The local election will be April 1, 2023. In order to inform eligible voters and empower them with the information they need to both show up at the polls and make an educated decision once they get there, I’ll be profiling candidates for election. I complete these profiles by interviewing the candidates and then writing up our conversation in a conversational format.
Other ways to learn more about your candidates and the election:
- Burlington Equity Coalition Aggregated Election Links
- BNEWS Election Center
- Town Clerk Website (view your sample ballot here)
This is one of two candidate profiles for the contested Recreation Commission race. Click a name below to read about the other candidates.
Lindsay Carlson grew up in Chelmsford and has been living in Burlington with her husband and two children for fifteen years. She believes her perspective as a mom and consumer of Recreation Department programs and facilities will set her up for success on the Recreation Commission.
Lindsay has participated in many recreational activities with her children, and now that they’re a little older and more independent, she was looking for a way to participate more in the town. Her husband is on Town Meeting, and when she saw an open seat on the Recreation Commission, it seemed like the perfect way to contribute.
Recreation Commission appeals to Lindsay because so many derive enjoyment from the programs and facilities provided and maintained by the Recreation Department. Furthermore, as a mom and patron, she can add a voice that is not currently represented on the commission and provide perspective from the consumer side.
Lindsay sees a lot of great things going on with recreation in Burlington. The therapeutic recreation program was a game-changer, she says, and she’s also pleased with how Recreation has incorporated feedback from residents into future programming decisions. They are continuously expanding their offerings, and Lindsay credits this to their openness to feedback. She also loves the sheer volume of programs, parks, and facilities and the helpfulness and responsiveness of the staff.
At the same time, Lindsay does see some ways the department can continue developing to bring in more revenue and meet the needs of more residents. She believes we’re missing an opportunity to host more tournaments. With improved fields and facilities—and more turf options—we could be considered as a host, generating more funds for the town (which could then go toward maintenance and improvement costs) and foot traffic & revenue for local businesses. Corporate sponsorships are another as-yet little-explored way to generate funding to support future improvements.
We should also be looking into supporting emerging sports like cricket and badminton, Lindsay says. And she wants to be sure our registration technology continues to be advanced enough to keep up and ensure things run smoothly on those high-demand registration days.
Lindsay believes her perspective as a mother, as well as her work in marketing and customer service, make her stand out in this race. She has experience working on a tight budget and determining the best way to balance the needs of all parties to solve problems creatively; she feels these skills are in line with the work of a Recreation Commissioner.
The local election is on April 1, 2023, and early voting is being held during business hours at Town Hall until March 31.
