Honoring Experience While Moving Forward
As Town Supervisor for the Town of Marion, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the unique blend of history, dedication, and perspective that long-serving board members bring to our community. Their service has shaped the Marion we know today, and their institutional knowledge is invaluable as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The Strength of Experience in Marion’s Leadership
Our veteran board members have lived through the town’s most defining moments—economic shifts, community growth, budget challenges, and decades of projects that have built our infrastructure and character. They know not just what decisions were made in the past, but why they were made. That context helps ground our discussions and ensures we don’t lose sight of our roots as we plan for Marion’s future. Their commitment also demonstrates something important: public service is not just a position, but a responsibility carried with pride. That example matters.
Modern Challenges Require Modern Approaches
While experience provides wisdom, the world around us is changing faster than ever. Town operations, resident expectations, technology, compliance requirements, and best-practice standards have evolved significantly. What worked in years past may no longer be the most effective or efficient solution today.
A simple but meaningful example is our effort to reduce unnecessary paper printing for bi-weekly board meetings. For years, each meeting involved dozens—sometimes hundreds—of pages printed for every member, even when the information was already available digitally. To modernize this process, I would suggest several updates:
Digital meeting packets made available in advance so members can review materials on laptops or tablets.
Shared digital folders where resolutions, reports, and supporting documents are stored in one organized place.
On-screen displays during meetings, allowing the public and the board to view documents together without requiring stacks of printed copies.
Print-on-request options, so members who prefer paper can still receive it, but we avoid blanket printing for everyone.
These steps reduce waste, save taxpayer dollars, streamline preparation time for staff, and reflect the sustainable direction many towns have already embraced. Yet they also require a willingness to adapt—a shift that can feel uncomfortable to those accustomed to traditional paper packets.
Respecting the Past, Embracing the Future
I believe strongly that respect and progress can coexist. In fact, they must. Respecting our experienced board members means acknowledging their contributions and valuing their viewpoints. At the same time, embracing innovation means recognizing when new ideas or updated systems will better serve our residents.
The healthiest boards—and the strongest communities—are those where:
Every member is heard.
Tradition informs decision-making, but does not limit it.
Conversations remain professional and forward-focused.
The mission of serving Marion comes before personal comfort or resistance to change.
A Unified Path Forward for Marion
My goal as Supervisor is not to replace the old with the new, but to build a bridge between them. Modernizing our operations honors our history by ensuring we are prepared for the future. It reflects our commitment to the next generation of leaders, residents, and families who will call Marion home.
Progress is not a threat to experience—it is its natural evolution.
Together, by blending the wisdom of long-serving members with the initiative of newer voices, we can continue moving Marion forward with steady, thoughtful, and respectful leadership.
