 Hello, I'm Kathy Shane, and I'm running for the new Amherst Town Council for District 1, which is precincts 1 and 3 in North Amherst. My husband Larry Zacharias and I have lived in North Amherst for over 35 years, raising our two children, Josh and Alex Zacharias, who thrived in the Amherst vibrant community and schools. I'm running for Town Council for North Amherst with a commitment to preserve and enhance the quality of life and community that make Amherst such a special place. Our new Town Council will be responsible for and have extensive power to guide and set town policies that will shape our town for years to come. If elected, I will bring 40 years of experience as an economist with deep knowledge of health insurance and public finance, an ability to listen, collaborate and come up with creative ideas. I want to devote my skills and energy to our town as we confront challenges and budget and change. What do I see as the Council's top priorities at the next three years? First, our schools. The Council will need to work with the school committee to have a plan in place for action with parent buy-in and participation. Second, we need to find ways to finance other high expense needs. Repairing our roads, our fire station, DPW building and the library. The potential costs will mean that we have to give town residents clear information, different choices and about different choices, timing and property tax consequences. Third, the Council must ensure that the development of downtown and our village centers enhances, not threatens our quality of life and community and vitality. How we develop really matters as anyone can see if they go downtown. Look at the wide sidewalks in front of Hastings, Black Sheep and Zana that promote walkable, vibrant downtown and space for visitors we want of it, businesses we want to visit. We know parking is essential. Instead, I'm hearing everywhere gasps and moans as people in local businesses look at new buildings that are going up. Quick development downtown and village centers could broaden the tax space and help protect our spaces, open spaces, but how we would develop matters for the vitality of our town and community life. Across Amherst and particularly in North Amherst, we really need to invest in our sidewalks, fix our streets, get rid of the potholes, have buses that get us to where we want to go, bike paths and safe intersections. Just look at what's in North Amherst. What qualifies me to serve on the town council, I would bring 40 years of experience in public policy and skills to the council, an ability to analyze complex issues and build consensus. For example, I did analysis that helped avoid furloughs at UMass in the early 1990s. For years, I worked on labor management committees on behalf of low wage workers to save health insurance and support living wages, working in labor management committees that were often controversial. My study documenting people who had insurance but couldn't afford to pay their bills brought national attention to the underinsured and momentum for reform. To tackle health care costs, early on I led a team that had a blueprint and a vision for Congress that would have built on Medicare and expanded it to bring cost control for all of us. We know with 20% increases in the town of Amherst schools and library, this agenda, the unfinished work of health insurance, cost rises will need broader action than just in our town. We need action at the state level. Having recently retired from more than full-time work, I have the time, energy and the skills to be on the council representing North Amherst. We love Amherst. We've long benefited from Amherst. If elected in District 1, I will listen closely and work hard to enhance the quality of life and diversity that make Amherst a special place. I commit to being a strong voice for North Amherst needs and aspirations for all of Amherst. This is a vitally important election. Your vote on number 6 will elect a town council with oversight for our budget and broad authority for planning and zoning laws that will guide development. With the support of voters from North Amherst District 1, I hope to have the opportunity to serve and build a positive foundation for our future. I thank you for listening and please let me know your thoughts and concerns. You can reach me at KathySAmherst at gmail.com. Thank you for listening.