SALEM GAZETTE
OPINION: Salem City Clerk offers thanks(giving)
Simons reflects on 2020, expresses debt of gratitude after extraordinary election season
Ilene Simons
As the holiday season approaches, it's been difficult to find many things in 2020 to be thankful for, but after giving it more thought, I am thankful for you.
Along with many of you, my job changed dramatically since the pandemic hit. Whoever heard of the word "Zoom" before (except maybe for the Public Broadcasting Station 1970's television show)? Already preparing and gearing up in January for a very busy 2020 election season, and then having to change course midstream due to new election laws making state primary and presidential elections even more challenging, was quite overwhelming.
Massachusetts becoming a "vote by mail" state was unprecedented. I was amazed by the outpouring of support and the willingness from others to help during this unchartered time.
I'm thankful to my wonderful staff whose dedication and commitment to this year's elections was invaluable. They worked countless hours, days, nights and weekends to make sure this election went off without a hitch.
In addition, with the support of my City Council and Mayor Kim Driscoll, I was able to add additional part-time help and volunteers. This core group of people also worked tirelessly assisting in numerous tasks that needed to be done in a timely fashion. I can say with certainty, that not only were they dedicated Salem residents, they also became my friends.
Although given the option to opt out of working the polls, almost all of my regular poll workers Election Day but during a total of 21 days of early voting. Without them, these elections would not have been the same. To them, I owe a gratitude of thanks.
I was also lucky enough to have received hundreds of emails from people willing to step in wherever needed. I met and talked to a lot of nice new people I never would have had the chance to meet. Some of my new recruits will now be part of my regular team.
I'm also lucky to work with an outstanding group of people in the city. During my 20 years of service in the Office of the Salem City Clerk, I learned it takes more than just our office to run an election. I always say, "It takes a village," but this year really showed people come together as a community when situations get tough.
I think every department had a hand in making the elections run smoothly: Parks and recreation, public services, police, fire, building, city council, the mayor's office, human resources, legal, health, IT, collectors, finance, COA, schools, the Board of Registrars and my election working group, to name a few, all stepped up and assisted me in whatever I needed without hesitation.
I also would like to give a shout out to our local Salem Post Office for working with us diligently to deliver and return voters' ballots quickly and with ease. I am thankful to each and every one of you for everything you did.
Thank you to the residents and voters of Salem who trusted in my office to handle this election with the integrity and the importance it demanded.
Thank you to all the other 350 city and town clerks and the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth thank you for being there. There's comfort in knowing others are in this with you.
And lastly, thank you to my family and friends for understanding my commitment and dedication to my job and for disappearing for the last few months.
This election will go down as one of the most historical elections in our country's history, and you can be proud to say you were part of it. Saying "thank you" seems hardly enough to say.
Yes, many sad and terrible things happened this year, but to remember the good - the caring, the friendships, the humanity and the "we are all in it together" - is just as important to celebrate and to be thankful for in 2020.
I wish all of you and your families a healthy, safe and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.