I would like to thank the Essex Media Group for the honor of being named “Person of the Year” for Marblehead. While it’s truly an honor to receive such an award amongst the esteemed and impressive recipients from our surrounding communities, the recognition must be shared with the following 17 members of the Abbot Public Library Advocacy Committee who contributed their time and talents to join me and the Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees to get our town’s citizens to vote in favor of the override to repair and renovate our beloved library:
Annie Rockwell
Cheryl Byrne
Courtney Kelly
Courtney Munroe
Doug Hill
Elaine Leahy
Kate Brooks
Kelley Braun
Kim Girard
Laurie Flowers
Lolli Leeson
Maeve Rice
Meryl Thompson
Molly Bushman
Molly Williams
Patricia Rockett
Rich Bowen
Each and every one of them said YES without hesitation when I asked for their help to save our library.
I would also like to acknowledge Nancy Perkins Arata and Phyllis Smith, the dynamic and tireless past chairs of the Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees for tapping me to lead the advocacy efforts.
They kept the library going and laid the groundwork for the public-private partnership campaign that led to the ultimate success in passing the override. They established the Abbot Public Library Foundation (APLF) which raised $1 million towards the $9.5 million cost of the library renovation project.
And as we promised the generous taxpayers who supported the override, APLF will continue to raise $2 million towards ensuring that the newly renovated library will continue to be maintained and updated as needed.
We will work with the Town to take care of the taxpayers investment in our most important public building in our community.
And finally, the true “Person(s) of the Year” belongs to my family: my incredibly supportive and loving husband, Ken Fisher and our wonderful children, Elina and Mack Fisher who inspire me everyday to make a positive difference; and my amazing parents and role models, Y.B. and Sun Chun, proud Korean-American citizens of this generous country who taught me to be kind and fearless in caring for others and doing my part to make my community better.
Sincerely,
EuRim Chun