I am writing in response to the June 9-10 article about write-in candidates for the state Senate seat vacated by Stan Rosenberg, and why I am supporting Jo Comerford (“Some question motives of write-in candidates for state Senate seat”).
I have known Comerford as a fellow parent at my children’s elementary school — Jackson Street School — for the past six years. I have witnessed her dropping her kids off in the morning — not forgetting to kiss them goodbye — and then finding out at the end of the day that she’d been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
When Jackson Street School needed a new playground, she never missed a meeting, was on the phone with the head of the playground committee daily, and pushed the community to make sure we incorporated equipment for bodies of all abilities — limited and unlimited — all the while working tirelessly to secure then-President Barack Obama’s Iran deal. Now, she is president of the PTO and running for Senate.
To those who complain about another candidate sending her children to charter schools, I say, “That is a personal matter every parent needs to decide for herself. That should not be held against her.” That being said, I hold my representatives to higher standards than I do my friends.
As a parent of children in the public school system, and as an involved citizen, I want a fierce ideological advocate, a champion, for our public schools. For this constituent, that’s my primary issue.
For Comerford, even though her deep commitment to the public schools is illustrated by her unusually high level of personal service, it’s one of many issues, including health care, the environment, gun safety, infrastructure, tax policy and fairness. I have no doubt that she will tackle them all.
Jo Comerford is unstoppable, unflappable, indefatigable. She is the Bruce Springsteen of politics — she doesn’t seem to need the normal amounts of sleep and down time mere mortals need. The woman has nerves of steel.
She is unwavering in her commitment to her beliefs, and she has more integrity than any human I have ever met. I would not be surprised to learn that in 10 years she’s sitting in a congressional or Senate seat in Washington.
How can we turn down this opportunity to accept Comerford’s offer to serve us? A candidate like her only comes along once in a lifetime.
Nerissa Nields
Northampton