Greetings!

My name is Andy Hogeland, and I’m running for re-election to the Williamstown Select Board. I have lived in Williamstown with my wife Anne since 1994, and this is where we’ve raised our three daughters who all attended Williamstown Elementary School and graduated from Mount Greylock Regional School. I bring my background as a practicing attorney for over 30 years and service on several Williamstown boards and committees.

I believe local government is the best way I can contribute to and participate in our community. I enjoy working on problems collaboratively, where we can all listen carefully and respectfully to those with different perspectives, where everyone can develop a greater understanding of complex issues, and where the results of our efforts can be visible and tangible. Over the years, I have learned that whenever I encounter opposing perspectives, everyone’s point of view contains elements of merit that deserve serious consideration.

My goal is to weave these legitimate concerns into a thoughtful solution that can be widely (even if not universally) accepted. It’s important to me that even those who “lose” an argument will always know that their concerns were carefully heard, understood, and considered. Especially on complicated and controversial issues, I’m often a “late decider” because I want to thoroughly understand and reflect upon all the legitimate elements before trying to formulate the preferred solution. I believe that in any disagreement, the goal should not be to win; the goal should be to reach the best possible resolution. If you perceive me as quiet, it’s usually because I’m listening and thinking.

I am motivated to improve how our local government works and to ensure that we bring a thoughtful and equitable approach to serving all the members of this community.

In the last few years, I have also expanded my work beyond my responsibilities on the Select Board to help address major constraints and roadblocks that are imposed upon our Town and our region by the State of Massachusetts. As the recently-elected president of the statewide Massachusetts Select Board Association and as a member of the Governor’s Local Government Advisory Commission, I am increasingly aware of the importance of making sure our local and regional problems are understood and appreciated by State authorities. I have been advocating for statewide reforms targeted to mitigating the unequal treatment that rural and Western Massachusetts has long received - especially for our schools, transportation and housing.

Continuing as a member of the Select Board would allow me to continue speaking up for Williamstown and other rural towns in my role as president of the Massachusetts Select Board Association and as a member of the state’s Local Government Advisory Commission. If re-elected to the Williamstown Select Board, I will not only continue to serve our community directly, but can also continue to advocate for our Town at the State level and thus hopefully make a greater difference for our community.

If you’d like to discuss any concerns or questions, please contact me at andyhogeland@gmail.com.

Many thanks-

Andy

SEE BELOW PARTS 1-10 FOR MORE DETAILS REGARING MY EXPERIENCE AND PRIORITIES