EDITORS NOTE: Abington News will be publishing candidate announcements for the Select Board race in advance of the April 25 Town Election. We will also start our regular Question of the Week feature in April.
My husband Jim and I have called Abington home for 22 years. He is a proud member of the sheet metal union, and our daughter Caitlin is currently a sophomore in college. Professionally, I have 25 years of experience in office management and administration, currently employed as the Branch Administrative Manager for a premier wire and cable redistributor. My background is in organizing operations and making sure every resource is
used effectively, skills that are more critical now than ever for our town.
Many of you first met me in 2015 when I ran for School Committee, or at the Town Meeting that year where I was the lead petitioner for a non-binding referendum on our town warrant to discontinue Common Core. We won that vote, which helped pave the way for phasing out the pilot PARCC testing and putting control back where it belongs with our local
community. That initial run led to nearly eight years of service on the School Committee, including two years as Chairwoman. I’m proud of my record there, including creating the
policy that ensures parental consent for pilot programs and leading the charge to keep our sex education curriculum at age-appropriate levels. I’ve always believed that our kids shouldn’t be part of a social experiment and that the final decision concerning a child belongs to the parents, not the school administration or the state.
I was at the helm during the COVID lockdowns and made difficult calls for our schools when there weren’t any easy answers. I learned then that leadership isn’t about being popular; it’s about doing what’s right for the community. I was a vocal advocate for our children’s normalcy during a time of mandates and distancing, and I wasn’t afraid to push back when I felt policies weren’t in the best interest of our students and their education. Outside of my time in office, my heart has always been serving our town, from the Fire Station and Surplus Land Committees to years spent as a Girl Scout leader and Youth Football and Cheer Secretary. I’m a firm believer that if you want a strong community, you have to help build it.
Reshaping Abington’s Future
I’m running for Select Board because I’ve managed the town’s largest budget and led through a global crisis. I’m ready to tackle our current financial challenges with that same grit. To fix our trajectory, we need to stop being reactive and start holding people accountable for how our tax dollars are managed. I’m stepping up to ensure our town services remain sustainable for the long haul.
With almost 13,000 registered voters and a critical override approaching, I’m surprised only three of us stepped up to run for the two open three-year seats. It’s a tough role that comes with plenty of criticism, but between my years of advocacy and my reputation for being just
a “wee” bit vocal I’ve got the thick skin to handle it. I understand why anyone would
hesitate to jump in, but with so much at stake for our town services, I feel a responsibility to step forward and be part of the solution.
I am honored to be one of the three people ready to lead and bring a fresh, accountable perspective to the Select Board. With two open three-year seats, I hope to earn one of your two votes.
As the weeks go on, please stay tuned to learn more about me and to be informed of my thoughts on our budget and other critical town issues. You can find Wendy Happel, Candidate for Abington Select Board at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583737130654