Gachignard: ‘a commonsense approach’ [The Salem News, Beverly, Mass.]

Oct. 30--SALEM -- With eight years of experience on the School Committee, Norene Gachignard says she would be able to hit the ground running as a city councilor.

Gachignard got involved as a parent activist at Saltonstall School, coordinating volunteer activities for the Friday Club. That led to her successful run for School Committee, where she served from 2000 to 2007. She made an unsuccessful run for councilor-at-large in 2007.

More recently, she has been active on the board of directors of the Salem Theatre Company.

Gachignard, a registered nurse, said she'd bring a no-nonsense personality, commitment and compassion to the City Council.

"Like many people who are running this year, I'm a little frustrated with the performance of the current board," she said. "I'd bring a commonsense approach, which I think is sorely lacking. ...

"I'm a no-nonsense kind of person. I'm not getting into this race for self-aggrandizement, to push an agenda or settle a score. I'm in this because I care about Salem; I'm focused on the city ... willing to listen, work hard and lead."

She thinks there's room for more civility, particularly in public.

"You have your hardscrabble fights in private," she said, "and when you're in public, you're polite."

"I'm not a grudge holder," she said. "... I'm very passionate about everything I do. I only do what I really care about."

NORENE GACHIGNARD Address: 16 Buchanan Road Age: 55 Employment: Registered nurse, works part time at MassGeneral for Children at North Shore Medical Center in Salem and teaches nursing at North Shore Community College Education: Lynn Classical High School; nursing degrees from St. Anselm College (1980) and Salem State College (1990) Family: Widowed; one adult daughter Elected offices held: Salem School Committee, 2000 to 2007 Community involvement: President, Massachusetts Teachers Association chapter at North Shore Community College; president, board of directors of Salem Theatre Company; sings at St. Anne's Church; member of the Ethics Advisory Committee at North Shore Medical Center If elected, will you take the city's health insurance? No Pastime: Music and theater

___

(c)2013 The Salem News (Beverly, Mass.)

Visit The Salem News (Beverly, Mass.) at www.salemnews.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services