The following letters of support for Moe have been published:
| Michael Goulde | Handel Finds Solutions that Work for Everyone |
| Michael Deiner | Creative Ideas and Consensus-Building |
| Don Gratz | Handel and Bulian both Strong Candidates |
| Ronald W. Ruth | Enthusiastic Support from a Fellow Community Leader |
| Maura Walsh | Experience Counts! |
| Edward Cosgrove | Uniquely Skilled Leader |
| David & Laura Blackburn | A Man of Integrity |
| Bob & Susanne Smart | Where's Moe? |
| Bill & Kathleen Tilburg | Handel's involvement makes him strong candidate |
| James Hugh Powers | Handel's experience needed to revitalize town |
| Kim Marie Nicols & Cliff Hayden | Handel and Bulian demonstrated outstanding commitment |
| Harmony Wu | Handel cares about young families |
| Michael and Gloria Greis | Handel is a leader |
| John Buehrens | Handel helps engender change |
Handel Finds Solutions that Work for Everyone
I have lived in Needham for twenty-three years, raising a son, seeing him graduate from Needham High, and now enjoying an active retirement. As a result, I understand the varying, and often conflicting, priorities that are held by Needham citizens. What our town needs are Selectmen who can manage priorities, bring people together and find solutions that work for everyone. Maurice (Moe) Handel is just such a candidate and that is why he has my wholehearted support in this election.
Needham faces many challenges in the coming years. Status quo isn't acceptable. We must prepare for the future and continue to make Needham a better community for all its residents. Meeting these challenges will require leadership, vision, intellect, and experience. Moe Handel possesses all of these qualities, as well as the ability and confidence to find solutions where none seem to exist. I encourage every Needham citizen to exercise their right to vote on April 14th, and when they do, to vote for Moe Handel for Needham Selectman.
Michael Goulde
Central Avenue
Creative Ideas and Consensus-Building
On April 14, we will elect two people to the Board of Selectmen. Moe Handel would bring a combination of years of service and dedication to Needham, with a track record of fresh and creative ideas and solutions.
While Moe has been involved in town government and community service for many years, he is probably best known recently for his work with the Needham Historical Society and for the Town Hall project, both of which showed his creative and long-term thinking.
Moe developed and led an effort to save and combine two historical buildings for use by the Historical Society. The project was funded by selling the previously used house with historical covenants to preserve it. The new historical society building is more spacious and user-friendly, and the society is on better financial footing.
The idea of restoring the Great Hall at Town Hall has been known around town as Moe's project for years. I spoke about this project with him several times starting years ago at Exchange Club (where we first met). He said then that we should decide what we, as a town, want and then see if we can make it work, rather than giving up on our ideals before we've even tried. Moe impressed me as forward-thinking, hard-working, tenacious, and optimistic.
Moe built support the right way. He talked to people, created presentations he showed to individuals and groups, developed financing projections, and inspired others to get involved. He led an effort at town meeting to establish a town hall study committee to keep the idea alive despite opposition of major town boards. Because of the time Moe bought, a new plan was developed and a broader consensus forged for the current Town Hall project.
This is how citizen involvement should work - with effort, persuasion, and consensus-building.
Moe has the strong support of his fellow members of the Planning Board, who represent different perspectives. This shows he can work well within a committee of diverse viewpoints as he would need to do on the Board of Selectmen.
While I would like to see John Bulian re-elected to the board, I urge my fellow citizens to also cast a vote for Moe Handel on Tuesday, April 14.
Michael Diener
Kenney Street
Handel and Bulian both Strong Candidates
Needham is fortunate to have several intelligent, experienced and thoughtful candidates for selectman this year. While each has impressive credentials, I am writing on behalf of the two candidates whose years and breadth of experience have earned my support. After 10 years on the School Committee, I'm particularly interested in public education, and I'm pleased to endorse Moe Handel and John Bulian for their support of the schools, their intelligent approach to leadership, their willingness to listen and hear all points of view, and their ability to work with others to do what's best for everyone.
A strong school supporter, Moe Handel has been a fixture in Needham civic life for many years, having served on numerous town and non-profit boards. He often emerges as leader, as he has both the passion and skill to succeed in a leadership role. Moe led the effort to relocate the old schoolhouse to its current location at Newman, where it now enhances education for many Needham children. He also launched and steered the decision to restore the auditorium hidden above the second floor of Town Hall. While there were many skeptics and issues to be addressed on this latter issue, I was especially impressed that even as a strong advocate for restoration, Moe was also able to engineer a compromise. He recognized the legitimate arguments on all sides, and promoted a resolution that satisfied all parties. That is real leadership.
John Bulian has earned my endorsement with his extensive work as a selectman, his unflagging support of public education even before his election, his creative approach to solving problems, and the depth and breadth of his connection into the community. Contrary to remarks made in last week's Times by Ms. Horrigan, I have worked closely with John on many education-related issues and know him to be a creative planner, a thoughtful listener, and a dedicated supporter of public education. John is easy to work with because he can see the different sides of issues and works collaboratively to develop solutions that best serve everyone's needs. John has been a leader during his first two terms, and I look forward to his service on the board for many years to come.
Please join me in supporting these two strong candidates for Board of Selectmen.
Don Gratz
Central Avenue
Enthusiastic Support from a Fellow Community Leader
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for Moe Handel's candidacy for Selectman. Moe has been long been an active member of the Needham Community. He is unique in his vision and his energy on behalf of the Town. He was involved in the initial planning for the extremely successful parking lot behind CVS and the Art Emporium as well as the preservation of the Needham Historical Society's school house adjacent to Newman School and the effort to preserve and restore the Great Hall in Town Hall.
Moe works towards consensus at all times, listens to others and incorporates the ideas of others in a constructive and fruitful manner. He will be a active member of the Selectman yearning to develop consensus among the selectmen and other interested boards and parties in town.
I have been honored to serve with him on the Planning Board and in various other capacities on behalf of the town. I enthusiastically ask that you join with me in supporting his candidacy for the Board of Selectmen.
Ronald W. Ruth
Experience Counts!
I am voting for Moe Handel for Selectman on April 14, and I urge you all to do the same.
Moe's dedication to Needham is clear from his many years of volunteer and government service. He has been a member of Town Meeting since 1995. He also continues to play an important role in the town's economic development, serving as an elected member of the Planning Board (since 1996) and as an appointee to the Economic Development Advisory Committee, Downtown Study Committee, and the Council of Economic Advisors, among others.
He also finds the time for community service, as a member and past President of the Exchange Club, board member and past President of the Needham Historical Society, board member and volunteer for Needham Cares, co-founder of Citizens for the Preservation of Town Hall, and the list goes on. You can find much more information about Moe's service and about his vision for Needham at his website, www.moehandel.com.
Experience counts! Needham will be facing very serious economic challenges in the next few years. We need to elect selectmen who have a good working knowledge of our town and government, who know the issues, and who are ready to tackle the problems. That is why I am voting for Moe Handel, and hope you will join me.
Maura Walsh 8 Fairfax Road
Uniquely Skilled Leader
I am endorsing Maurice "Moe" Handel for Selectman in the upcoming Town election, because I believe that Needham needs Moe's unique skill set. While there are many issues that the Town of Needham needs to grapple with at any given time, I feel that one of the most important is planning for future growth in a deliberate and rational manner. Moe is qualified for this role, not only because of his training and experience in the larger world, but because he has shown that he is capable of planning for future growth and development in the past - right here in Needham. Moe has served for many years on the Planning Board where he has been a leader on many projects. One in particular stands out - the redevelopment of the Chestnut Street Parking Area behind the stores fronting Great Plain Avenue. What is now a well planned, organized and efficient lot was at one time a series of small parcels owned by a variety of interests - ugly as well as inefficient. By working with all of the owners and initiating a land swap, the town ended up with what we see today. In addition to project, this Moe was instrumental in developing the Historical Society complex at the Newman School and in the process saving two historical buildings at no cost to the town. Furthermore, Moe has been one of the prime movers in planning the renovation of the Town Hall into a useful building while restoring the original Great Hall for multiple uses including educational, civic and cultural.
I believe that Moe can get things done "without moving any air" e.g. creating animosities and havoc. This is a unique skill and we need that ability more than ever at this time.
Edward Cosgrove
17 Laurel Drive
A Man of Integrity
Like so many people we have met, we moved to Needham (in our case from Boston) because we wanted to raise out family in a community that valued education, civic engagement and responsible governance. We could not be more pleased with our decision and feel enormous gratitude for being able to live here.
We live in a neighborhood where there are as many families raising young children as there are families who have lived here for 20 or 30 years and have seen their children set out on their own lives. This is a unique and valuable mix and this continuity from one generation to the next is just one of the many aspects of Needham that contributes to its being a wonderful place to live.
The election for Selectman, therefore, is a very important one and one that we want to take very seriously. In deciding who to vote for, we of course want to take into account the candidates' stand on the issues and their experience and how that will enable him or her to perform the role of ensuring that Needham maintains the values and priorities that had us move here in the first place.
We are voting for Moe Handel for Selectman not just because we believe he is well-qualified and shares our values and priorities but more importantly because of the integrity with which he has run his campaign and the respect that he has shown both to his campaign volunteers as well as to the other candidates with whom he is competing. It is his integrity of character and his ability to bring consensus that will allow him to perform this critical role of Selectman in Needham at a time when our current economic climate will demand it the most.
David and Laura Blackburn
Barbara Rd
Where's Moe?
Maurice "Moe" Handel is running for Selectman. Stories about where Moe has been in town, and what he has done, are the best predictor of what kind of Selectman he'll be. Borrowing from "Where's Waldo?":
Where's Moe? He's on Central Avenue, supervising the move of the town's historic red schoolhouse to the front lawn of the Newman School, where it serves as the current home of the Needham Historical Society. Moe was President of the Society, and made this move happen, down to working with NSTAR to make sure the schoolhouse didn't get tangled in any overhead electrical lines.
Where's Moe? He's giving a presentation on his laptop, to anyone who will view it, to show how the town could renovate the Town Hall, save the Great Hall on the top floor, while constructing excellent working space for the town hall departments. When Moe started, his proposal was opposed by the Town Manager, the entire Board of Selectmen, and most of the Finance Committee. Over 3 years later, the Selectmen voted unanimously to support what is, in substance, Moe's proposal, and the project funding will be voted on at the annual Town Meeting in May.
Where's Moe? It's cold, it's 8:00 a.m., and Moe's at the corner of Kendrick and Hunting, viewing the traffic and meeting with two opponents of the Planning Board's proposal to re-zone the New England Business Center. When Moe gets involved, he doesn't just talk with people who agree with him, he seeks out people whose views differ, so he can learn and come up with a better solution.
Where's Moe? He's at Claxton Field, working with the Exchange Club to install new play equipment at the tot lot.
Where's Moe? He's presiding over one of dozens of meetings, as Chairman of the Planning Board, President of the Exchange Club, Vice President of the Needham Heights Neighborhood Association, or President of the Needham Historical Society.
Where's Moe? He's in our garage, with his tool kit, helping Bob to fix his bike. In addition to his other qualities, Moe knows how to fix things.
Where should you be? Like us, in the voting booth, casting your ballot for Moe Handel on April 14th.
Bob and Susanne Smart
Handel's involvement makes him strong candidate
In the April 14 contest for selectman, we will be voting for Moe Handel. Moe and his wife, Elizabeth, have lived in Needham for 22 years. Their three children were raised here and attended the Needham Schools. Moe is very familiar with the issues and challenges that face our town. In addition, he has a long record of community involvement. That record includes, but is not limited to: member and past president of the Planning Board since 1996; Town Meeting member since 1995; member and past president of both the Historical Society and the Exchange Club; and member of the Economic Development Committee and the Council of Economic Advisors. Please, go to www.moehandel.com for a complete list of Moe's accomplishments.
In addition to experience, Moe possesses several qualities that make him an extremely effective leader. First among these is his ability to solve problems. He is a creative thinker, tenacious in seeking solutions, and a great alliance builder. One example of this is the effort he spearheaded to relocate the old schoolhouse to the Newman School. Due to Moe's leadership, our community now has this little gem available for public functions, and as a unique classroom for our children. He is tremendously energetic and passionate about service to others. Finally, he's not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty. Last year, he traveled to Mississippi with Needham Cares to help rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. While there, he painted, installed cabinets and did landscaping. We believe Moe is the ideal person to fill the role of selectman. Please vote for Moe on April 14.
Bill and Kathleen Tilburg
Sterling Road
Handel's experience needed to revitalize town
As our 2009 Annual Town Election nears, Needham voters are fortunate in having a choice of four able contenders for two seats on our Board of Selectmen. We are all indebted to them for volunteering to take on that task at a time when Needham faces critical challenges.
Two huge gaps have been left on the board by the departures of Jack Cogswell last year, and Jim Healy, who does not seek re-election now. Their valued contributions will be sorely missed. We, the people of Needham, are the town of Needham, and it is our responsibility to show up at the polls on Election Day. True "townies" are not AWOL.
On this score, I urge my fellow voters to give one of their two selectmanic votes to Mr. Maurice "Moe" Handel. He has served for many years as a Town Meeting member and as a member of the Planning Board and will strengthen the board as it faces the challenges ahead.
His experience is particularly needed as the town seeks to reverse the decline of its business districts and to revitalize its economy, on which our town revenues and quality of life so depend. In the tough competition from development in neighboring communities and the Wal-Marts of this world, we have no refuge in Main Street myopia or public works projects kicked down the corridors of time. We cannot afford a dysfunctional approach. A close cooperation between our town government and our business community is essential to our survival.
Most of all, Mr. Handel is fully committed to the proposition that government in our democracy must be decent, prudent, disciplined, faithful to our constitutional heritage and able to hear the cries of the damned. He understands that priorities must be set, that there are no free sandwiches and that government, being human, is not perfect, but he also understands that voters have the right to expect those serving them to strive to keep the faith. He gets my vote.
James Hugh Powers
Nehoiden Street
Handel and Bulian demonstrated outstanding commitment
We are enthusiastically supporting Maurice "Moe" Handel and John Bulian in their Selectmen campaigns!
Moe and John have demonstrated outstanding commitment to all members of our community, from the students in our exceptional schools, to parents who value all that our town has to offer, and to the older residents who need better services. They have both served on numerous appointed and elected boards and committees. Most notably, John has been a Selectman for six years, and Moe is the longest serving Planning Board member.
They are visionaries who have been involved with the successful completion of many large projects. John led campaigns for the renovations of the Eliot and Broadmeadow schools, and Moe was a leader in the relocation of the Needham Historical Society. They are dedicated to working on Needham's long-term future needs, including the renovation of Town Hall, the development of a new Senior Center and the challenges presented by aging school buildings.
Needham is fortunate to have such highly qualified and dedicated candidates for Selectmen. We urge you to vote for Moe Handel and John Bulian on April 14.
Kim Marie Nicols and Cliff Hayden
Crescent Road
Handel cares about young families
I have been seeing a lot of letters in this space talking about which selectmen candidates best serve the needs of young families. As a mother of two kindergarteners in Broadmeadow School, I'd like to join with the young families writing in and declare my support for Maurice "Moe" Handel for Selectman.
I volunteered for Moe's campaign because I have seen how he cares about all of the "groups" in Needham. He knows that every constituency, whether young families or senior citizens, has a stake in the future of our town, and that in turn, Needham has a stake in all of us. Moe will not promise to only represent "young families" any more than he would promise to only serve only "senior citizens." Rather, he is seeking to be Selectman for all of Needham.
His uncommon, unparalleled experience combined with his track record of guiding "impossible" projects to excellent solutions (for example, the Little Red Schoolhouse and the Great Hall) illustrates that by putting Needham's common future first, everybody is best served-young and old, native or newcomer alike.
I've only lived in Needham since 2005, but I have invested in this community as much as many long-time residents. I think Moe represents the kind of leadership and wisdom we need. I'm going to be visiting out-of-state family on Election Day, but I'm heading to Needham Town Hall today to apply for my absentee ballot so I can vote for Moe.
Harmony Wu
Fairfield Street
Handel is a leader
We are writing to voice our enthusiastic support for electing Moe Handel to the Board of Selectmen.
Why do we support Moe? Because time and again, we have seen him create a vision that would make our community better when others saw only problems and unsatisfactory compromises. And each time, he stepped up with energy, commitment and a positive attitude, bringing people together and helping them see that even with limited resources a truly good solution is within our reach.
We are fortunate to be part of many town boards, committees and community organizations. We enjoy working with the many other volunteers who make Needham such a special community. It is through those activities that we have come to know and value what Moe does. We'll mention only a few. He revitalized the Needham Heights Neighborhood Association as an effective neighborhood advocacy group. Because of his leadership on the development of its new facility, the Needham Historical Society is able to offer an expanded range of programs to the community and the schools. And most recently, Moe co-founded the Citizens for the Preservation of Town Hall, whose efforts led to the adoption of a renovation plan that successfully combines historic preservation and community-building with a cost-effective solution that will serve our town's needs well for many years to come.
Today more than ever, we are challenged to maintain the community we cherish with the limited resources at our disposal. We need someone like Moe, who has proven that he can bring people together to turn creative ideas into pragmatic and efficient solutions. Please join us in voting for Moe Handel for Selectman on April 14.
Michael and Gloria Greis
Webster Street
Handel helps engender change
In the seven years that I have lived in Needham as the minister of its oldest institution, I have had the privilege of getting to know many community leaders. Moe Handel, who is now a candidate for Selectman, is someone whom I can support with enormous enthusiasm. Our town has clearly suffered from insufficient long-range planning. Moe is someone who has both planning and practicality at the core of his being. A devoted citizen, he is also someone who knows how to get people behind needed change. His is the kind of leadership we need. Please vote for Moe Handel for Selectman.
John Buehrens
Greendale Avenue