Our former representative raised our expectations for the qualities and skills required to represent us: keen intellect; maturity; high energy; organized; focused; humor; breadth of experiences; wide interests; depth of knowledge; ability to work with a wide variety of people; and when called for, to stand on principal, even if standing alone.

I believe that Jeff Thielman is such a person. His past experiences are testimony to his compassion, including three years in South America working among the poorest of people. He understands the need for and works toward diversity. He is comfortable working with and for people — across income, gender, religion, race, age and ability levels.

His maturity, intelligence and listening skills gives him the edge in making tough decisions as he can balance the needs of people, fiscal reality and our town needs while not losing site of the business climate, the environment and the people throughout the state. Accountability requires tough decision-making and taking heat. Jeff has this experience and has shown he can weather the storm.

In this time of fiscal crisis, we need to elect exceptional leaders who can see with new eyes, who can think outside the box, who can bring in new ideas and who can bring those ideas to reality.

Jeff Thielman is that person. Please join with me in voting for Jeff Thielman for state representative in the Democratic Primary on Tuesday, February 5.

Janice Anzalone Bakey