Lobel an excellent addition to board

I am writing in support of Josh Lobel as a candidate for School Committee.

I have had the pleasure of working with Josh on several recent town-wide campaigns and as fellow member of Town Meeting. Based on those experiences, I think Josh would make an excellent addition to the committee.

Josh has actively immersed himself in various aspects of the Arlington educational community in recent years. He has attended nearly every School Committee meeting in the past year, generating thorough, objective, informative notes, which he made available to anyone participating in the Think of Our Kids listserve. He will require very little “start-up” time to become an active participant on the committee.

He has also served a parent representative on various committees at the Bishop and Ottoson schools. During the override campaign, Josh’s sophisticated computer skills made it possible to communicate with more voters than in any previous election and helped us to alert the community to the economic challenges faced by our schools.

Josh is tireless and exceptionally responsible. I can recall innumerable computer lists he cheerfully generated in the wee hours of the morning because he promised he would have them done. Moreover, although he always seems ready to volunteer, he never needs to be on the limelight. Josh apparently views volunteering as part of his civic duty, not as an opportunity to grab recognition.

Above all, I have found in working with Josh on committees that he is always ready to listen. He will gather information and hear others’ opinions rather than rushing to judgment or soliciting for his own position. His open and receptive personality style will be particularly important in the future months as the School Committee faces some very challenging decisions and challenges.

I trust that Josh will approach each decision with the diligence, independence and constructive contributions I have seen him display on previous committees. I urge voters to case one of their votes for Josh Lobel on Election Day.

Joan Axelrod Lehrich
Everett Street