OPINION: Time spent as elections commissioner in Fall River was humbling

Daryl Gonyon is an elections commissioner and lives in Fall River.

I have been privileged and honored to serve as an elections commissioner since Mayor Sam Sutter appointed me in 2015, replacing Judge Aileen Belford. We have witnessed five years of political upheaval locally and nationally.

Although representing the Republican party by state law on the Fall River Board of Election Commissioners, I could not have gained that position without the strong support and continuing encouragement of state Senator Michael Rodrigues, D-Westport, and state Rep. Alan Silvia, D-Fall River, and numerous other community leaders of all political parties.

I am truly humbled by the many citizens who have shared their concerns with me, and by the positive suggestions from elections workers at all levels throughout the city.

As my final good wish for the Elections Department in Fall River, I want to encourage our community leaders to give their support and encouragement to our current department chair, Kelly Souza-Young. These are political times that test our souls, but Souza-Young is the right leader for these times. We are blessed to have her service to our community.

Daryl Gonyon

Fall River