Jordan Fiore for Taunton Zoning Board of Appeals

The Taunton Education Association asked candidates for school committee and mayor to submit statements that we could share with members via our page and our weekly newsletter. OUR SHARING OF THESE STATEMENTS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF ANY CANDIDATE. We hope to provide you with more information about each candidate so you can make an informed decision on Tuesday, November 7th. Please be sure to vote.

Charlene Fiore
Candidate for School Committee

Dear TEA members,
I am asking for your support in the upcoming election for Taunton School Committee. I am running because I have been a teacher in the Taunton School District for 30 years. I have been a special educator at the middle school and elementary levels, a general educator at the elementary level and a summer school teacher for preschool through grade 9. I have served on numerous curriculum revision committees. I have also been a Professional Day Trainer & Facilitator as well as an MCAS-alt trainer and scorer.

Having retired in June 2022 I know what it is like being an educator now versus 30 years ago. I have experienced your frustration and have first hand knowledge of the mental health, social and emotional needs of our students and how that reflects on the mental health, social and emotional needs of our faculty. I know that you went into teaching to instruct, inspire and influence students to grow to their full potential but face struggles each day trying to accomplish this.

At this year's back to school convocation, Superintendent John Cabral asked the question: What is your ‘why’ for what you do?
Here is my Why for running for school committee:
I have always been passionate about quality education for all students.

I continually want to make a difference and be a voice for those who are unable to voice their needs and concerns.

I have compassion for students who struggle and want them to have what they need to overcome that struggle.

I rejoice with, and for, students who accomplish goals, dreams, and great success. Great success may be learning to read, running cross country, playing on a winning team, performing in theater productions, conquering difficult math concepts,creating prize winning art pieces, etc cooking a delectable meal or attending the college or technical school of their dreams.Ultimately a strong public school education can help our students succeed in any dream they have.

I have compassion for teachers who love to teach, love their students, and find creative methods and approaches to reach all students. I have experienced their struggle.

I respect and support administrators who strive each day to provide educational settings that inspire both students and staff to be and do their best.

I respect and support parents who want the best education for their children.

I am deeply concerned about the mental health, social emotional needs of the children in our school system and how that impacts their classmates and their teachers’ well being.

Ultimately, I want to be part of the decision making process.
I want to be a voice for education that supports students, families, teachers, and administrators, as we work together to provide quality public education.

Thank you all for reading this and giving me the opportunity to share with you my passion for serving the community by having a position on the Taunton School Committee. To offer support for my campaign or ask me a question please reach out to me at [email protected] or on facebook: Charlene Fiore for Taunton School Committee or instagram:charlene_fiore_taunton_schools

Respectfully submitted,
Charlene Fiore

Taunton citizen and Retired teacher, Jane Rogers Santos, sent this message:

I have know Charlene Fiore as both a friend and colleague. She is driven, passionate and always strives for the best for all Taunton's children. She would be an asset to Taunton's School Committee. Vote Charlene Fiore, An Educator for Public Education!

Please vote for a man that knows Taunton, knows the laws, knows the history behind the laws, and has dedicated his life to public service in Taunton! Jordan Fiore for Taunton Zoning Board of Appeals

My daughter realized that she has been in more pictures with her mother than with me , so she did this selfie with me at the Democrats ‘ candidate’s night . See, she does have two parents running for office this year .

I am going to need all of my peeps to educate the voting public about my campaign . Most people don’t know the Zoning Board of Appeals from the planning board . I did serve two terms on the planning board a few years ago , but right now I am running for the Zoning Board of Appeals because the only lawyer on the board passed away.. My name is almost impossible to find on the ballot and comes after two other challengers who will get a lot more votes than I will . Still , I know a lot of people want to vote for me , but they need to know the right office and how to find me . PLEASE HELP !

My dear friend Councilor Estele Borges complained that she could not access my ZBA page to endorse me , so I thought I would give her a hand. Obviously , the endorsement goes both ways and I urge a vote for Estele, too .

Listen to “Hometown Talk” with Tony Lopes tomorrow from 9-10 am on WVBF 1530 AM & 99.7 FM to hear Jordan Fiore and me discuss why we’re running for office this year. https://www.radio.net/s/wvbf

If you can, come and support me and the other candidates tonight at IBEw Union Hall, 475 Myles Standish Blvd!

The City Election will be held November 7, 2023 from 7am to 8pm.

The Taunton Elections Department would like to share the following information:

Early Voting Hours: https://taunton-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3088/In-Person-Early-Voting-Notice-for-2023-City-Election

View Sample Ballot: https://taunton-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3114/MA-Taunton-City-Election-110723_FINAL-SAMPLE-BALLOT

Check Voter Status: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/voterregistrationsearch/myvoterregstatus.aspx

Register to Vote: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/

Request a Vote by Mail Application: https://taunton-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3019/Vote-by-Mail-Application-

Election Announcements : https://taunton-ma.gov/826/2023-City-Election

For more information regarding the 2023 City Election, please reach out to the Elections Department at 508-821-1044 or email [email protected]

My last-minute campaign for the Zoning Board of Appeals presents some interesting challenges. I was going to concentrate on getting my wife elected to succeed me on the school committee and that is still my primary goal. However, I thought the voting public might feel a need of me when the only attorney on the city’s zoning board of appeals passed away unexpectedly. I did not really want to leave elected government and saw a wonderful opportunity. However, so did a current member of the city council, as well as a very popular former one. I had announced that I was not out to “get” anyone but now I am in a position where my candidacy is threatening or ticking people off, the exact opposite of what I was hoping for. For the first time since I began running for office at the age of twenty-two, I am best characterized as a longshot.
The zoning board of appeals has never been regarded as sexy and people don’t generally whip themselves into a frenzy over it. Besides the fact that the race draws little attention, I also have a near impossible position on the ballot in a race where most people vote straight up or down the list and don’t pay a lot of attention to challengers unless they have a special relationship with them.
However, the people have usually seen fit to have at least one attorney on the board and I am the only one running. Some people may find it refreshing to run the board without a lawyer on it, but I can tell you that most members of the board and people who do business with the board don’t feel that way. To those of you who have been with me in the past, I need you now more than ever. Casual observers also need to know that knowledge and decision-making experience really count on this board and that my years in the legal profession and in public office in the City of Taunton have given me a lot of both. There are plenty of other good people running, but the city really needs me in the mix for the board to operate at its best. Please don’t take this race or me for granted. Cast your vote for me and tell all your family and friends. Thank you.