I’m a self-starter, from a strong and loving family, the oldest sibling and a middle cousin, so I’m a strong leader and connector.
My father and his family emigrated from Portugal when he was 6, so I watched firsthand what it takes to succeed in a new place. If you vote for me, I’ll find a way to solicit your feedback to help inform me as I represent your voice in these meetings and transparently share what goes on in them.
Cindy Carter, Cavite Street
I am a 10-year resident of Devens and am happy and proud to be living in our community. I have been attending the Devens Committee meetings consistently for 10 years because I have found the meetings to be a valuable resource and means of communication for residents with MassDevelopment, Devens Enterprise Commission, and other stakeholders. It is also an opportunity to meet more of our neighbors and share experiences. I have a strong commitment to helping to facilitate the continued betterment of our community and would love to serve on this committee.
Tracy Clark, Auman Street (incumbent)
I have been a resident at Devens for just over a decade and have been active with the Devens Committee for most of that time. I believe this committee plays an important role for our community in hosting a monthly meeting to facilitate open discussions between MassDevelopment and the residents of Devens, where everyone can express their thoughts about issues relevant to our community. I’d appreciate your support for my role in continuing this work.
Ralph Fehlberg, Elm Road
My family was fortunate to have moved to Devens this summer after living in Harvard for 15 years. I retired from the U.S. Army in 2011 and have been working as a farmer, stay-at-home dad, Scout leader (Eagle Scout 1976), and office manager for a solar engineering firm since then. My wife and I have a son who is enrolled at the Parker Essential Charter School. We are excited and glad to be living in Devens; it is a great community.
Given my background I would like to be able to contribute to both the present and future well-being of our Devens community. That is why I am running for the Devens Committee.
David Laperriere, Auman Street
I have been a resident of Devens since 2017. I am a systems engineer and have worked in the defense industry for nearly 20 years supporting various Navy, Army, and Air Force initiatives. I currently work out of Hanscom Air Force Base on early warning radar. When I am not helping to keep our nation safe, I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife, Lisa, our four children: Ava (16), Josiah (14), Lizzie (11), and Benjamin (5 months); and our two golden retrievers, Honey and Dory.
Regarding my purpose in running for the Devens Committee, I am intent on ensuring that the residents’ perspectives are clearly represented and communicated to MassDevelopment and our state representatives. Additionally, I am hoping to assist in ensuring that the issues and decisions that impact the residents are more consistently communicated to the board and the Devens residents well in advance of any sort of impact or final decision. I look forward to the opportunity to serve our growing community.
CANDIDATES FOR
DEVENS EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (DEAC)
Naomi Ahuja, Bradley Circle
My family and I moved to Devens in early 2021. We plan on making Devens our home for a long time to come, and it is important to me that all the children of Devens have access to a quality school district, with all the accommodations they need to thrive and grow.
This recent move has been a big positive change in our lives. I have a 5-year-old son who attends kindergarten at Hildreth and a 2-year-old daughter who will start preschool next year. Last year my son was in need of extra help and was not able to attend private preschools. He was struggling with behavioral issues and fine motor skills, and we were desperate to find a way to help him. I was able to get him evaluated with the school district and enrolled in pre-K at Hildreth, where he improved drastically.
It is a huge relief to see him come home happy every day now.
We absolutely love our neighbors and the small community here in Devens. One of the things I love most about Devens is the diversity of the community, both economically and culturally. It would be an honor to represent this community on the DEAC, and if chosen I pledge to make myself available to respectfully listen to any concerns or suggestions for the DEAC.
Erinc Caglar, Grant Road (write-in candidate)
Education for our kids was a major part of why we decided to call Devens home. I would love to be more involved in DEAC and provide additional perspective as a mother of two and Devens resident. Please consider me as a write-in candidate.
Heather Knowles, Walnut Street (incumbent)
I am a longtime Devens resident with two high school students, and I have been involved in the community, and specifically education for our kids, for most of my time here.
My family has had a wonderful experience with the Harvard schools, and surveys of our residents consistently favor retaining the current contract. There are always opportunities for improvement, however, and I would continue to advocate for our residents with any concerns that arise in a continuing effort to improve the educational experience for our children.
If reelected I promise to continue to strive to understand the will and experiences of our residents and communicate them to MassDevelopment and the schools. It is also important to note that many families at Devens go to Parker or home-school or [use the choice program] to other schools, and supporting them is part of the mission of the DEAC, and for me personally, as well. Please vote for me in the upcoming election.
I would love to continue to represent us. We are a small community and every vote counts. Our vote is our voice.
