Editor,

I would like to share my personal experience working with mayoral candidate Sharon Emerson. The woman I know is confidant, decisive, compassionate and hardworking. I have worked closely with her for about a year and when I first met her I was a little intimidated. She is an intelligent woman who voices her opinions clearly and she is knowledgeable on a wide range of topics.

I wasn’t sure how she would react to my differing points of view. However, what I found was a remarkable woman that was willing to change her opinion when given new information that she hadn’t considered. In my experience that is truly rare. She doesn’t change her opinion on whim, but if she discovers that she has missed an important piece of information she will, at the very least, reconsider her point of view rather than stubbornly holding to her position.

Given how decisive she is, I have underestimated her compassion on more than one occasion. I have gone to her to ask her advice about dealing with people who were in crisis. Prior to talking to her, I had assumed I knew her opinion only to be surprised by how kind, gentle and compassionate she can be to those in need. I am certain that I am not the only person who has underestimated her.

Her critics may say she is too opinionated. I would counter that she is capable of articulating a point of view and enjoys a good debate. Some say she is hard to get along with. I would suggest that they take the time to actually talk to her. They will find that she is actually very considerate, funny and engaging. Most surprising of all, she isn’t unmovable. Her opinion can be changed if you have the right facts to back it up.

Sharon Emerson is a woman who is willing to discuss a wide range of topics, research her opinion, consider other peoples’ points of view, re-evaluate and even change her position if presented with new information. She is decisive and willing to make hard choices when she has to, yet compassionate to those in need. I really can’t think of traits that I would want more in an elected official.

Thank you for your time,

BETH RAHI

Clinton