Letter: Owen Smith deserves your vote

Excerpted from Daily News of Newburyport (link)

“To the editor:

I am writing in support of Ward 5 council candidate Owen Smith. Owen’s professional background and his extensive knowledge of our city and its needs are impressive. 

Owen’s technical background is in transportation safety oversight in the public sector. This job is not easy or insignificant with its exacting standards and unwavering requirements. Such a capacity demands a keen understanding of engineering, infrastructure and community relations.

These are all important and transferable skills that Owen will bring to his role as a councilor. This is the level of knowledge and experience Newburyport residents deserve.

As a former member of the city’s water and sewer commission, Owen demonstrated his ability to be a solution advocate and a trusted decision-maker. 

He is currently a member of Newburyport’s Livable Streets where he has contributed to the improvement of traffic calming, stormwater management, and walking and biking paths. Both of these roles have provided him with a deep understanding of our city’s challenges and have helped him identify effective use of city resources as well as determine where outside resources may be available.

Owen reflects the future of Newburyport. He understands the value of our schools and their need for continued improvement. As a parent of two young children, he is also committed to our youth population and promotes the development of a youth services center.

Lastly, but equally important, Owen is determined to provide Ward 5 with a level of representation we have not had in a long time. He has demonstrated this during the last few months by holding meetings and knocking on constituent doors to hear our opinions and understand our needs. Owen’s open and honest manner, his background, and his experience will greatly benefit us as Ward 5 residents.

I ask you to join me in voting for Owen Smith as our next Ward 5 city councilor.”

PATRICK REFFETT

Newburyport