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Published in the Amherst Bee on October 14, 2009
Written by Amherst resident Tom Lucia
"I have worked with Ramona in different volunteer capacities for 20 years and have found her to be professional, intelligent, industrious but most
importantly APPROACHABLE."
Dear Editor:
I have been an Amherst resident for almost 40 years and I have seen the many ongoing changes on the Town Board. I have been increasingly “turned off” by the politics of the Board and have been disheartened by the “grandstanding” of many of its members. I often ask, do they talk to each other, do they talk to department heads, and do they talk to employees before they make their decisions for the Town?
This year I am excited about the candidacy of Ramona Popowich for the Town Board. I have worked with Ramona in different volunteer capacities for 20 years and have found her to be professional, intelligent, industrious but most importantly APPROACHABLE. I think too many of our town residents feel detached from of our town government and Ramona will be the one to help us again feel a part of the process.
Whether as a Williamsville School Board member or Williamsville PTSA Council member, Ramona always listened, asked questions, did more research and then got back to the person with the question within a day or two. It may not have been the answer you were looking for but you always felt Ramona had done her work looking at the bigger picture and made her decision based on her fact-finding. She always gave out her phone number and more recently her email address and encouraged constituents to call with comments, opinions and questions.
I am convinced she will deal with our town issues: traffic, safety, youth, growth, budgets and quality of life the same way she has dealt with all the concerns in her prior responsibilities.
I encourage all town residents to help elect Ramona Popowich and help bring an accessible, constituent-based member to our Town Board.
Sincerely,
Tom Lucia
Published in the Amherst Bee on September 30, 2009
Written by Paul T. Wietig, Ed.D.
Retired Deputy Superintendent of Amherst Central Schools
"Voters from all political parties should extend their support of Ramona based on her commitment, skills
and belief that governance is a process based on trust."
Dear Editor:
Voters in the Town of Amherst have an opportunity to cast their support for Ramona Popowich on November 3rd.
Collaboration and focus are the hallmark attributes of this truly dedicated public official. Over 10 years ago she initiated and led a collaborative dialogue among the three school districts within the Town of Amherst. These forums focused on establishing proactive communication with local, state and federal legislative leaders. Accountability, access to resources, promotion of legislative initiatives to support both financial and policy matters affecting operation of the school districts were the central themes for this initiative. At all times Ramona maintained focus on the general welfare of the children within our schools.
The “unified voice” of the forum represented a persuasive element for positive legislative responses at all levels. Ramona led the initiative and was unfailing in her pursuit of legislative accountability.
The same commitment was ever present in her service to the Williamsville Central School District as a board member and President of the Board. In addition, Ramona was involved in leadership roles in the Parent Teachers Association of the Williamsville schools.
Voters from all political parties should extend their support of Ramona based on her commitment, skills and belief that governance is a process based on trust.
Paul T. Wietig, Ed.D.
Retired Deputy Superintendent of the Amherst Central Schools
Published in the Amherst Bee on September 23, 2009
Written by Amherst resident Patrice A. Freeman
"Ramona has actively served our Amherst community for more than 25 years."
Dear Editor:
Change. Some of us embrace it; some try to avoid it. Regardless of this year’s outcome, the town board election will bring a change -- but will it bring real change, the change we all want? Will it bring new board members willing to use data, dialog, and debate to face down the issues facing us? Will it bring board members working in collaboration to shape the town’s future? Will it change the tone of town discourse?
It will if Ramona Popowich is elected to the town board. Ramona has actively served our Amherst community for more than 25 years. She’s been both active parent and active volunteer -- active in raising her children, active in PTA, active in her church, and with husband Bill, active in the Swormville Volunteer fire department. Point is: Ramona’s been active -- not as a politician -- but as most of us are, as good parents and as good residents.
In addition, Ramona’s been a committed, volunteer leader in our community. She served in PTA leadership for over two decades and has served for nearly a decade on the Williamsville school board -- including two terms as president, two as vice-president, and one as parliamentarian. Ramona is not a new leader. She’s a proven leader.
I’ve seen first-hand her hard work and dogged commitment to doing what’s right. She’s in touch with what’s important to residents. She understands that true fiscal responsibility is not talking in sound bytes and peddling easy answers. It’s rolling up your sleeves and balancing, as best you can, the multiple, often conflicting priorities facing our community.
I urge town residents to vote for Ramona and reject the same old bickering and downright foolishness that has plagued town politics for too long. It is time for change. It’s time for Ramona Popowich.
Patrice A. Freeman
Williamsville, NY
Published in the Amherst Bee on September 23, 2009
Written by Amherst resident Paul Kranz
"Residents of Amherst can be assured that she will support the emergency services they rely upon for their protection, and will support our volunteer firefighters."
Dear Editor:
As funds for critical municipal work become less abundant, the Town Board will require members who are engaged in the community and with a track record for the utilization of available resources to “get the job done”. Ramona Popowich has shown this ability in all her past endeavors. Her stated objective to research and investigate before voting on critical issues will add to the competency of our Town government. Ramona Popowich’s work ethic, intelligence and responsible character have secured my support for her candidacy for Town Board.
I personally have worked with Ramona Popowich while she served as President of the Swormville Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. She is very familiar with Town emergency services and is very aware of the time and dedication required of Amherst volunteer firefighters. Residents of Amherst can be assured that she will support the emergency services they rely upon for their protection, and will support our volunteer firefighters.
Ramona Popowich has a track record of setting priorities as President of the Williamsville School Board and supports the concept of using the adopted Town Master Plan to drive zoning decisions. Recent events in southern Erie County have emphasized the need for disaster preparedness, and in particular, flood control. Ramona has stated that storm water control and flood prevention will be one of her priorities.
The preservation of our hard and soft assets such as infrastructure and knowledgeable workforce, and reinforcing responsible growth and revitalization of established parts of the Town, will pose challenges for our Town government. Ramona Popowich is up to the task and this is why I support her bid for election to the Town Board and ask fellow residents of the Town of Amherst to vote for her on Election Day, November 3rd.
Sincerely,
Paul Kranz
Amherst, NY
Published in the Amherst Bee on August 12, 2009
Written by Ramona Popowich
"I have heard loud and clear what people expect from their Amherst Town Board members."
Dear Editor:
Since declaring my candidacy in March for the Amherst Town Board, I have heard loud and clear what people expect from their Amherst Town Board members. Their wish list includes many common sense items regarding communicating with the public and working on town business:
- Return phone calls
- Fulfill liaison commitments
- Listen to committee members and their reports prior to voting
- Resolutions should have a positive and meaningful impact on the town
- Do homework/research before writing a resolution
- Know the cost to the town before voting on a resolution
- Know the alternatives to a resolution prior to voting
- Be aware of unintended consequences before passing a resolution
My 24 year public service track record includes serving as President of the Williamsville Board of Education, Williamsville PTSA Council and Swormville Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. I have the proven leadership and communication skills to fulfill the resident’s wishes and expectations. When government functions efficiently, we all benefit.
Please honor me with your vote on November 3rd.
Sincerely,
Ramona Popowich
Candidate for Amherst Town Board
East Amherst, NY
Published in the Amherst Bee on July 8, 2009
Written by Ramona Popowich
"We chose Amherst as the best place to raise our three children because of its reputation as a town of stature,
a town that commanded respect, and a town with
excellent schools."
Dear Editor:
In 1983, my husband was transferred to Buffalo. We chose Amherst as the best place to raise our three children because of its reputation as a town of stature, a town that commanded respect, and a town with excellent schools. Now, regrettably, Amherst is known more for the town board’s bickering behavior.
I love Amherst, and as a candidate for the town board, my goals are to raise the bar of professionalism, to meet the residents’ high expectations of its leaders, work on the actual business of the town, and to reject the divisive atmosphere of grandstanding politics.
As a town board member, my leadership will emphasize civility, communication, and common sense.
- Civility …treating other adults in a respectful manner;
- Communication…working in partnership with people to make decisions for the greater good;
- Common Sense…making decisions that reflect the values of our community and being responsive to the needs of the people.
My 24 year public service track record includes serving as President of the Williamsville Board of Education, PTSA Council and the Swormville Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. As a town board member, I will incorporate the leadership skills that I have developed over the years: working collaboratively with other people, developing long range plans, listening to the taxpayers’ concerns, and creating responsible budgets.When government functions correctly we all benefit.
Currently, I am on a “listening tour”. I would love to hear from you and would welcome your comments at ramona@ramonapopowich.com. Together we can bring back the respected image of leadership that Amherst and its residents deserve.
Thank you, and please honor me with your vote on November 3rd.
Ramona Popowich
Candidate for Amherst Town Board
East Amherst, NY
