To the Town of Lincoln:

After six engaging years on the Planning Board, I would like to continue with the productive work of this group. My goal is to insist upon and to help to craft consensus-driven solutions by eliciting and utilizing the views of as many people and groups as possible and melding them into the best possible outcome.

Since arriving in Lincoln 15 years ago, Susan and I have found great pleasure and satisfaction in our involvement with townsfolk, governance, and of course the character and landscape of this remarkable community.

Professionally, two graduate degrees in scientific fields supported my responsibilities as Director of Research Operations at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. I served on the management team responsible for a complex, interdependent research enterprise with a $325 million budget. As a director in the Office of Science and Technology, I was intimately involved with budgeting, strategic planning, space/resource allocation, and implementation of diverse critical functions. My later career included a similar function at MGH, the management team at a pharmaceutical startup, and consultant in the biomedical research arena.

My official experience on town governance began 12 years ago with the Facilities Coordinating Committee. Identifying usage patterns, availability, capabilities and limitations of our critical meeting spaces led to deeper engagement in the town’s management and social processes. I was selected as one of the three at-large members of the Community Center Study Committee, and was the Planning Board representative on the Community Center Planning & Preliminary Design Committee. I intend to continue to advocate for the community center that our town deserves and needs.

Lincoln enjoys a distinct rural character unique among towns so near Boston. It is a fundamental aspect of our special town spirit — one that deserves to be understood, respected and refined to “keep Lincoln Lincoln.” Yet we must and will evolve as times change. One key role of the Planning Board is to look ahead, anticipating what threats and opportunities the future may present and how Lincoln might most effectively engage them. The mindful management of land, services and community by committed and attentive citizens is central to my thoughts. The town’s future successes and character depend in great part on how effectively we embrace and respond to emerging ideas and approaches as they support this guiding principle.

With the help of other volunteers and staff, the Planning Board has streamlined the permitting aspect of its activities, making them more efficient and less burdensome for applicants while continuing to protect the interests of all affected parties.

Volunteers have ever been the backbone of Lincoln’s community spirit. I am enthusiastic to continue my involvement on the Planning Board. It is my hope that this note gives the voters of Lincoln greater familiarity with me, both personally and professionally. Please call or email with your thoughts, questions, or concerns. And please do vote, do volunteer and do get involved in the thoughtful evolution this exceptional town! 

Sincerely, 

Steve Gladstone 
67 Winter St.. Lincoln
617-784-9731 
steve.gladstone@gmail.com 

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

We write to endorse Kim Rajdev for election to the Lincoln School Committee.

Since moving to Lincoln five years ago with her husband and two young girls (now entering third grade and kindergarten), Kim has taken an active role in supporting the Lincoln schools. She has volunteered as a room parent in K-4 and served as a legal advisor to Lincoln Nursery School as part of the parent cooperative. Consequently, she is familiar with the challenges and issues of the Lincoln school system.

We believe that it is valuable to have Kim, an engaged parent who has the interest, experience, and professional background to contribute to the governance of Lincoln’s schools. As an engineer and lawyer, she will bring both analytical and consensus-building skills to complement those of other members of the committee.

Kim’s open, respectful style invites dialogue on important issues such as the implementation of LPS Anti-Racism, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity (AIDE) policy. She is clearly focused on enabling a school environment that encourages curiosity and high academic engagement along with a welcoming and inclusive approach to student life. As part of the Lincoln School Committee, she will be attentive to these opportunities and challenges.

Town elections are Monday, March 28. Please join us in voting for Kim Rajdev for a position on the Lincoln School Committee.

Sincerely,

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.