Arlington is a great place to live, but a lot of the things we value as a community are threatened by Massachusetts’ broken system of municipal financing. We’re already taxing ourselves beyond the ability of some to pay. State aid formulas shortchange towns like ours. We’re not wealthy enough to make up the difference with annual overrides, and we can’t build ourselves out of the corner that Proposition 2 1/2 has painted us into.

More than ever, Arlington needs a skilled, effective representative to fight for us on Beacon Hill. I believe Jeff Thielman is the right choice.

I have worked with Jeff on the School Committee for almost a year. Despite our occasional disagreement, I’ve found Jeff to be the easiest of all my colleagues to work with. Jeff is thoughtful, extremely capable and action-oriented. I know when Jeff makes a commitment he will come through. Jeff is up-front about his positions on every issue, but he is also open-minded and readily admits mistakes. We have helped each other to get a lot done in my short time on the committee.

I’ve also watched Jeff work with my other colleagues and in the community. He listens actively, and is not afraid to disagree. Jeff welcomes a give and take with people on issues. In fact, he actively seeks out and engages those with opposing views, and has an admirable talent for changing people’s minds.

Not surprisingly, Jeff is Jesuit-trained, and has worked with the Jesuits to make a positive difference in the lives of underprivileged children in Peru, and in urban areas across the United States.

Jeff tells me the Jesuits teach that we should “come to disagreement” with other people, and Jeff has applied this philosophy effectively in building coalitions of diverse constituencies in Arlington. I believe he can do the same on Beacon Hill.

Jeff’s release of the Ottoson e-mails made a difficult situation worse for all involved, including me. I’ve struggled since then to gain the sense of perspective that enables me to look past this one act. But Jeff has sought me out, to “come to disagreement,” and in recent weeks I have come to realize there is too much that’s good in Jeff, and too much at stake in this election, to make it a referendum on a single, isolated mistake.

We need someone in the State House who is not afraid to act and occasionally to make mistakes. We need someone who will seek out and engage those who disagree, and not try to be everyone’s best friend. We need someone with a lifelong record of effective public service around the world — and right here at home.

We need someone who will fight for a fairer shot for Arlington. On February 5, I’ll be casting my vote for Jeff Thielman.