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When seeking leadership qualities, the devil is often in the details. We live our day-to-day lives attending to tasks that, while mundane(food shopping, bill paying, health issues, child rearing)are necessary to life. A leader understands that a critical responsibility is attending to just those types of tasks. While the more notable issues make headlines, it is the every day operations of our community that require attention as well. Janie Dretler, in her tenure has fully committed to these tasks with an eye for detail. Janie does her homework. Her research engenders a confidence that she is knowledgeable and decisive when decisions are being made.
There are traits which are compelling for leaders; decision making, communications, resilience and detail.
Janie has proven over the years that she is resilient in the face of challenges the SelectBoard probably did not envision – management changes, Covid, an ever increasing focus on financial concerns, while balancing cost/benefit analysis in determining how to spend dollars that don’t stretch far enough. Towards that end, Janie has moved the Select Board to finalize the backlog of unfinished items creating space to deal with new challenges.
Janie’s attention to detail is consequential. When the ‘fine print’ is overlooked, in contracts, financial issues, or policy, we become exposed. Sudbury cannot accept ‘oops’ moments within these areas! Her capacity to research an issue, not hold back on asking the tough, probing questions, allowing for outcomes that are well vetted and thorough is paramount to leadership. Janie is willing and more than able to slog through the mundane in order that our community benefits from her ability to communicate, make clear eyed decisions and present a coherent vision for how these decisions effect the future of Sudbury.
Sudbury has high expectations for leadership-we demand commitment, intellectual prowess, open communication as well as verifiable decision making. Janie has effectively demonstrated the ability to achieve on a very high level, what is best for our community. I am confident in my support for her continued position on the Select Board.
I respectfully encourage you to join me in voting for Janie Dretler on March 25. Thank you.
Kirsten Roopenian, Sudbury