Sam Hiersteiner: I will promote quality of life, civic engagement on Select Board

I am running for the open seat on the Acton Select Board. 

I feel a deep commitment to generations of citizen leaders who have volunteered their time in service of this community. Our unique participatory democracy is a gift worth protecting, and I would embrace the opportunity to collaborate in that pursuit with the current members of the board and subcommittees, as well as city staff and local philanthropic, business, cultural, and education leaders.

At this moment of transformative opportunities for Acton, we also must build a bridge to the future by ensuring broader representation on the board, including for families with young children and early- and mid-career professionals who have untapped energy and ideas to contribute. 

I am inspired by the fact that Acton has historically had profound and positive things to say to the world about liberty, democracy, equality, creative expression, and naturalism, among other things. We can recommit to those values as we write the next act.

I have three priorities in mind if I’m fortunate to win:

• Quality of life through fiscal foresight and responsibility, economic vibrancy, and dynamic development. 
• Civic engagement through modernizing our participatory democracy, encouraging civic virtue, and preparing Acton’s young people with future proof skills for the AI age (building on my profession in civic education).
• Culture through protecting and leveraging our incredible heritage and values.

It was a dream for my wife and me to move to Acton in 2021 and build our young family here. Personally, I can’t imagine a better place to be a writer, history buff, cook, gardener, forager, coach, board member (at Gaining Ground), and neighbor. I feel compelled to give back.

I hope to meet and hear from many Concordians during the campaign. 

I humbly ask for your vote on March 31.

Sam Hiersteiner

Pine Hill Lane