Candidate for three-year Board of Health write-in seat will seek to support recovery with no stigma
Donna Robitaille 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 Donna and the other candidates on Thursday night at the Crier & Carnation Candidates Forum.
Carnation: Why do you want to serve on the Board of Health?
Donna Robitaille: I want to volunteer and participate. I am interested in this vacancy as an opportunity to serve in Tewksbury’s town government I would like to help and be a continued voice against the opiate crisis.
TC: Give us a brief bio: Where you grew up, family, interests.
DR: I grew up in Tewksbury. We raised our children here. I have lots of family and friends from Tewksbury over many years gone by. All in all, heart of my story, and who I am. Being older hasn’t changed anything, I love this town and deeply care for this community
TC: What is your education?
DR: I graduated Tewksbury High School Class of 1976.
TC: What is your “day job,” and how do your past or current professional experiences prepare you for service on the BoH?
DR: Dance has been a lifelong passion and livelihood. Adventures interest me — traveling and exploring. Also one of my hobbies is to collect seaglass. I am retired. My job experience in the food and beverage industry for many years has led me to understand the importance of this department. Following the law and cooperation working with businesses matters. With a willingness to learn, I will do my best.
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)
DR: During the next three years, my goal would be to support fellow board members with their calls to action. To join in offer some of my ideas. In other words work together for the benefit of Tewksbury. I want to build on the strong foundation of works from former BofH members, other town officials and departments supporting recovery, no stigma. Working with the State to get grants and funding toward these efforts.
TC: What are the top three health-related issues you see in town, and how will you address them?
DR: Top three: Fetynal has complicated things and is the fight. I believe being loud to Washington is the way forward on this. More Federal funding and attention is needed now. Mental illness and nutrition concerns are alarming and deserve our attention. I will work to support professionals from our community that can help, and again to seek any state and federal funding through grant programs is important for people of all ages from children to seniors.
TC: Do you support the proposal to assign letter grades to Tewksbury restaurants? Why or why not?
DR: I need to examine what letter grades is about. I think if it’s part of regulations and controlled information it could make sense. I would be interested in knowing more to support this idea.
TC: What else would you like to say to residents to encourage them to vote for you?
DR: In closing I would encourage voters chose me for the write in position, I support the Two candidates on the ballot for Board of Health two and three year seats. I am asking voters to write in Robitaille in the place on ballot for three year Board of Health vacancy which has no candidate listed. I object to the politics.
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