Four weeks ago, I entered the race for the open at-large seat on the Brunswick Town Council.

As a working dad who will soon have two children entering our school system, I think it’s important to serve and give back to the community that will shape their lives. I’m running to bring your voices to the council and face our town’s many challenges head on.

Since this campaign began, I’ve been going door-to-door in all seven council districts. I want to thank each of you who shared your stories with me, showed me around your neighborhoods and let me know what you want the next council to do.

The two biggest concerns I’ve heard so far are closely related: The future of our schools and the lack of affordable housing, whether that means rising property taxes, rent increases or simply middle-and- working-class homebuyers being priced out of our town.

These are concerns that I share.

I spoke with anxious parents who decided to stay here or who moved here because they trust Brunswick teachers to educate their children and send them into the world as well-rounded critical thinkers able to meet the challenges of our times.

I also spoke with working families and seniors on fixed incomes who told me they are getting closer and closer to being unable to afford to stay in their homes unless something changes.

There has long been a temptation in Brunswick to pit these two groups against one another, but I reject that false choice. Every last person I’ve spoken with so far cares about what happens to their neighbors, because that’s the kind of town we are.

On property taxes, we can neither wait for help from Augusta, nor can we focus on spending alone. We need to look at what other cities and towns have done to provide direct property tax relief to people who are struggling. I have already reached out to people in places like Yarmouth and Saco to see whether their efforts are helping.

We also need to be more proactive about growing the tax base. That requires working closely with developers and the business community to improve places like Cook’s Corner and reduce the vacancy rate. It means continuing to welcome opportunities at Brunswick Landing and encouraging entrepreneurs who want to start their own business. And yes, it also means protecting the quality of our education, our green spaces and our infrastructure from the kind of decay that pushes potential new residents away.

I’ve spent the past five years working as a legislative aide for the Maine House Democrats, including two of our Brunswick representatives, Mattie Daughtry and Jay McCreight. Through that work, I’ve come to understand in depth both the healthy connections and also the tensions between state government and our own local government. That’s a strength that can help the council do better work next year.

As your councilor, I will always be accessible and will respond quickly to any phone calls or emails. Additionally, I will do my best to communicate to the public what will come before the council ahead of time and then report on what happened afterward to keep you in the loop and prevent big decisions from being made behind your backs.

As a former member of the Recreation and the Rivers and Coastal Waters Commissions, I never missed a meeting in the five years I served. That’s the level of commitment you can expect from me should I be elected.

If you want to share your ideas, ask questions about anything at the town or state level, know where I stand on any issue, or even if you just want to complain, you are always welcome to call me at (207) 756-3793 or e-mail me at [email protected].

I am asking for your vote on Nov. 6 so that, together, we can build a better Brunswick.