Written May 7, 2023
You Did It!
John VanScoyoc, Select Board
Dear Friends —
It’s been five days, and I am still reeling. Thursday morning, in an email to a supporter, here’s how I described the final hours of Election Day, May 2:
“I remained optimistic until the end of the day, fortified myself with a nap prior to the final 90 minutes, and then gathered with a dozen or so supporters at Washington Square Tavern to await results. Chaos. The tavern was filled with customers who had no connection to our small gathering. Loud talk made it impossible to hear the election coverage from our laptop screens. Larry O. walked in and greeted me with arms outspread and kept repeating: John .... John... John. The hour was approaching 9:30 when I finally connected to Tommy V.'s live show on Brookline BIG to acknowledge victory, issue congratulations, and answer questions (softballs, thankfully). Please keep me focused on Truth and Justice if ever I stray.”
Here’s a photo of the scene at the tavern:
And here’s the moment when I stepped outside to answer the call from the producer at BIG who confirmed that I was in first place (by a mere 200 votes) in the final, unofficial vote count.
In the days since, I’ve had chance encounters with several of you who helped me with donations, lawn signs, endorsements, or some combination. My first words are always the same, “You made all the difference!” In church earlier today, during the exchanges of peace (greetings), I blurted out to a friend who had put out signs in the final days, “You saved me.”
“Saved me” was stretching things, but that’s how much gratitude I feel. I am fortunate to have you, and so is Brookline. You believe in local “small d” democracy, and you came through with a turnout (12,000+ ballots) that is a new high for an annual town election in this still-young century.
Please keep doing what you do for the Town. Brookline needs you. In return, I promise to do my best for you every day of my second term. Hold me to it. And please accept my thanks.
— yours, John
Final Four Days: Why Elections Matter
Help to GROW THE VOTE with this sample “Dear Friend” email text (personalized for greater effectiveness.)
Dear Friend,
As a supporter of John VanScoyoc’s campaign for re-election to the Select Board, I’m contacting my email friends to urge you to vote for John in the Tuesday, May 2 Town Election.
Of the many testimonials supporters have offered on John’s behalf, these stand out:
“John has worked tirelessly to make Brookline a better place. He listens, communicates, and delivers.” — John Shreffler, TMM 17, Co-President Friends of Hall’s Pond
“John has been a voice of logical reasoning, sound judgment, and fiscal probity; non-ideological and pragmatically realistic to his core.” — Stanley and Diana Spiegel, Pct. 8 TMMs
“John brings an extraordinary amount of knowledge, experience, and common sense to every issue that Brookline faces.” — Sean Lynn-Jones, Town Meeting Member, former Advisory Committee Chair
“John addresses constituent issues with honesty and dedication. For me, most important is the leadership he has shown on climate change.” — Andrew Fischer, Town Meeting, Precinct 13
We need John’s experienced leadership more than ever.
Please join me in voting for John VanScoyoc for Select Board..
Learn more at johnvanscoyoc.com.
Sign up for John’s weekly newsletter at www.goodgovernmentforbrookline.com.
Values Worth Fighting For
John VanScoyoc, Select Board
With four days remaining until May 2, I have some fearless predictions to offer:
My endorsers will number at least 208 friends from Brookline. The list is still growing.
Visibility, as measured by 200 “Re-Elect John VanScoyoc” signs all over Town, will be at a peak. (I had to order another 50 signs just this week.)
Friends by the dozen will be spreading the word by email and conversations with neighbors. I’ve made it easy to do so by providing a sample “Dear Friend” text on my website.
And here is my personal favorite prediction, because it speaks to my values.
I will have kept my pledge to limit donations to a cap of $250 per person, and my supporters will have shown their appreciation by writing small check after small check after small check.
Result?
Just as in 2020 (my first campaign), I’ve proven that anyone can aspire to serve on the Select Board — and can afford to serve — without having to rely on wealthy donors or exhorbitant personal spending. (Campaign finance reports show one candidate has written $40,000 in checks to her own campaign.)
Because I’m getting maximum value from your donations, you can trust me to do the same with your tax dollars.
Thank you for making it possible for me to fight for the value of local elections that offer equal opportunity to all to participate.
My final plea is this: Take the step that will reinforce the positive values you have supported throughout this campaign:
VOTE!
By the time I send this, there will be two hours remaining to vote early in person at Town Hall (closes at 12:30).
If you received a ballot by mail, you can deposit it in the drop-off box at Town Hall through election day.
Voting on Tuesday, May 2 is precinct-by-precinct, from the hours of 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. You can locate your precinct and voting place here.
For the next four days, make our local democracy stronger. GROW THE VOTE. You will be glad you did.
Thank you, Climate Forward Brookline
A newly-formed group of several of Brookline’s most recognized leaders of climate advocacy issued endorsements this week in townwide contests and Town Meeting races.
I’m grateful and proud to have received their endorsement.
Town Meeting colleague Andrew Fischer, wrote this in seconding the Climate Forward Brookline endorsement:
“John has been the leader on the Board in the fight to make Brookline fossil fuel free and to limit the impact of climate change. John has also been responsive to the traffic and safety issues on upper Washington Street and in our neighborhoods and in addressing the problems created in our neighborhood from the ongoing construction projects. While I do not always agree with John, I respect his honesty and integrity… “
Thank you, Andrew!