I am writing to express my wholehearted support for my husband, Paul Joy, as he campaigns for the Belmont Select Board. And although I am not yet a U.S. citizen and cannot vote, I believe in Paul’s vision and commitment.
Paul and I were married in 2012, and we have raised our three children—all of whom attend Belmont Public Schools—with a strong sense of community and civic responsibility. I was born in China and met Paul in 2009 in Beijing. When we first moved to Belmont, our circle of friends was small, but after the challenges of the pandemic, he became actively involved through the Economic Development Committee, as a Belmont soccer coach, and then as a Town Meeting member.
What sets Paul apart is his genuine care for others. This past fall, when Belmont Soccer needed more in-town third- and fourth-grade boys soccer coaches, Paul stepped up to ensure the children had a positive experience. And there are hundreds of other examples as well–from when he takes our kids to the Science Museum, the JFK Library, when we visit Washington, DC, and especially this past summer when his mother passed from pancreatic cancer. He was a constant source of comfort for our kids, his siblings, his father, and his entire extended family.
As a part-time preschool teacher at Belmont Cooperative Nursery School (BCNS) and a Mandarin Chinese teacher for K-2 students in Wellington’s After School Enrichment (ASE) program, I see daily how a caring, proactive approach makes all the difference. I may not be able to vote (YET), but I stand behind Paul 100%. I urge all those who can vote on April 1st to support Paul Joy for Select Board and help build a brighter future for Belmont.
Yuan Joy, Harvard Road