In response to the June 25 “My Turn” by one of the Democrats running for the Executive Council in District 2, I find it almost laughable that I would be accused of being a rubber stamp for any politician if I were elected to the council.
Anyone familiar with my background knows that while a physician leader at the VA, I was a fiercely independent voice for reform. When faced with corruption that endangered veterans’ lives, I held the leadership accountable without regard for the career consequences. My efforts brought $35 million in sorely needed new funding for veterans’ programs.
While I won’t be anyone’s rubber stamp I do promise to give a fair hearing to any nomination that comes before me. It’s too bad the Democrats can’t credibly make a similar claim.
The real news story from the council isn’t that Andru Volinsky sandbagged the last two nominations who were Black, but that he would have been completely unsuccessful if he didn’t have the cooperation of the other two Democratic councilors. It is for this reason that I feel the council needs its integrity restored. It can’t happen if the Democrats hold the majority.
The issues in the upcoming term will be of enormous importance – racial justice, COVID-19, the economy, and others. Given the dismal performance of the Democrats on the council, who would you trust to guide us through these difficult times?
STEWART LEVENSON
Hopkinton
(The writer is a candidate for Executive Council in District 2.)