The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

Letter to the editor from Vin Cannistraro

letter

To the editor:

The Squirrel has posted several letters written by me, and I hope that what I have to say resonates in some way with what residents may be thinking and/or feeling. If you are curious to learn more about me or share your thoughts, you are always welcome to email me at vincentcann@gmail.com, or call me at 781-259-1726. I also encourage you to watch the recording of the March 15 town candidate forum [editor’s note: soon to be posted on lincolntv.pegcentral.com] so you can form your own opinion—be it good, bad, or other.

I would also like to take a moment to share why I have come to embrace a fundamental belief in the power of inclusion and deep appreciation for different perspectives.

Over 25 years of my professional career is in the area of mechanical construction. My dad started the business from my bedroom, and the company has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in the nation. What was our family’s secret? In short, it was a philosophy of fostering inclusion and diversity of perspectives. We were the only firm to be started by someone who had never worked in the trades, the first to hire non-construction personnel in key management positions, the first to hire women in a traditionally “men’s” business at all levels, and the first to establish a program for inner-city youth to start in our shop, leading to sponsorship into the notoriously “tight-knit” labor unions.

Whether it has been in my academic, business or personal life, I’ve been so very fortunate to benefit from the different experiences of virtually anyone I meet.  If any of you feel the same way, I would certainly welcome your consideration of me as a Selectman for this amazing community.

Sincerely,

Vin Cannistraro
15 Deer Run Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Support reelection of Peter Braun

letter

Received March 16

To the Editor:

Along with many other Lincoln residents, we urge Lincoln voters to support Peter Braun for reelection to the Board of Selectmen. We have known Peter as a respected neighbor and a trusted friend for almost thirty years, and we appreciate his willingness to devote another three years of wholehearted service to the town.

Peter’s experience as an attorney, as a member of the Lincoln Finance Committee, and now as a diligent and dedicated Selectman make him thoroughly qualified for a second term.

Importantly, Peter has established substantial credibility with Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS) members and with Air Force and state officials, which makes him an indispensable representative during ongoing discussions about the future of Hanscom Air Force Base. His thoughtful perspective in managing the effects of the Route 2 flyover project has also upheld the best interests of the town.

Please vote to re-elect Peter Braun on March 31.

Sincerely,

Gus Browne and Lorraine Fiore
11 Trapelo Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic. They may be edited for length, grammar/punctuation, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Five residents write in support Braun

Received March 16

letter

To the editor:

We are writing this letter to urge all Lincoln citizens to vote in the upcoming town elections and to support Peter Braun for re-election as Lincoln selectman. These are difficult times politically which call for experienced hands to guide us through. Over the next several years, there will be need for large capital expenditures for the Lincoln schools, for a community center to serve the needs of Lincoln’s older citizens, and for anticipated conservation purchases. With reduced national military expenditures, the specter of Hanscom’s closing is again on the political horizon.

[Read more…] about Letter to the editor: Five residents write in support Braun

Letter to the editor: Feinberg on Route 2 project

Received March 15

letter

To the Editor:

When I heard that Selectman Peter Braun had published a decidedly negative response in the Squirrel to one of my recent columns, I was sure he was responding to the one I wrote endorsing his opponent, Vin Cannistraro for Selectman in the upcoming election. Everyone can read that one on my blog (Lincoln Blogs the Future) at www.lincoln-ma.com.

[Read more…] about Letter to the editor: Feinberg on Route 2 project

Letter to the editor: Taylor supports Braun

(Received March 14)

letterTo the Editor:

As a former Selectman, I appreciate the challenges in managing Lincoln’s affairs as a volunteer. It is with this perspective that I endorse Peter Braun for reelection. Somewhat ironically, Mr. Braun’s qualifications to be a Selectman are illustrated in two situations for which he has been criticized: the clearing of trees for the Route 2 reconstruction project, and the failed school renovation proposal.

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Letter to the editor: Bassett and Lorenz support Braun

letter

(received March 14)

To the Editor:

We write in support of Peter Braun’s candidacy for reelection to the town of Lincoln’s Board of Selectmen.  Peter has been at the forefront of current town issues, such as the future of Hanscom Air Force Base, the renovation of our K-8 school facilities, and advocacy for neighbors impacted by the Route 2 construction. And as Lincoln continues to experience regional changes that will impact our future, we are fortunate to have his leadership in reaching out to our legislators as well as leaders of neighboring communities. We wish to express our appreciation for his contributions as a Selectman in his first term and encourage others to join us in electing him to a second term.

Sincerely,

Ken Bassett and Mary Helen Lorenz
37 Page Rd.

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic. They may be edited for length, grammar/punctuation, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Selectman candidate profile: Peter Braun

Petr Braun

Peter Braun

Editor’s note: This is being published simultaneously with a profile of candidate Vincent Cannistraro.

By Alice Waugh

When asked about the current state of affairs on various issues facing the town, Selectman Peter Braun is eager to talk, but he says that he acquired much of his knowledge through not talking—by being, as he says, “a good listener to all different viewpoints.”

[Read more…] about Selectman candidate profile: Peter Braun

Selectman candidate profile: Vincent Cannistraro

Vincent Cannistraro

Vincent Cannistraro

Editor’s note: This  is being published simultaneously with a profile of Peter Braun.

By Alice Waugh

For Vincent Cannistraro, how things get decided in town is just as important—maybe more so—than the actual decision.

“I think the town could benefit from a more collaborative approach in the ways we do things sometimes, whether it’s the schools, the Route 2 project or anything,” said Cannistraro, who’s running against incumbent Peter Braun for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen. “I just feel we could do a better job of making people feel heard and being more up front. I’m more about process than about one particular issue.”

[Read more…] about Selectman candidate profile: Vincent Cannistraro