Heather Hamilton

I am running as an Independent because I don't identify with today's party system. Both parties are not consistent in their positions and values. It also sows the seeds of mistrust because it creates labels for groups and cuts them out of the conversation based on perception. All politics is local. I am interested in improving lives and helping people.

I am running for this office because for too long the Commissioners' Office has lacked sustainable, accountable, transparent management. I am the best candidate to provide what the Office needs because I've spent my entire career as a public servant focused on solving problems, not reinforcing the partisan divide. I care deeply about Norfolk County, and I want to give back as your Commissioner.

Priorities:

• Sustainability: Purchase green equipment for the Presidents Golf Course, retool county buildings to earn LEED certifications, and update the Norfolk Agricultural High School curriculum to include the latest in scientific consensus on climate change and environmental protection. Advocate against environmentally harmful projects afflicting the County, such as the Weymouth compressor station. Act with transparency in projects affecting County land, such as the Norfolk Aggie solar project.
• Accountability: Ensure full compliance with state procurement laws while minimizing the cost of running the county’s departments, an especially high priority as COVID-19 strains town budgets. Fully staff County agencies to get everything we're paying for, and explore paths to profitability for the Presidents Golf Course. Publish accurate budget numbers every single year, and either fill Commissioner-funded vacancies in the Engineering Department or allocate the money elsewhere.
• Transparency: Meet with all local elected officials to understand the needs of each community and to ensure the County is being responsive to their needs. Make meetings fully accessible, upload searchable agendas and minutes online, and post important documents such as the budget in easily accessible locations. Revamp the Norfolk Aggie website and record its School Committee meetings. Open hearings on agenda items to the public.
• Representation: Better reflect the diversity of Norfolk County by serving as the first independent Commissioner in living memory and the first female Commissioner in 30 years. Work toward parity in gender between employees of County-managed agencies. Currently only 10% of employees under the control of the Commissioners are women.