LETTER: Vispoli Is The Right Choice For State Senate

To the Editor:

I am writing to enthusiastically encourage support for Alex Vispoli’s campaign for State Senate.  I have worked closely with Alex during the past 4.5 years while I have served on the Andover School Committee.

Together Alex and I initiated the effort to consolidate Andover’s four technology organizations and create a Chief Information Officer position out of existing funds that has resulted in a clear vision and strategy to achieve both operational and educational advancements.  We persisted through a two year process with many road blocks and objections.  Eventually, the logic prevailed, the consolidation of both town and school technology departments began.  This spring, Town Meeting with unanimous support of the Board of Selectman, Finance Committee and School Committee voted to use dollars from the Cable Access Fund to pay for long needed technology infrastructure improvements with zero impact on the tax base.  This consolidation and tax neutral method of funding is unique in Massachusetts communities and will serve as a model for collaboration between town and school organizations. 

As Chairs of our respective Committees we worked together to improve communication, collaboration and budget transparency leading to the resolution of overwhelming budget deficits particularly during the initial years of the recession.  Through that process Alex has always proven to be goal driven and strove to reduce costs where possible. 

Alex is the father of an Andover student, understands the need for strong schools and the school’s positive impact upon property values.   Alex supported the replacement of Bancroft School now under construction and I believe in the Senate will be a strong advocate for education.

With his business and government experience at both local and state levels I strongly believe that Alex will be an effective voice in the State Senate.  I respectively ask you to support Alex’s campaign for State Senate with your vote in the Republican Primary on Thursday, September 6th.

Dennis Forgue

Andover