WHAT IT MEANS TO WIN

First, I want to thank the voters of Enfield for casting a vote me and my Republican partners. We were overwhelmed with emotion as we learned that the citizens of our great town put their trust in us for the next two years. We will do our best to honor your confidence and trust.

Now, it’s time to get to work!

It is three days after the election and I have taken time to examine what the election results mean. I have gone over and over our campaign promises and writing down things I want to do and things I want to avoid.
When I say “avoid” I am not speaking about running from an issue or staying away for tough decisions. I am talking about avoiding the traps of power that so many times disconnects the elected Official from the people who put us here.

In two years I hope that I will have gained even more trust not just because of my actions, but how I approached each issue and communicated with the citizens who put me here.

Winning means you have been selected to perform on the issues you stated during the campaign. Winning also means that you have a great responsibility and must be a student of everything that affects the people you serve.

Winning does not mean that others with opposing viewpoints lose their voice. Winning does not mean that we get to insist that everything is our way.

A real winner sees the value in everyone’s opinion. A true winner seeks the best answer to the most difficult questions.

As I enter the Board of Education I have heard that all you have to do is count to five which is the majority of the Board. Yes, I know that five is the winning number in voting a measure through, but I would rather count to nine and see the Enfield Schools experience true leadership.

Now, there will be times that issues will be voted on in a partisan way. There will be times when the vote will be split by individuals seeing a different viewpoint then their own party. But, no matter on how the votes fall my goal is to see everyone elected respected for their ideas during the dialog.

There is one thing that we all must control as we seek to serve you, the public. We must control our “pride” and remember it is a humble responsibility to serve in elected office.

As a student of politics I watch pride and arrogance destroy some of the most talented public leaders. We have all watched as a once great leader traded his/her expensive cloths for a yellow jump suit with the initials DOC stenciled on the back.

We that just got elected must remind ourselves that the best titled we can have is “your humble servant.”

So, the work begins.

The voters voiced their feelings in this election loud and clear. You told us that you want change. Not, just subtle change, but sweeping changes.

If I read the election right the greatest message sent to us newly elected Officials is that taxes must be addressed and spending must be examined.

I can assure you we heard your cry for relief and will do all we can to be good stewards over your hard earned money.

On the Board of Education side we have already begun to do a complete examination of spending. This will take some time and our hope is that we will find the savings in educational budget, without negatively affecting the students.

I believe that we can control spending and increase the educational opportunity for your students.
I also believe you elected us to make sure your child is in a safe environment, that they have the technology that meets their needs for the 21st century, and that they are well prepared to excel in adult life.

Last, let me say that we want to have open communication with you the public. We work for you and owe you an attentive ear. If at anytime you feel you need to contact us, please do not hesitate to call or email any Board of Education member or Town Council member.

Once again “Thank You” for giving us a chance to serve you!

Greg Stokes