We-Ha.com welcomes Letters to the Editor from the public, including endorsements, but letters submitted by political candidates 60 days prior to an election will not be published. Please provide your name and town, as well as your phone number at the end of the letter. Phone numbers will not be published but are required in case verification is needed. Please submit letters to [email protected].

To the Editor,

A few years ago, when I moved my family to West Hartford, I was fortunate to meet Adrienne Billings-Smith and her wife when our children were classmates. In the time that I have known Adrienne, she’s evolved into a driven community leader making a difference for our town while still being a hard-working mom and businesswoman. I am awed by the work she’s done and the things she’s been able to accomplish in a short amount of time, including:

• Founding Concerned Parents of Color of West Hartford whose mission is to advocate, propose and effectuate positive and productive change in education, legislation and representation in West Hartford. CPCWH provides a safe space for parents and families of color and welcomes all who believe in the mission and want to help make West Hartford stronger and more inclusive of BIPOC voices.
• Being selected as a board member of the newly formed Town of West Hartford Civilian Police Review Board.
• Helping our town not just officially recognize Juneteenth, a date that has come to be synonymous with the end of African slavery in the United States, but celebrate it. Adrienne has now organized the annual town-wide celebration for two years running.

If Adrienne sees a gap, a need or someone whose voice needs amplifying, she makes things happen and gets things done. She’s an advocate that makes you feel heard and cared for. I feel lucky that I choose to move my family to a town with leaders like her who step up to make things fair and right. I believe, if elected to Town Council, Adrienne will continue to work hard for our citizens and our town.

I’ll be voting for Adrienne Billings-Smith on November 2 and I hope you will too.

Thank you,

Jenn Ford
West Hartford