Allison Gustavson – David J. Kent

Change is hard, but there are times when change is necessary. This is one of those times. Following words from Abraham Lincoln, that is how I began my endorsement of Allison Gustavson. Now I am asking my family, friends, and everyone else in the Fourth Essex District to vote for Allison Gustavson for Massachusetts State Representative.

Allison brings a much needed new voice and energy to the district. She is motivated by a strong desire to represent all citizens in the district, not just those of the party. She is driven by her love for all of the towns in the district, not just the one. Ipswich, Hamilton, Manchester, Rowley, Topsfield, and Wenham will all benefit with Allison as their representative.

Yes, change is hard. Many of you have voted for the incumbent Brad Hill every election for the last 20 years. We all have fond memories of Brad’s father, uncle, and the family name. But it’s time to move beyond that family name and get a representative who speaks for all of us.

The recent League of Women Voters Candidate Forum provided ample evidence of the need for change. Whereas Brad Hill prevaricated or offered up boilerplate policies that have failed citizens repeatedly in the past, Allison Gustavson demonstrated that she will take steps to preserve the rights of all citizens in the Fourth Essex district, both now and the future. Allison will protect 2nd amendment rights while keeping our children safe from gun violence. Allison will support economic growth while addressing the real issue of climate change. Allison will ensure the rights of all citizens, not promote bigotry and anti-women policies. Whereas Brad’s incumbent position was gained by adherence to party dogma, Allison is driven by positive movement, service to all the public, and a willingness to listen to people’s views no matter what party.

Allison Gustavson is by far the best choice for all the citizens in all the towns of the Fourth Essex District. So I’m asking you to vote for her.

I’m asking my family and friends who live in Ipswich, Hamilton, Manchester, Rowley, Topsfield, and Wenham to vote for Allison Gustavson on Tuesday, November 6, 2019. Please also ask your friends and neighbors to vote for her. The future of the community depends on making Allison your next state representative.

Thank you.

[This will be the final “political” post on my website as I’ll return to my normal topics of Abraham Lincoln, Science Travel, Nikola Tesla, and Thomas Edison. But as Lincoln said, we must “be active, when action is needed.” I believe action is needed.]

David J. Kent is an avid science traveler and the author of Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America, in Barnes and Noble stores now. His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.

Check out my Goodreads author page. While you’re at it, “Like” my Facebook author page for more updates!

Allison Gustavson “As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew,” said Abraham Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War. “The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present.” Change is hard, but there are times when change is necessary. This is one of those times.

I was born and raised in Ipswich and it will always be my home town. My father was born in Rowley, my mother Manchester, and they have lived the last 65 years in Ipswich. Much of my extended family continues to live in Ipswich, Hamilton, Manchester, Rowley, Topsfield, and Wenham. These towns mean the world to them, and to me. Which is why I am endorsing Allison Gustavson to represent the Fourth Essex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Allison is driven not by party, but by service to the community. Witnessing the national tragedy of September 11, 2001 from the streets below the twin towers inspired her to study elementary education. This background helped her understand the value of educating all students, a value she shares with Abraham Lincoln. Her service with the Manchester Council-on-Aging has helped her bridge the needs of the elderly with the energy of the younger generations. Allison believes “our communities are strongest when we all have the opportunities to engage with and learn from each other.” She has proven this in every aspect of her life and through founding an organization that encourages and facilitates local citizen participation in democracy.

With family roots in Ipswich and living in the Fourth Essex district, Allison understands the local needs of the people. As a businesswoman, she understands how choices made locally and in the legislature affect the economy and the livelihoods of the business community. As a woman, she brings much needed insight to the questions that affect women, families, and businesses. Lincoln, too, understood the needs of the people. He insisted on meeting with a steady stream of common men and women daily in his White House office. He called these meetings his “public-opinion baths,” which he used to keep in touch with the views of the people. Allison has emulated this by meeting with everyone in all walks of life no matter what their political preferences. Doing so keeps her in touch with the public sentiment, which Lincoln knew “is everything.”

Growing up in the shadow of Castle Hill, working at Crane Beach, biking through Bradley Palmer, and canoeing on the Ipswich River led me to a career in environmental science. As a scientist I appreciate Allison’s commitment to protecting the natural beauty that is of such critical importance to the Fourth District, as well as dealing with the realities of climate change and protecting worker safety. Choate Bridge, the Heard and Whipple Houses, and the inspired history of the region led me also to the world of Abraham Lincoln, so I recognize that we live in troubling times. “The occasion is piled high with difficulty,” Lincoln said, but also knew that “we must rise” to meet the challenge. Allison provides an opportunity to change our politics, to work with all parties – not just one party – to address the very real issues facing all the communities of the district.

“We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country,” Lincoln added. As Lincoln was the best choice to lead our nation through its greatest trial, I believe Allison Gustavson is the best choice to help pave the way for the future of the region. She will represent all men, women, and children of the Fourth Essex District. I am confident that Allison is the right person at the right time to bring us together for the good of all of us. On November 6^th, I hope you vote for Allison Gustavson to represent the Fourth Essex District of Massachusetts.

For more information about Allison, please visit her website at www.allisongustavson.com.

[Those who follow me know I have not endorsed a political candidate before. But as Lincoln said, we must “be active, when action is needed.” I believe action is needed.]

Check out my Goodreads author page. While you’re at it, “Like” my Facebook author page for more updates!