To the editor:

Because there was no opportunity for debate or to discuss issues due to the COVID-19, I would like to address some of what you may have heard but were never given complete information regarding the election for the Board of Health.

My opponent is running on her experience as a clinical nurse with expertise in psychology and mental health, claiming that it is very important that she be on the Board of Health (BOH). She has no experience with the many duties of the BOH such as Transfer Station operation, septic systems, food establishments, housing, animals and farming.

On the other hand, I have experience with all those things. During my time with the BOH, I was tasked with rebuilding the department including hiring the present town nurse which has many years of nursing experience in a hospital environment and has been extremely proficient at dealing with the pandemic and advising the board which is what she should be doing.

I also hired the director who also has been a great resource to the town since his arrival. I could not be happier with these two and the job they have been doing.

I was involved with major acquisitions to the transfer station (new roll-off truck), numerous complicated septic systems, housing and food establishment problems, and all the other day-to-day activities that come before the board. Before I left the BOH we had begun the process of bringing Animal Control under our umbrella so that we could better serve the towns needs in dealing with animals.

I am a firm believer in government for the people by the people and feel that we are already over-regulated.

Let’s bring some common sense back to town. On June 23 please get out and vote for leadership and experience.

Vote Bill Harkins for Board of Health – Honesty, integrity, commitment, transparency, and experience you can count on.

Bill Harkins

Westport