As election day approaches, many are ready for new leadership. I am ready for leaders who listen and don’t lecture. Many are tired of being told what to think vs. being asked what we think.
I recognize this skill in John Chaimanis, candidate for At-Large City Councilor from Ward 4. I have found John to be a great critical thinker and someone who asks questions to seek to understand. That is always a quality of a good listener. And we could use more listening and less lecturing from our leaders.
Other traits that John has demonstrated are grace, class, character, and resilience under pressure, giving me confidence that he will work cooperatively and productively with all his colleagues on the City Council regardless of where they stand on specific issues.
Talk is cheap, especially during political campaigns, and it is wise to look to how a candidate conducts themselves as well as their life work and achievement as a measure of what we will get if they are elected. Towards that end, I encourage people to look at John’s website to learn more about him and his priorities. One section enlightening is titled Making Good Things Happen, where he highlights four initiatives that he has been contributing towards already as a private citizen, demonstrating a real commitment to Newton. In that section, John writes”
“Newton is asking for reasonable leaders that want the best for everyone and also ask hard questions about how to make that happen. My life of service, entrepreneurship, and parenthood have prepared me for this role. This is a competitive race, and YOUR VOTE REALLY COUNTS. I’ve already started working on initiatives where I can make a difference right now.”
Please join me in supporting John Chaimanis, who will listen, not lecture.
MaryLee Belleville
Newton Centre
