Dave Roberts

This spring, Dedham will vote for a new Town Moderator. This will be the first time that position has changed hands in 33 years, and with Dedham facing challenges like so many other communities, this election matters.

I’ve had the privilege of serving alongside Liz O’Donnell on the Finance and Warrant Committee for the past ten years and I know she is the right person to take on the role of Town Moderator. During our time working together, I’ve come to know Liz as someone who is fair, open-minded, thoughtful, and committed to serving the town.

The role of Town Moderator is critically important. A good moderator must do far more than keep meetings moving. They must ensure fairness, encourage respectful debate, apply the rules consistently, and help the community navigate difficult decisions together.

Liz is exceptionally well suited for this responsibility. She listens carefully to all sides, considers differing viewpoints without bias, and approaches each issue without preconceived notions. Liz does not represent a particular agenda or political point of view. Instead, she approaches every issue that comes before our board with an open mind and bases her judgment on facts, fairness, and merit.

One of Liz’s greatest strengths is communication. In recent years, she has taken the lead in explaining the town budget to Town Meeting members. She has a rare ability to take complicated information and present it clearly, which allows for more productive discussion and is exactly what is needed from our moderator.

I encourage residents to attend Liz’s campaign kickoff on Sunday, February 1, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the American Legion to see for yourselves why Liz is the right person for this job and why I am proud to support her.

Sincerely,

Dave Roberts
Chair, Finance and Warrant Committee