Here are letters to the editor supporting Shawn's 2022 election to the Select Board.
Click on the links below to expand the letters and endorsements.
My name is Anisha and I’m writing this in support of Shawn Hanegan and his candidacy for Select Board. I’m a freshman at Boston University studying Political Science and in the beginning of 2022, I was looking for a way to explore this field outside of a classroom. When one of my mentors in Bedford reached out and told me that Shawn needed a campaign manager, it sounded like an exciting opportunity but I didn’t know who Shawn was. I decided to work with Shawn for a trial week in order to learn more about his values and policies.
As an Indian, I came into this position knowing I was very passionate about including the voices of different racial and ethnic groups in Bedford’s government, a system traditionally controlled by and catered towards white men. In that first week, Shawn surprised me when he openly shared that he wanted to work to achieve this goal with me. He understands that there are different communities in town and that are joined by a shared religion, race, ethnicity,
socio-economic status, etc. He also understands that these communities can not be treated as one monolithic voice, a common misconception people have: “If you’ve met one Indian, you’ve met them all”. There are many different opinions, values, and perspectives within each community. Through his willingness to cold call members of different communities to hear their thoughts, and his dedication to coming up with more effective methods of communication with more residents (surveys, public forums, new advertising platforms), Shawn showed me that he genuinely wants to learn how he can give power to unheard and unrepresented voices.
After that first week, Shawn’s ability to receive and learn from feedback made my job much easier. I can be blunt when it comes to the ideas and opinions I have. After two public forums, I wrote Shawn two page-long essays explaining why I hated a phrase he used or the wording he chose in order to explain one of his policies. Instead of getting upset, he would respectfully respond to my essays and I never heard him use that phrase or wording again. Shawn’s humble nature allows him to take harsh criticism from a college freshman and after two months as his campaign manager, I have seen that his ability to grow is neverending.
As a Bedford Planning Board member, it has been my pleasure to work
along side Shawn Hanegan as elected officials for the last five years. It will be a
loss to the Planning Board, but a win for the town if he’s elected to the Select
Board. I have no doubt he will do a great job representing and working hard for
all residents as a Select Board member.
With experience as both member and chair of the Planning Board, as
well as his liaison roles on the Community Preservation, Depot Park, Housing
Partnership, and Transportation Advisory committees, Shawn is poised to step
into the role of Select Board member ready to go. He knows and understands
the issues the town faces and the concerns of the residents. He knows how
the process works and who to talk to to get things done. One of Shawn’s many
strengths is the way he carefully listens and takes in everyone’s opinions and
ideas and then works to find creative solutions that reflect all concerns. He is
balanced, measured and fair, both in and out of public meetings.
As health, economic, and, political realities have morphed over the last
few years, I believe we have all learned a lot about ourselves, our communities,
how we fit in and if we so choose, how we can help. Shawn is no exception to
this. I encourage you to read his campaign website where he speaks in detail
on issues that are critical to our personal wellbeing and that of our community.
Along with understanding and having viable ideas on managing our economic
growth, housing, transportation and sustainability issues, he also understands
that a town’s “character” and community are only as good as who’s included -
that more outreach and engagement is key, and that we need to provide
places, spaces, and programming to bring folks together.
I encourage you to do two things: 1) VOTE on March 12 and 2) consider
Shawn as you prepare to vote, reach out to him to talk. Learn for yourself why
he would be a great person to have on our Select Board representing you as a
resident and all of us as the community we all care deeply about.
I am happy to write a letter of support for Shawn Hanegan, who is a candidate for the Bedford Select Board.
There are two things about Shawn Hanegan that I think make him very well qualified to be a member of the Select Board: his experience and his personal characteristics regarding the way he interacts with others:
Through his experience as a member and current Chair of Bedford’s Planning Board, Shawn has had the opportunity to think about Bedford’s future from a number of points of view. He has served as Planning Board liaison to the Housing Partnership and Community Preservation Committees. Through that work, he has come to know a great deal about Bedford’s housing needs. Additionally, as liaison to the Transportation Advisory Committee, he has learned the ways that people in Bedford get around, and how to support and expand options so that there are more choices, besides automobiles, that residents can make. His years of experience as a board/committee member have given him the skills he needs to work successfully as a Select Board member.
Besides his experience, Shawn brings three important personal characteristics to his candidacy that I see as essential for a Select Board member: 1) he is always ready to listen to what others say; 2) he doesn’t presume to know all there is to know; and 3) he engages with others to work through problems.
Finally, Shawn is passionate about the things he cares about. He does not let a priority go just because his efforts weren’t successful the first time. Instead, he goes back to his drawing board with new information, he does more study and research, and he comes back to the table better prepared.
I think his experience and his character make Shawn an ideal candidate for Bedford’s Select Board, and I hope you will join me in voting for him on March 12.
During election season, I’m often concerned that what I read on candidates’ webpages might merely be hype to get elected. But I don’t have to worry about that with Shawn Hanegan who, along with Emily Mitchell, will wholeheartedly get one of my votes for Select Board member. Shawn has already served us well for many years. We will be lucky residents indeed to have his steady, forward-thinking and kind leadership on the Select Board!
Steady & Knowledgeable: Shawn Hanegan has quietly been serving our Town since 2012, since soon after he moved to Bedford. He’s been elected three times to our Planning Board, has served on the Transportation Advisory Committee, the Community Preservation Committee, and the Housing Partnership. In my interactions with him, he's been fully knowledgeable, well-prepared about topics, and has thought thoroughly through issues. Having talked with Shawn many times about climate change, he demonstrates that he understands the important choices ahead for governments and people in order to preserve a livable climate for future generations.
Forward-Thinking: Shawn Hanegan’s Planning Board and Transportation Advisory Committee work has shown me how he thinks about the future of Bedford. He values sustainability measures (evidenced by walkability and bikeability design standards for Great Road zoning) but also understands how to mesh that with smart economic development for a stable Bedford. As Bedford will have to grapple with how to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 as dictated by both climate science and by state law, I am confident that Shawn will help position Bedford well with stepping stones of change to get us there.
Kind & Inclusive: Shawn Hanegan has shown me how respectful he is of all people and viewpoints, clearly articulating any differing opinions without ever putting anyone down. He listens carefully and looks for the different sides of all issues. He clearly articulates why he makes the decisions he does, helping others to not only know what he values but also to help us all think about the issues in a broader way. His kind nature goes a long way in easing tensions and bringing people along to new viewpoints.
The care and time he gives to all Bedford issues shows me by his actions, with no hype or fanfare, how Shawn’s steady, knowledgeable, and kind leadership would benefit Bedford greatly. I urge you to join me in voting for Shawn Hanegan for Select Board on March 12th!
I share Shawn’s passion for public service and faith in government’s capacity to improve people’s lives. I also believe in his vision of a Bedford adapting to a rapidly changing future while maintaining its inclusive and welcoming character. Having served on the Transportation and Conservation Committees as well as the Housing Partnership and Planning Board, Shawn has already immersed himself in the workings of town government. He would bring invaluable experience to the Select Board.
As someone who has advocated for legislation on the state and federal level, I’ve gotten to sample some of what goes into making good policy: public-mindedness, willingness to work with others, knowledge about possible solutions, and ability to follow through. Shawn combined all this in his involvement with the 2019 Bedford Housing Study. As a representative of the Planning Board, Shawn was part of the group that solicited public feedback and learned about the problem high housing prices posed for senior citizens and young professionals. Shawn was also part of the solution when he helped change zoning laws to create an assisted living district and a mixed-use zoning area to accommodate moderate-income housing.
As a systems engineer, Shawn is an expert in the management of multiple moving parts. But he also sees the human element. At MIT, Shawn was a member of the rowing team where he experienced firsthand the importance of people acting in synch to maintain a rhythm. In his job developing patient monitoring devices at Draeger Medical, Shawn characterizes much of his work as talking to people and addressing their concerns. Indeed, Shawn understands that the soundness of any system is dependent on the people who populate it.
I hope you join me in voting for Shawn Hanegan at the town election on March 12th. I’m confident that with Shawn on the Select Board Bedford’s forward momentum will be smoother sailing even when waters get choppy.
I worked very closely with Shawn for several years, during my tenure as planning director in Bedford. I am unhesitant in saying that I would be hard pressed to identify an individual more perfectly suited to be a Select Board member in the town, and this includes experience with a very large number of public officials in a long list of locations and projects. What follows is my personal assessment of Shawn's qualities, free from embellishment, and with my no longer having any stake in the outcome. I am just offering these thoughts because he is a stellar person who would serve Bedford well.
1) He is very smart. Whether it was the details of a development permitting case, or crafting long-range planning and policy for the town, Shawn grasped everything rapidly and followed through accordingly.
2) He is passionately dedicated to community interests and never wavers from that standard. He always puts the greater good first, and that this is something to be greatly desired in making decisions large and small for the community.
3) He has real integrity, something that you always want in a public official.
4) He is simply a nice guy, a thoughtful and likable human being.
I think that about sums it up. He will make a terrific Select Board member.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Shawn Hanegan for over a decade and have had the privilege of working with him for the past year as a member of the Planning Board. I’ll be pleased to cast one of my Select Board votes for him at Town Election on March 12th.
Shawn exemplifies good government and effective leadership. He takes the time to become knowledgeable on the issues which come before him. He applies lessons learned from past experience to inform current decisions. He’s a leader who sees projects through to completion. He collaborates effectively and makes sure that all voices are heard. He doesn’t just listen to people who come to him, but takes the initiative to reach out to people who might not otherwise engage. He treats everyone with dignity and respect. He understands that successful public service is built on a foundation of trust within the community. Accordingly, he is open about his views, the actions he takes, and his reasoning behind them. In summary, he is deeply committed to serving the public good. That shines through in all that he does.
I would like to express my strong support for Shawn Hanegan for Select Board. I worked closely
with Shawn for five years on the Planning Board, and have seen him in action in numerous
arenas. Four key attributes come to mind when I reflect on Shawn as both a dedicated volunteer
and as a person:
First, Shawn is experienced. He began serving in town government soon after he and his family
moved to Bedford 10 years ago. Besides the Planning Board, which he now chairs, Shawn has
chaired the Community Preservation Committee, and he has also been a member of the
Transportation Advisory Committee and the Housing Partnership. He is intimately familiar with
Bedford’s strong community values and myriad strengths. He is also knowledgeable about its
challenges on many different fronts.
Second, Shawn is passionate. He believes town government plays a critical role in promoting
housing diversity, supporting economic development, addressing walking, biking, and other
transportation needs, and fulfilling the town’s net-zero goals. He cares deeply about ensuring that
Bedford is a town that works for everyone.
Third, Shawn is thoughtful. He has a long track record of responding to the concerns of myriad
stakeholders, including both residents and businesses. He is highly skilled at making nuanced,
balanced, creative decisions that take into account specific requests as well as the big picture.
And finally, Shawn is kind. He is patient and respectful, always listening carefully to everyone’s
views. In fact, he is the best listener I’ve ever encountered.
Bedford is fortunate to have such a great candidate for Select Board. Please join me in voting for
Shawn Hanegan in person on March 12, or by absentee ballot.
I will be giving my vote to Shawn Hanegan for Select Board, and I strongly encourage you to do so too. We have both served on the Planning Board for nearly a decade, and as the individual who possibly has the most experience seeing how Shawn performs in a town committee setting, I can say without reservation that Shawn is not only highly qualified to become a Select Board member, but also is deeply committed to the Town of Bedford. There are lots of reasons why Shawn has my vote, but to keep this letter from rambling, I will focus on two.
First, he listens and he cares what the citizens in Bedford want. Shawn is the person who always reminds the Board to ask for comments from citizens. He wants to know the opinions, needs, and concerns of any and all people; numerous times I have watched him listen carefully to an abutter with valid concerns, then ask for alterations to a plan to address those concerns. He looks for creative solutions to balance the needs – often conflicting needs – of all those involved and impacted.
Second, he is both experienced and knowledgeable about the complexities of municipal government. Many people do not understand that Boards must operate under numerous local, state, and federal legal constraints. Shawn does understand; his years serving on the Planning Board – as well as being a member of various committees – has given him the knowledge and experience to understand the ins and outs of town governance and the laws that guide it; he will enter office and get right down to business on the Select Board.
Please join me in casting your vote for Shawn Hanegan.
I am writing to support the elections of Emily Mitchell and Shawn Hanegan for the Select Board, Brad Morrison and Sheila Mehta-Green for School Committee, and Bea Brunkhorst for Board of Health. My primary reason for voting for these candidates is experience.
Candidates in elections often position themselves as “outsiders” or promise to “shake things up.” I prefer to vote for candidates with experience in the roles they will be taking on. Often this means voting for incumbents: Ms. Mitchell, Dr. Morrison and Dr. Brunkhorst. Bedford weathered the two years of the pandemic in good fiscal shape and with lower transmission and mortality rates than many others around us. This has only been possible through the leadership and coordination of our officials. I strongly prefer to continue to receive guidance from those who have been in the trenches throughout this crisis.
It is easy to criticize decisions from the outside and think there could have been better outcomes. However, our current Select Board, School Committee and Board of Health have collectively committed thousands of hours to weighing those decisions. They have repeatedly stayed late into the night to hear public comments, to discuss options with their colleagues and to review all available data from the necessary agencies. We might, individually, not have liked certain decisions or felt that they didn’t work for our specific situation: my children, my business or my household. However, leadership is not about making any one citizen happy with every decision. I believe Bedford handled the crisis better than most towns, and I believe our current leaders have operated in good faith to meet the needs of the Town as a whole.
Mr. Hanegan and Ms. Mehta-Green are not incumbents, but they have important and relevant experience needed for the offices they seek. Ms. Mehta-Green has worked with all of Bedford’s schools for years. She has consistently taken on leadership positions in the PTOs and SEPAC. Mr. Hanegan has served Bedford in numerous capacities, including Planning Board, which has given him the opportunity to work with the Select Board closely. I know them both to be good faith operators as well.
I urge my neighbors to vote for candidates who will lead with thoughtful consideration of all factors and then base their decisions on what will best serve the whole Bedford community. In my opinion, these are those candidates.
With a choice to be made in the upcoming vote for Select Board, I have used this opportunity to consider my expectations, my observations, and their qualifications. One expectation is that both individually, and as a group, the Select Board show determination to provide the best outcome for the Town. Another is that they listen to all input and work together, with the rest of town government and the residents, to achieve these favorable outcomes. They need to understand, and follow, how the Town government works in order to achieve results. I expect them to listen, comprehend, formulate, and lead.
My observations have been built over the last ten years of attending almost every Select Board meeting. I do not expect to agree with all their decisions, but want to see real effort in achieving consensus and progress. This applies to the lesser impact items as well as to the more pressing concerns that our town has and will face. It is through these meetings that I have also come to appreciate the value that experience in town government can bring to bear on effectively achieving results.
As a member of a town committee, I have had many opportunities over the years to interact with Shawn. Combining my direct experience, expectations and observations, I have come to the conclusion that I support Shawn Hanegan for a position on the Select Board. I have found him to be reasonable, knowing when to gather information and when to take action. He has shown that he knows how to achieve the needed results for the Town. I have never doubted that he is experienced, sincere, listens and is dedicated in his efforts for the best interests for the Town and its residents. I think that he would make a fine addition to the Select Board.
March 12 is election day here in Bedford, and I write to encourage you to consider seriously candidate Shawn Hanegan for Select Board. As you know, the Select Board is responsible for making decisions, along with the Town Manager and many other committees and boards, taking action to make those decisions come to fruition. Part of the reason I am so much in favor of Shawn’s candidacy is this complex leadership structure.
Shawn is a great learner. He examines problems for himself; he takes seriously comments that others give to him about the situation; he works to balance the interests of the various parties involved; when it’s time to vote, he votes his conscience when his process is complete. His years of experience with Town Planning Board have given Shawn both the perspective and connections that will enable him to take what he learns and use it effectively as a Select Board member.
Shawn also listens. I’d like to share an example here. One of my interests is the need of people with disabilities for affordable and accessible housing. I ’ve spoken at Planning meetings several times about the needs of people with disabilities for affordable and accessible housing. Shawn sits currently on Bedford’s Planning Board. His interest was piqued about what accessibility might mean and how principles of universal design might be used to influence future residential development in town. Shawn shared what he learned with other members of the Planning Board and has become an advocate in forums around issues of accessibility. He has asked clarifying questions, sought out references, and represents the access point of view in residential projects that come before the Planning Board.
Bedford has certainly changed over the 30 plus years that I’ve lived here, and change will continue in some form. I am confident that Shawn Hanegan will bring his energy and experience responding to changes to the Bedford Select Board, and I urge you to vote for him on March 12.
I am delighted to share with Bedford voters my unmitigated endorsement of Shawn Hanegan for the Select Board.
Having served with him on Community Preservation, the Housing Partnership and Municipal Affordable Housing Trust and having seen him running Planning Board meetings, I can testify that Shawn stands out as an intelligent, thoughtful, perceptive, circumspect, respectful, compassionate and empathetic force.
His affable and calm manner is sincere and conducive to productivity. He consistently brings everything we could hope for to every committee and community meeting he attends. He has excellent research and communication skills and steps up to provide extra guidance, information and work as a team member offering help even when not asked to do so and gladly doing so when asked.
It is always a pleasure to work with Shawn and I always know he will be on top of the issues, take in all perspectives, and make all feel heard and part of the process. I can assure you Shawn will continue to work very hard and that work will be for the greater good of all Bedford’s residents and our environment.
Thank you very much for reading and sharing this insight. I hope you will vote for Shawn Hanegan for the Select Board.
Dear friends, neighbors and those I’ve yet to meet,
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter in support of Shawn Hanegan for Select Board. My name is Elena Zorn; I’ve lived in Bedford for almost twelve years and have raised our Lane-School-aged kids with my husband Nick. I know Shawn in my capacity as a member of the Bedford Housing Partnership committee.
If you’re reading this, chances are you care about Bedford just as Shawn does. What you may not know about him is that he’s an excellent listener, very knowledgeable about our by-laws and the process of “getting stuff done”, and eager to help new people like me be effective participants in this government.
One example of my interactions with Shawn: When I had a question about whether a situation should be considered a conflict of interest, Shawn pointed me to the exact paragraph of the MA conflict of interest law that covered the topic, but noted how the question I posed was nuanced and deserved some consideration. He also pointed me to a phone number for free advice from a lawyer provided by the MA state government. I called the number and then felt confident in my interpretation. This is how he helped to empower me to make my own decision.
I mean this in a positive way - Shawn is a geek for government. He has my enthusiastic support for his candidacy for Select Board.
Check out his website: shawnforbedford.org
If you get a chance, please talk to him and form your own impression. I am confident you will find a promising candidate and he may just become your favorite.
