Letter to the Editor: Monika Wilkinson, An Outstanding Choice for Library Trustee

Dear Editor:

I write to encourage your support of Monika Wilkinson, candidate for Library Trustee.  Monika's commitment to the community, her background and experience in education, and her upbeat personality all make her perfectly suited for service on the board.

First, on top of being a teacher and the mother of three great kids, she has been involved in an amazing number of initiatives to build the Dedham community.  She is the co-founder of Dedham Shines, the co-chair of the Dedham Public Art Project, and is the membership coordinator of Dedham Parent Time, a family network organization.  

She is a Town Meeting Member and is also the co-founder of the Dedham Welcome Wagon, providing new residents with information about the community. I have also served with her on the board of the Dedham Education Foundation, which funds enrichment programs in all of Dedham's schools, and she has been actively involved in the ECEC and Oakdale schools.  The leadership skills and passion for Dedham that she has demonstrated in all of these efforts would be great assets on the library board.

The libraries and the board would also benefit from her unique expertise.

She received her college degree in English education and her master's degree in education. She has been an educational researcher in literacy and served as a middle and high school English teacher.  She hopes to utilize her training to enhance library programs for both children and adults, to forge greater collaboration between the libraries and the schools, and to encourage lifelong learning.

Finally, Monika is a great listener with a thoughtful and open mind.

Thanks to these qualities, she would be responsive to residents' thoughts and concerns, and capable of building consensus amongst the board members.  She is also optimistic, and has the energy needed to make our libraries vibrant community resources.

In short, we would be fortunate to have Monika serving us on the library board of trustees. I urge you to vote for her on Saturday, April 13, or by absentee ballot in advance if you are going to be out of town.

Thank you for your consideration,

Mark Reilly