Why I am running for Planning Board as a Write-in Candidate

 This letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Robert Bryant Miller- a write-in candidate for the Longmeadow Planning Board. 

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I want to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Robert Bryant Miller, but my family, friends and neighbors know me as Bryant. I am running for the open seat on the Longmeadow Planning Board as a write-in vote. The upcoming annual town election is on June 13th at the Community House, polls are open from 7am-8pm.

Longmeadow runs deep in my family. My wife and I met while working together at the L’amitie, a French restaurant that was in the Longmeadow Shops in the early 80s. Then, in 1996, after having our 2 children, we decided to move to Longmeadow for the school system and community. My wife, Joan, is a nurse at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home while I’ve worked my whole life as a classically trained chef in fine dining restaurants. Now I am retired and have been watching my 2 grandsons full time in what I like to call “Grandpa Daycare” for the past 4 years.

One of my first involvements in town was when I joined the senior abatement program. I was assigned the job of fire hydrant inspection and painting through the water department. After finishing the program, I was actually hired on part time for another season to continue the inspections. I also participated in the Citizen’s Police Academy, learning about the town’s police department and even going for a ride-along. These opportunities opened my eyes to the fragility of our town’s infrastructure and were instrumental to my involvement in the Longmeadow Pipeline Awareness Group. To this day, I am still fighting and educating, for the safety of our town, regarding the redundant and dangerous pipeline proposal.

I believe with my awareness of the town’s current issues and my goal to see this town succeed for future generations; I would be an asset to the planning board. I am more than willing to learn the procedures, rules and regulations of the board and maintain our quality of life here in Longmeadow that all of us have worked so hard for.

I would like to ask all of you to please write in a vote for me, Robert Bryant Miller, for the Longmeadow Planning Board.

With a write in vote, please remember to fill in the circle next to my name as well. 

Bryant Miller

Why I am Running for Re-Election to Longmeadow School Committee

This letter was submitted to LongmeadowBuzz by Nicole Choiniere- a candidate for re-election to the Longmeadow School Committee.

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Ten years ago, I moved to Longmeadow with my husband and our three children because we loved the town’s sense of community, excellent schools, public library programs, and open spaces for walking and biking. When my children were younger, I volunteered with the PTO in the Center School library and became the parent volunteer coordinator. I later spent two years serving on the board of directors for LEEF, volunteering with the committee to raise funds and review grant applications for teacher-directed educational opportunities for our students. In 2020, I was elected to the school committee, where I’ve been serving for three years.

As a history teacher who works in West Springfield, I emphasize the importance of the democratic process and civic engagement – but these values are not merely academic to me. I know from my experience, in previous volunteer positions and my current term on the school committee, that a successful and supportive education system depends upon the knowledge and cooperation of many people. It’s the administrators, teachers, school staff, and families who work to keep academic and emotional growth at the heart of our children’s learning. I am seeking reelection to continue supporting that work, especially at a time when we are in the middle of exciting and important projects, including the middle school building project, curriculum work, initiatives related to our DEIB goals, and other ongoing community projects.

School committee work is intense and multi-faceted, and it is important to rely on the experience and expertise of others. I’ve been so impressed by the people with whom I work every week, and I’m grateful to have been nurtured in my role by so many professional and attentive individuals. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together in my time as a school committee member. My collaboration with such a smart, talented, and dedicated group of people has helped me to acquire meaningful experience and expertise myself. I’ve learned a lot about how the educational system in Longmeadow works, from state and local funding to classroom curriculum, from building initiatives to contract negotiations. It would be my distinct pleasure to continue serving our town and applying what I’ve learned for the sustained improvement of our children’s future.

Nicole Choiniere