Candidate for three-year Board of Health write-in seat will advocate for more financial support from the state
Luke Miller is running a write-in campaign for a three-year term on the Tewksbury Board of Health. There is one candidate on the ballot for two open seats. You can hear from Luke and other candidates on Thursday night at the Crier & Carnation Candidates Forum.
Carnation: Why do you want to serve on the Board of Health?
Luke Miller: I have always had a deep respect for individuals who step up to help others, and a strong drive myself to emulate those people. I want to serve our community because I believe that a few good people working together and working hard can make a significant impact; I want the opportunity to do good and give back to this community. I am specifically interested in the Board of Health because of the opportunities to make a positive impact for the unhoused, mental health wellness, ensure the safety of our flourishing restaurants, and support small businesses.
TC: Give us a brief bio: Where you grew up, family, interests.
LM: Raised in Tewksbury, I am a product of our town’s values of hard work and community service. My interests include paying way too much attention to the news and further exploring topics that I enjoyed in school. I have worked in the restaurant industry both locally and on the Cape, and held a state house internship for Rep. Tram Nguyen in 2021 focusing on how the state budget allocates funds and resources for the homeless population and parallel communities. I’m an advocate for bicycle and pedestrian access, having worked for a bike shop on the Cape as well, and I even worked as a counselor in the summer recreation program in Tewksbury operated by Community Services.
TC: What is your education?
LM: After attending Tewksbury Memorial High School, I received a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in History, with a Minor in Political Philosophy from the University of Maine. My education has equipped me with a solid foundation in analysis, research, and an understanding of political processes. Additionally, during college I was a research fellow with the McGillicuddy Humanities Center, which gave me the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how state and local policy works and affects the homeless population.
TC: What is your “day job,” and how do your past or current professional experiences prepare you for service on the BoH?
LM: I work at Cabot Risk Strategies where I help manage commercial insurance accounts. This profession has given me insight into the hard work that business owners do to keep themselves insulated from risk and their employees safe.
TC: If elected, what do you hope to accomplish in the next three years? What is your platform? (feel free to include a link to your website or Facebook page)
LM: If elected, I hope to move the board in a more proactive direction. Since COVID we have been in a survival mindset; I believe it is time we get to work and go after the issues that impact our community the most, especially when it comes to areas that are so often overlooked. The Board of Health can mobilize to help find grants, partner with other agencies to provide programming, propose policy initiatives, seek funding for new recreation programs, develop housing and action plans for the unhoused, support local efforts for addiction help, and create structures to prevent cannabis use by young people now that retail marijuana shops are under development in town.
Facebook page is Facebook.com/write.in.miller
TC: What are the top three health-related issues you see in town, and how will you address them?
LM: 1) The state hospital is a top priority for our community and a valuable resource that needs immediate attention. The strains on our local public safety resources and increasing emergency calls, a lack of adequate staffing for some of the most challenging patients in the state, mounting security concerns, and as a major employer, it is critical that the Board of Health has a seat at the table when it comes to solving the problems and giving voice to our residents’ concerns. The Board must advocate for more financial support from the state as well as increase benefits for the town’s emergency services that are often taking on this extra responsibility. Work is already underway to help turn around operational deficiencies, but we must advocate for a holistic approach, ensuring the physical and mental wellbeing of staff, patients, and the abutters directly impacted day to day while growing the positive relationship we have with this institution.
2) Following COVID we have all seen the effects of stress and anxiety, no more so than our students and our seniors. Students are the key to our future and seniors know best who we are at our core. Offering more support for mental health care is essential for a strong community. The Board of Health can make an impact by supporting current and new programs for both groups in conjunction with town staff, the School Committee, and the Council on Aging.
3) The Board of Health and town staff have done a good job of supporting local businesses and restaurants; it is essential that we keep this good record going, especially with the possibilities of new types of businesses coming into town, like cannabis for example. These are areas where we cannot only make sure businesses are in compliance with local and state policy, but also educate and keep the people of Tewksbury informed on safety, health initiatives, and standards.
TC: Do you support the proposal to assign letter grades to Tewksbury restaurants? Why or why not?
LM: I am not opposed to the proposal to assign letter grades to Tewksbury restaurants, however I think it prudent to hear the opinion from our director of public health, Shannon Gillis, and for us to consider the possible economic development stress this could put on potential new restaurants. Letter grades for restaurants are popular in cities, and understanding the different business markets between Tewksbury and cities like Boston or Worcester, should hold weight in our decision. With all that being said, it is paramount that we do not compromise our standards for health and safety no matter the outcome of such a proposal.
TC: What else would you like to say to residents to encourage them to vote for you?
LM: I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to learn about all of the candidates. The most important thing in any election is to educate yourself on the people running with a fair and open mind. I ask for your support and your write-in vote on April 6 for one of the two three-year seats on the Board of Health. If you vote me onto the Board of Health I promise to be accessible, accountable, and responsible. If anyone would like to get in touch with me for questions or would like to help support this write in campaign, my Facebook page is Facebook.com/write.in.miller
Thank you.
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