Dear Editor,
Not often have I supported a candidate for public office, however, I feel strongly that the next town moderator should be someone who has deep roots in this community. That candidate who I believe will be a great town moderator is Robert Peterson, Jr. I knew Rob’s grandfather, Herb Peterson, who served the Town of Wilmington as a great and efficient police officer, Rob’s uncles, Stephen and Jim, who themselves are attorneys, not to mention his Dad, Bob, Sr. as well. His aunt’s husband is a member of the Massachusetts State Police. It seems that law enforcement and those who are officers of the court run in the family’s bloodstream. Put that all aside, the candidate, Rob Peterson, Jr. has accomplished a lot for someone who I believe is a very mature 28 year old man. He’s a lifelong resident, member of the Wilmington Rotary, a youth hockey coach, member of the Wilmington Chamber of commerce, just to name a few, and the list goes on and on. Additionally, he’s a full time attorney. Last year moderator James Stewart, who by the way I served with as a fellow member on the board of selectmen, went on to became our town moderator and has served for the past 25 years. There was one article that Moderator Stewart needed to recuse himself and therefore the now candidate Rob Peterson, Jr. filled in for Mr. Stewart at last year’s town meeting. I was quite impressed then and even more impressed now on how he handled himself.
I would like to address a few things that Rob’s opponent Candidate Martinson has said. Mr. Martinson stated in a roundabout way that Candidate Peterson is only 28 years old and was handed a free ride on his father’s coat tails. Nothing could be further from the truth. Bob Sr. certainly did not take Rob’s exams and tests during law school and Bob Sr. did not take the bar exam for his son. He works in his father’s law office. So what? I’ll go one step further–Mr. Martinson alluded to the fact that Rob is only 28 years old trying to make him appear too young, immature and incapable of holding this position. Again, nothing could be further from the truth. I know two individuals younger than 28 years old when they first took public office and still hold public office to this day and are now in their fifties. These two people are Town Moderator James Stewart and myself, Selectman Michael McCoy, and we both believe in and fully endorse Candidate Rob Peterson for Moderator.
I believe if you join with me and vote for Robert Peterson Jr. as your next town moderator, he will guide town meeting in a fair and impartial way just like he did last year. He’s our future and I believe in his own right, he will demonstrate independence and his ability to hold his own in town government.
Very truly yours,
Selectman Michael V. McCoy
Wilmington Apple 