Jon Benson Announces Run For Re-Election To Acton Selectmen

The following is a campaign announcement from Jon Benson about his bid for re-election to the Acton Board of Selectmen. If you have a campaign announcement you would like published, email [email protected].

I wish to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Board of Selectmen in the March 30 Town Election. My nominating papers have been certified.

The past three years have been challenging and very worthwhile. My first vote as a Selectman on April 9, 2018 was my most important: offering the Town Manager’s job to John Mangiaratti. John has continued the steady leadership of his two long serving predecessors and brought the energy and foresight of the next generation.

I have enjoyed the seven men and women with whom I have served. Together we adopted a sustainability policy for the Town and authorized the hiring of a full-time sustainability director, created a needed Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Commission and achieved the 10% 40B affordable housing threshold. Personally I take satisfaction in my leadership role in the outreach efforts to secure Town Meeting funding in 2019 and 2020 for the Kelley’s Corner Infrastructure Project, the North Acton Fire Station in 2019 and the Small Business Grant Program in 2020.

If re-elected to a second term, I look forward to receiving the report of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Commission and implementing its recommendations, recruiting the next generation of diverse Actonians to serve on our Town boards and committees and assuming a sale of the K-Mart parcel is concluded, working with the new owners, Town staff and residents in re-developing the parcel.

For there to be progress on the sensitive and complex issue of race we need to listen to and consider the opinions and perspectives of everyone regardless of race or ethnicity. There needs to be candor on all sides, without judgment, in order for the community to have “conversations that matter” as former longtime resident George Smith, who is Black, often said. Without these fundamental understandings, we will not get to where we need to be.

Thank you.