To the editor:

I have always felt that it is important to run as something, and for something. It was why I chose to run as a Democrat. That distinction made clear to voters the set of values that would guide me when it came time to make decisions. It also indicated that I was committed to Democratic good governance. What is good governance as it relates to Democratic values?

Good governance is governmental transparency. It is making decisions and explaining those decisions in public and not behind closed doors. It is accountability for our actions, adherence to the law, and transparency in how decisions are made. Good governance is providing clear explanations for why something is being done, and in my opinion, that is something this Council has never shied away from.

Moving money around the budget, for example. The Council made those decisions based on its understanding of the authority provided by our Town Charter and the need to meet our obligations for utilities, union contracts, and pension contributions. And in the interest of full disclosure, I believe our town employees should be paid fairly and not have their salaries cut. Democrats believe in fair pay. Town employees are also entitled to cost-of-living increases, just like anyone else who has a job. And that is what they received last budget season: 3 percent. All of this was discussed openly in our Council meetings and was available in the town budget for anyone to see.

Good governance is also rarely flashy or exciting. It is often slow, and moving projects forward can be difficult, with constant hiccups and setbacks. It is approving bids and ordinances and caring just as much about rainbow crosswalks as we do about field lighting and termites during building renovation and refuse and recycling systems. It is spending hours, days, and months with a budget, making sure you have left no line item unquestioned or misunderstood. It is answering emails about dogs off-leash and snow removal and recycling Styrofoam.

Good governance is a commitment to the town and the people you ran to serve. It is making time and having conversations at Shaw’s, in the school pick-up line, or at a soccer game. It is sometimes missing bedtimes, family dinners, and time with friends so that you can fully commit yourself to the town that you deeply care about. It is attending meeting after meeting, where I welcome and appreciate differing points of view and respectful discourse, even when I am disappointed that disagreements sometimes become personal attacks. It is sometimes getting it wrong, admitting that, and actively making changes to do and be better.

I ran two years ago because I believe the best way to do good in my community is to be involved, often to (I am sure) the annoyance of my family and friends, whom I encourage weekly to attend meetings or join a board or commission. I am a person, I am a neighbor, I am a wife, I am a parent, I am an archivist, I am a town councilor, and I ran as and remain a proud Democrat. I am clear about who I am and what I stand for and emulate that every day in how I serve this community. This election season, I encourage you all to think about the values you consider important in an elected official and, most importantly, use your voice to vote.

Jordan Jancosek 

Barrington

This letter is submitted in the opinion of myself and does not reflect the opinions of my fellow councilors.