I will be casting my vote for Amanda Como again this year. I believe if more residents exercise their right to vote, she will be our next councilwoman in Ward 1.

I’m not sure residents in our ward are aware of just how close she came to winning the last election. Amanda received 44 percent of the vote in a year where only 31 percent of the town participated in the election process. Based on what I’m hearing from Ward 1 friends and neighbors, they’re still looking for a voice to represent them. I think they’ll get that if they return their ballots or get out to polling locations on November 8 and vote for Amanda Como.

As I wrote last year, it’s important our town council represents the values of its residents and the priorities of the community. Far too often, we’re seeing the mayor and town council majority push through their agenda despite constituent opposition.

Why must the public comments be where we hear the most resistance? Those opinions should already be expressed by our chosen councilpersons. By electing a Ward 1 representative that champions these residents, the voices of concerned friends or neighbors don’t have to be in the form of activists fighting against a presumed policy outcome, but rather in the form of our council member’s vote.

For the seven years that I’ve known Amanda, I’ve gotten to know someone who puts family and the community first. She is also an advocate, harbinger and thoughtful leader that has volunteered her time consistently here in Westfield for over a decade. She is a public servant through and through.

Amanda is a highly skilled communicator who is not only an incredible listener, but one that does not shy away from debate as she takes a no-nonsense approach to find common ground and to overcome barriers. Her logic in solving problems is practical and based not on ideological platforms, but on common sense to achieve pragmatic solutions. She believes that it’s not only what we accomplish, but how we accomplish it.

It’s time we give Amanda this opportunity to step into a new public service role. One that allows her to represent the values of our community while applying her relentless drive and communication skills to achieve positive results for Westfield.

Please fill out your mail in ballot if you received one or get to the polls on November 8 and join me in voting for Amanda Como to be our next Ward 1 Councilwoman!