When I was considering which candidate for city council in Ward 1, I knew there is one clear choice. I want a candidate who will fight for public safety and be willing to set goals and not be rubber stamp. I am supporting Joe Lazzerini for city councilor. I first met Joe when he knocked on my door, talking with him I found Joe to be knowledgeable, articulate and motivated to help the people of our city. We discussed the problems with the cell phone tower, and the issue of restoring Rescue 2 to full time status.

Restoring Rescue 2 (the ambulance) to full time status is important, and I give Joe a lot of credit for acknowledging that we may not get restoration funding quickly. That being said, just because we will not get more funds tomorrow does not mean we should just give up. Joe is going to keep up advocating for these funds and understands the tough times ahead. That's the kind of attitude that I think makes a good city councilor, knowing the situation and your limits but not refusing to continue on for your constituents.

That is why I am supporting Joe Lazzerini for city council, and I hope you will support him next Tuesday.

Marilyn Frank, South Attleboro

He'll give his all to school board I write in support of David Sidman and his run for the Ward 5 school committee position.

I have known Dave for several years and have always found him honest, ethical and straightforward. David is very active and respected in the community and is very much in touch with the issues facing the Attleboro schools.

Dave will give his all and advocate for the changes that the community demands. These include a pro-active, respectful school committee with nine individual minds working in unison for the best of our children. He will not just go with the flow to give the impression that all is well when it is not.

David is a problem solver in his profession and keeps his cool when the going gets tough. He never makes rash decisions, but thinks before he speaks. He is a team player who is open-minded and will work well with the rest of the committee.

Please vote for him as your next Ward 5 School Committee member.

Kevin Fontes, Attleboro

This candidate knows how to get things done

I am writing in support of Joe Lazzerini, candidate for Ward 1 city council. I have known Joe for four years and have always been impressed by his commitment and passion for helping his community. He had been organizing fundraisers and planning community clean-ups long before I met him. While he may lack "life experience," he certainly does not lack the knowledge of how to make things happen and is a wonderful example of how one person can truly make a difference when they make up their mind to do so. Joe is not your typical teenager and comparing him to other 18-year-olds does not do him justice.

Age aside, Joe is open minded, non-judgmental and willing to listen, qualities often lacking in government these days. He will focus on our needs as a community. I am proud to vote for Joe Lazzerini on Nov. 3.

Jennifer Krawiec, South Attleboro Rational approach best on issues in first ward

These are serious times for our local government. In the Sun Chronicle's Oct. 16 edition there were articles about thousands of personal bankruptcies in Bristol County, a $600 million shortfall in state revenue, and possible reductions in state aid.

This past Sunday, there were additional articles about the state revenue shortfall, and the increase in the number of past due tax bills.

I have read proclamations that the recession is over. However, for our town, the funding crisis is far from over. The coming two years will be the most challenging the city has faced in decades.

As a property owner and longtime resident, I have great concern about the abilities of the elected persons to meet these challenges. There is one race in particular which I have great concern about, councilor in Ward 1.

There have been recent articles written by both candidates. In a recent guest column, Joe Lazzerini stated his case for his election to Ward 1 city councilor. In his article, five times he says he will "fight."

Compare this to the article written by his opponent, Cherie Felos, who previously wrote a well researched reasoned article outlining opposing viewpoints before outlining her position.

From my perspective, the race in Ward 1 is between a seasoned, highly educated and mature individual and one who demonstrates his immaturity through his writings and actions.

Please fellow citizens, elect the best person who will be reasoned and rational in her approach to difficult issues that will need to be addressed in the next two. Please go to the polls and elect Cherie Felos.

Norman Fay, Attleboro

I'll cross party line for this candidate

Joseph Lazzerini has this Republican's support for Ward 1. Anyone whom knows Joe knows that his passion is for serving the people of this city. Joseph has a proven record of accomplishment of community involvement, being involved in attending and when appropriate speaking at city council meetings.

I and a few other Republicans are supporting him because of his previous efforts, desires, optimistic outlook, and explicit ethical values. At the end of the day, I know that many votes will be cast not because of party affiliation, but because Joseph Lazzerini has demonstrated the fortitude we all command in our representatives.

David Blessing, Attleboro

Choose independent candidates for Ward 5

Having served as a ward councilman for three terms, I know first hand what it takes to do the job. I believe In Ward 5 we have a very easy choice this year, John Davis.

John has proven time and again that his dedication to making Attleboro a better place to live, work and prosper has been paramount to his public service record. John is not one to vote on an issue just to follow what the administration is dictating. He has, and will, serve the people of Ward 5 with their best interest at heart.

Please join me in voting on Nov. 3, and voting for John Davis as our Ward 5 councilman.

Having been elected to public office six times I've had the pleasure of working with some very fine and capable elected officials. A public official that best exemplifies how one should act and serve their constituents is Fran Zito.

Fran's children have grown up and moved on, yet Fran has taken on the responsibility of working diligently on the Attleboro School Committee representing Ward 5. Serving for the good of each and every student in the Attleboro school system has always been Fran's commitment.

I urge all residents of Ward 5 to vote on Nov. 3, and please join me in voting for Fran Zito.

Dave Proulx, Attleboro

Candidate has proved his commitment to city

Please join me in voting Tuesday for Richard J. Conti for councilor at large.

Rick is a small business owner, college graduate and long time community activist, having led Attleboro non-profit, volunteer organizations and city committees for more than 26 years. Rick has a passion for serving this community.

Rick has served on: City of Attleboro Zoning Board, Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee, WE-CARE Downtown Development Committee, Fireworks Committee, Streetscape Committee, Millennium Committee, Tri-Centennial Committee, Master Plan Committee, Cultural Council, and Willett School Improvement Council. Rick has served the Attleboro Area Habitat for Humanity, the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, United Way & Knights of Columbus. Rick is past president of the Rotary Club, American Society of Appraisers Boston Chapter, Massachusetts Auctioneers Association, Attleboro Business Network International and New England Business Professional Association. Rick has volunteered for New Hope's Gourmet Guys & Wine Tasting, the Literacy Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Christmas is for Kids. Many nonprofit organizations have profited by Rick's talent as an auctioneer. With Rick's talent these organizations have benefited in the range of one million dollars.

Many of you may have seen Rick as a lector at St. John the Evangelist Church or as an on- camera auctioneer for WSBE Rhode Island PBS television.

As part of a team, Rick was instrumental in forming the Interact Club at the Attleboro High School.

In all endeavors Rick has brought positive results. Thus, among your options for city councilor at large, I believe Rick will do more with your vote.

Rick's commitment to service, proven results and his experience uniquely qualifies him to serve as your city councilor at large. Please vote Richard J. Conti councilor at large Tuesday.

Laurie Cook, Attleboro

City council needs her moral compass

As always, it is a pleasure for me and my family to support the continued work of Kim Allard in her position on the Municipal Council.

We came to know Kim in 2003, when she came forward, when no other council member would, to make some very difficult times tolerable for us. In doing so, Kim was crossing party lines, and risking alienation from her peers. For this, we will always be grateful.

Since this time, and especially over the past few years, I've personally been sickened by many articles in the local paper, assigning political motives for her every vote, or statement. The many who have been touched by Kim's care, drive, and experience know that nothing could be further from the truth. Through it all, she has never lost her internal compass, which always points to integrity.

This quote from the late President John F. Kennedy appears to sum up the values Kim that guide her in all matters:

"For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal." JFK June 10, 1963

I'd ask that all help ensure Kim Allard serves as many terms as she desires, while she continues to shape Attleboro's future as a member of our Municipal Council!

Steve Plumb, Attleboro

It's time to make changes on board

School Committee members represent the people of Attleboro and "work with" the superintendent of schools. It is my opinion that Jackie Romaniecki and Roberta Wuilleumier have failed this obligation! Both Romaniecki and Wuilleumier have spent the last three years defending (not supervising) the superintendent as our schools continue to fail and the turnover of faculty and staff continues to climb.

Under their "leadership" and discretion, we have a weakened school committee with a removal of powers and rights that the school committee of old used to have. They have supported/allowed the superintendent to sit at the front of the school committee meetings, where she is seen as the one "running the show" and creating the agenda. There is not only lack of communication under Romaniecki and Wuilleumier, but they do not question the multitude of mis-communication that has occurred.

With several resignations in our central office, principals leaving at an alarming rate and large numbers of staff and faculty leaving, Romaniecki and Wuilleumier have questioned nothing, but instead have been advocates for contract extension and pay raise for the superintendent.

As members of the Executive Committee, they have kept information from other school committee members.

They have discredited people in the community that have tried to voice their opinion; which include former Attleboro school employees as well as concerned parents in our community. Many have been scrutinized and disrespected by Romaniecki and Wuilleumier.

Togethe, Romaniecki and Wuilleumier violated the open meeting law when they (discussed) attempted to force former Superintendent Joel Lovering to resign back in 2006.

This is just one example of pettiness that has jeopardized the Attleboro schools.

The people of Attleboro have the opportunity to vote Jackie Romaniecki and Roberta Wuilleumier off the school committee. I urge you to consider their failed representation.

Frank D'Agostino, Attleboro

What if cell phone tower fell in South Attleboro?

I am writing in support of Joe Lazzerini for Ward 1 City Councilor.

In the Ward 1 race we have the opportunity to elect a city council representative who is going to listen. Someone who will support his neighbors and constantly fight for the people of Ward 1. I am impressed with one candidate: Joe Lazzerini makes effective choices.

On the cell tower issue, it had nothing to do with research, it is a safety risk. If the proposed tower is to fall it would land on a resident's home on Ashford Lane. I'm going to vote for Joe because he thinks about us first. He thinks about public safety and he's earned the public's trust. Please vote for Mr. Lazzerini on Nov. 3.

Ashley Dunphy, South Attleboro

Qualifications guide choice on ballot

By far, the most motivated and determined candidate for Ward 4 School Committee.

Ready and willing to give 100 percent to the Attleboro school community.

Encourages others to fight for what they believe is best for Attleboro schools.

Never buckles under pressure, but pursues her own and peers' beliefs.

Determined to provide the Attleboro community with the respect they deserve.

An advocate for education and wellness for all students in Attleboro.

For the above and numerous more reasons, I encourage the Ward 4 community t o vote for Brenda Furtado, school committee candidate, on Nov. 3.

Karyn M. Nisbet, Attleboro