I am pleased to support and endorse Mary Jo LaFreniere and Shahidul Mannan for our Select Board in Hopkinton. I have had the pleasure of working with both of them during my career of service. I am inspired by both and their commitment to volunteering on these boards and the service that they provide for us all. Mary Jo and Shahidul are driven by a desire to serve their community.

Mary Jo is a proven dedicated volunteer and knowledgeable civil servant. In Hopkinton, we have been fortunate to have her knowledge and expertise applied to serve us in many volunteer positions that have helped the community for decades. Her knowledge of municipal finance and general government has served to significantly strengthen the Select Board in its decision making. She has shown a drive and dedication to support our community and bring us all together.

Shahidul is brilliant when it comes to municipal finance. His questions posed while on the Appropriation Committee showed how much thought he puts into the budget process and financial responsibility on behalf of the town. It also shows how much he cares about the services provided to the community. We would be fortunate to have his expertise and broad background set in continued and expanded service to the community.

We are so fortunate to have amazing volunteers who want to support our community in so many ways. I am grateful that we have these two running to serve as a part of the Select Board and inspired by their commitment to continually improving our town. Please join me in voting for Mary Jo LaFreniere and Shahidul Mannan at the Annual Town Election on May 16th. Together we will move our amazing community forward while ensuring no one is left behind in that mission.

— Connor B. Degan, Hopkinton

Editor’s note: The opinions and comments expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Independent. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and must include the writer’s name and contact information for verification. Letters should be relevant and not primarily for the purpose of promoting an organization or event. Letters may be edited by the Independent staff for space, errors or clarification, and the Independent offers no guarantee that every letter will be published. For a schedule of deadlines for letters and other submissions for the print edition, click here.