2 April, 2012
My name is Michelle Gates and I am delighted to run for re-election to the office of Selectman for the Town of Hopkinton. I have lived in Hopkinton most of my life and am a graduate of Hopkinton High School. My husband Mark, a member of the Board of Health, and I raised our daughter here and were pleased to attend her graduation from Hopkinton High in 2009.
We owe a sincere debt of gratitude to the people of Hopkinton for the outstanding education our family received in the Hopkinton school system. I am an accountant by training and work full-time in the administration field. This background uniquely qualifies me to be your Selectman during these fiscally challenging times.
Arising from the passion I feel for the values of our community, I have served the Town in many different capacities over the years. As well as being a firm believer in volunteerism, I have a hands-on knowledge of the workings of town government.
As Selectman, I have served the Town as liaison to the following Boards, Committees, and Town Departments: Hopkinton Fire Department; Council on Aging; Veterans' Services; Cultural Council; Keefe Tech School Committee Liaison and Board Member; Parks and Recreation; Historic Preservation Boards; 300th Celebration Committee; and the Board of Assessors. In addition to aforementioned, I serve on the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the 495 Metro West Partnership to ensure that Hopkinton's interests are properly represented at the Commonwealth's level.
In addition to being a member of the Board of Selectman, I have served our townspeople in the following positions:
• Hopkinton Justice of the Peace
• Hopkinton Parks and Recreation Commission, Chairman
• Hopkinton Historical Society, President
• Hopkinton Historical Commission, Chairman
• CPA (Community Preservation Act) Steering Committee Member
• CPC (Community Preservation Commission), Committee Member
• Hopkinton Marathon Committee, Committee Member
• Downtown Revitalization Committee, Committee Member
• Hopkinton Concerts on the Common, Event Organizer
• Open Space Master Plan Committee, Committee Member
• Hopkinton Sportsmen’s Association, Membership Secretary
As your Selectman, I have worked tirelessly to dig deep into the full details of the matters before the Board - from budgetary discussions, application of the charter, and school building issues to committee appointments and parade permits. Both my experience and tenacious need for the truth makes me an important voice on the Board. I now ask for your vote so I may continue to be a valuable asset to the Board of Selectman and to the citizens of the Town of Hopkinton.
