Table of Contents
Biographical questions
1.) I have lived in Winchester for Thirteen (13) years, since February 2012.
2.) I am an Historian; previously operated Cambridge Advantage, a Guided Tour Business in Cambridge, and Boston, for twenty (20) years. – Presently, I am operating Mass Presentations, which delivers presentations on History, Civics, and Public Issues.
My comprehensive, and varied experience, includes business consulting, local access cable television programming, and extensive public policy advocacy.
I have filed, what is now, a substantial legislative package, called An Expanded Massachusetts Agenda, with a total of 47 pieces of legislation, at The Massachusetts Legislature; developing a constructive approach to solving significant problems. Examples include: A Literacy Tax Credit, A Constitutional Right to Health Care, A Graduate Judicial Training School – to train judges – and many other constructive solution-oriented ideas. They may be found by looking at the Massachusetts General Court Website, and in the section of Bills, entering respectively: Lewis Dixon, and Day Dixon.
The Educational Background that I have, is important to my capabilities. I was Home Schooled, by my parents, from Kindergarten, through High School. My college education, was earning an Associate of Arts (A.A.), and Bachelor of Arts (A.B.), with Honors, from Harvard University Extension School. Then, I earned a Master of Education (Ed.M.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. – In addition, I have taken additional course work in Computer Systems, and graduate level Economics.
3.) An important role, that I held, and gained significant experience in, over four years was as:
Member, Finance Committee, Town of Winchester, Mass. July 9, 2015 to July, 2019.
Various responsibilities relating to Town of Winchester Budget of over $100 million annually; analyzing, hearing, making recommendations, and taking votes, relating to municipal expenditures, and budget.
During service on Finance Committee, served on various sub-committees, including: Education; OPEB, Pension; Personnel, and other Subcommittees.
4.) Government in Winchester, is primarily a volunteer activity, although we have many valuable professional managerial staff, and staff support individuals, who make our town, effective, despite often challenged resources. – As a Member of the Finance Committee, I was a strong advocate for economical, and effective public services, that provide needed ability for the residents, and business people, of Winchester, to function well. – Two specific achievements, are being effectively, the swing vote, that brought full Kindergarten to Winchester, and adding two positions to the Fire Department, which actually saved, a quarter of a million dollars ($250,000).
5.) If I am entrusted with your vote, for Town Meeting Representative – Precinct Three (3); I will continue my advocacy, in various ways. Specific issues that I will be active in advocating for, will include: A.) Full Preschool Enrollment, for all families who want to have it, for their students; B.) Strong Support For Tasteful New Building, in the Central Business District; Winchester needs significant new commercial revenue, to keep its quality education, and to update its curriculum, especially in the areas of reading, and civics. – Please vote for myself:
Town Meeting candidate-specific questions
1.) Constituent Perspectives, are important. I regularly visit the Winchester Farmers Market, in season, where many in town, shop, and mingle; where I learn a lot about what people are thinking, and are concerned about. – My own experience, over decades of public advocacy, and service, helps to inform me, about keeping up with relevant news on law, public policy, and public expenditures. – This is particularly important these days, as there is an unpredictable whipsaw, between Federal, Commonwealth, and Municipal realities. Finally, as an Historian, I have a relatively valuable view of past events, that have become history; and a prospective viewpoint, of what may be ahead of us, on our road of American Civilization.
2.) I have a fairly good record of communicating, in Winchester, and beyond. Should I be elected to Town Meeting, I would make sure that I have a useful website; knock door-to-door, to introduce myself, to people whom I do not know, and reacquaint myself, with others I do know. Also, I believe that there should be, a stronger electronic, and printed presence by the Town of Winchester government, and would work to strengthen this range of communication mechanisms.
3.) My knowledge of Finance, and Budgets, being strong, I have ideas, including: A Fund For Winchester (beyond a rainy day fund – more of a Town Endowment); and Tax Credits, for Winchester residents, and business people, with good ideas.
