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Preserve, Grow, and Improve

It was early morning on Nov. 5, when I pulled my truck into the parking lot at the Essex Town Hall. I stood there all day with my wife Yvette and my campaign manager, Samantha Barlow from Whatever You Say Productions, and I’ll never forget the sense of patriotism and duty that washed over me until the polls closed at 8 p.m. At 8:15, all of the candidates and their families filed inside, wet from the rain and anxious to hear the results.

I didn’t win. And I’ll admit the feeling was bittersweet. Throughout the duration of my campaign, I held firm to the promise I made from the start: Preserve, grow, and improve the Town of Essex, and earn a spot on the ballot and votes in my favor by respecting the hard work of the current elected officials and those who came before them. And although I didn’t win, I can still hold true to my commitment. Our small town has bountiful opportunities to get involved with different initiatives and efforts. Joining those committees and groups is what I am looking forward to doing next.

I want to thank everyone who came out to vote and those who sent in their ballots. To those who voted for me, thank you. It is my privilege to have earned their vote.

Our community is so special and my wife Yvette and I feel immeasurably fortunate to be part of it. Here’s to our town, its future, and all of us who wish to preserve, grow, and improve Essex.

Matthew Fleming

Ivoryton