While serving in Vietnam as a Sergeant in the US Army, I learned valuable lessons about character and leadership. I learned the importance of integrity. hard work under pressure, commitment to accomplishing the mission, and the importance of empathy. I saw that the most effective and respected officers were those that understood and felt the needs of the enlisted men who did much of the grunt work, and who didn’t benefit from the privileges of officer status. And I also saw the importance of experience, how soldiers’ effectiveness improved dramatically with time “in country”.
I apply these same lessons when I assess political candidates. And that is why I am voting for Michelle Badger. Badger has worked tirelessly to meet the voters at their homes, personally knocking on thousands of doors to hear what the people of Plymouth’s 1st District feel and need. She has faced the voters and presented her policy positions in town forums, answering tough questions thoughtfully, respectfully and honestly. And her experience in serving the citizens of Plymouth is second to none, having served on multiple town committees, including as current chair of the School Committee.
Having studied her policy positions, I am impressed by her goals to improve education and expand training opportunities for those in their late twenties and beyond. She has set out ambitious but realistic objectives to make Plymouth housing more affordable, to protect the environment, to increase the compensation for first responders and to expand benefits for Veterans like me. And she has taken bold stands to improve opportunities for disadvantaged groups living in Plymouth.
But my alignment with her policies is secondary. I am most deeply impressed by her character, leadership and experience, which is why this Veteran is supporting Michelle Badger to become the next state representative for Plymouth’s 1stDistrict. I am confident she will be an outstanding representative for all Plymouth residents.
– Peter Matlon