Henry Dane

Henry J. Dane - Candidate for Select Board

Email: Henry4select [at] gmail.com

Website: http://www.henry4select.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Henry4Select

LinkedIn: LINKED-IN PROFILE

Why are you running for office and what can you bring to that office?

I am running for the Select Board to help create and maintain a culture which emphasizes openness, transparency and responsiveness. I bring my knowledge that I have gained from 50 years living and raising our four children in Concord and serving on and leading Concord committees, boards and organizations. All these opportunities to work with hundreds of people will be an asset to the Board and the community as we face the challenges of recovering from Covid-19, hard budget choices, the support of our local businesses, and the management of Town services. Decisions should not be made in isolation or behind closed doors – open government is critical to building trust and consensus. I have the time, ability and passion to commit to bringing the best that I have in order to serve the residents, business owners and taxpayers of Concord.

What in your opinion are the biggest challenges/issues facing the committee that you hope to serve?  I see the most important challenges currently facing the Board as: 

1. Restoring and maintaining a culture which emphasizes open, transparent and responsive government with the Board, the elected executive body of the Town, taking its proper role with regard to policy, supervision and management. Without this foundation, it is difficult to make wise and effective decisions that inspire confidence and have broad support.
2. Working with Town and School officials to continue the process of safely reopening all public and private schools in Concord.
3. Facilitating the reopening of Town Government -many communities are doing this safely and many businesses in town have been open to the public on a limited basis with the full approval of public safety officials.
4. Working with local businesses to bring customers back to our business districts and revive the economic vitality of the Town which for so long has been a distinctive part of our civic identity.
5. Dealing with the financial consequences of the reduction of revenues, primarily from the economic impact of Covid, managing competing needs for capital investment while keeping taxes stable so that living in Concord remains affordable for older residents and those living here with more limited means. Developing plans and ideas for economic survival and sustainability with new approaches to old problems and taking a common sense – practical approach to governing in order to get things done.
6. Working with the other members of the Select Board, I look forward to addressing all these issues and the broader 2020-2021 Select Board Goals for the benefit of the entire Concord community.