Years ago, Roxann Wedegartner and I were political opponents, running for the same state representative seat, and I got to know her well. Over the years, Roxann and I have sometimes disagreed, but as a lifelong public servant, I know that Roxann and I share a deep commitment to Greenfield and its citizens.
At age 25, I served as Greenfield’s youngest selectman. I was state representative for seven years and have served as Franklin County’s register of probate since 2002. One of my most fulfilling roles has been on the Opioid Task Force, which I co-founded 10 years ago. The task force works to address the devastation that opioid misuse causes to families in our community. Roxann has been a key partner, committed to our ongoing efforts to secure grants and resources to help with this important work.
Roxann listens. She does her homework. She surrounds herself with an experienced team of dedicated professionals who support the complex work that comes with being the CEO of a small city like Greenfield.
As mayor, I have watched Roxann work to educate herself about all facets of an issue, and based on all of the information, act decisively.
She has lowered taxes, worked to expand the tax base, built a new library, fire station, skate park, and housing, and much more.
This record of accomplishments would be remarkable even without the global pandemic that hit during her third month in office. Roxann — and her team — achieved projects that are already improving the lives of Greenfield residents while simultaneously leading a multi-pronged COVID response.
Roxann has proven herself to be the best and most qualified candidate for the job.
It’s clear to me that Virginia “Ginny” DeSorgher is not equipped to be our mayor. She lacks experience and qualifications, and offers no concrete plans or proposals. It would be irresponsible to elect her because she “seems nice.”
A sitting mayor has established a record, through decision-making and very often through compromise. That is how to get things done, and Roxann has gotten things done. Compromise stems from disagreement. As someone who has held elected office most of my life, I know that you can’t get things done without sometimes disagreeing, and not everyone is going to like your decisions. That comes with the territory.
As I have watched the campaigns, I have been deeply troubled by the recurring themes of DeSorgher’s bid to become mayor. Her dangerous misunderstanding of municipal processes has translated into accusations of malfeasance. She has aimed near-constant attacks on the integrity of our city’s staff.
Pretending you can ignore the city’s insurance company, lawyers and police union to satisfy the urge to find a simple solution makes Ginny unfit to be mayor. As does her inconsistency and duplicity — voting twice to defund the police to please the left and touting public safety to please the right.
As register of probate, I ran on a platform that prioritizes our families. Good governance matters, and a well-functioning government is a basic necessity. In stark contrast to Ginny’s divisiveness, Roxann has made good governance — for all of Greenfield’s citizens — a bedrock of her administration. Not only do I worry that we will backslide on all the progress Roxann has made, I worry that our city government will fall apart under DeSorgher.
We have come too far despite the challenges we have faced. I want our city to keep moving forward, and for that reason I ask that you join me in ensuring that Roxann Wedegartner is reelected as our mayor.
John F. Merrigan is Franklin County’s register of probate and lives in Greenfield.