Submitted by Laura Erickson, candidate for First Selectperson
As part of my campaign preparation, I read the oral history of Ruth Sims, a Democrat, and the first woman elected first selectman in 1977. The interviewer asks Ruth Sims if she prefers to be called first selectwoman or first selectperson. Sims replies, “Well, the charter calls it the office of the first selectman so that’s what I used.” It’s 2023 and three women have been elected to this office. Ruth Sims served two terms and was succeeded by Rebecca Breed, a Republican, who served one term (she served a second term as selectman). In 2001, Lolly Prince, also a Republican, was elected and served one term.

I’m on the ballot as first selectman because that’s what the Town Charter still says. Ruth Sims won as a Democrat in 1977 when the town’s voter affiliation was overwhelming Republican per her New York Times obituary. Today the voters have shifted: 39 percent are Unaffiliated, 30 percent are Democrats, 29 percent are Republican and 2 percent are other. Republicans should not be handed this election. Voters need to educate themselves and vote for leadership that represents the values of the community up and down the ballot, including the RTM…