Submitted by Alyssa Botelho, Discover Fairhaven Director
Fairhaven invested in me, and because of that, I became someone who wanted to invest back in Fairhaven.
It’s been a privilege to serve my hometown for the past ten years. First, behind the camera in cable access television (before it was even called “Fairhaven TV”), and most recently as Fairhaven’s Director of Tourism, Community & Economic Development.
When I first walked through the doors of Town Hall in 2016, I was a shy Blue Devil teen with a passion for video creation, just hoping to land a job to buy my own cell phone. And so began years of filming government meetings that, with Derek Frates’ leadership, grew into parades, community events, resident shows, and original short films with our small yet mighty team — Erick Sa, Nick Doyle, and Todd Migliacci. Writing, directing, acting, producing, and editing together, we brought Fairhaven stories to audiences far beyond our town.
Our work took us across the country to accept awards, proudly putting Fairhaven on the map while building my own confidence as a filmmaker. As we traveled, worked, had “Festivus”, and collaborated on personal projects, we became bonded for life.
Then, I became a department head. Creating “Discover Fairhaven” became one of the greatest challenges of my career, giving a municipal office an aspirational identity, built upon decades of passionate work by my predecessor, Chris Richard.
I hit the ground running, despite sometimes feeling like a kid with a cartoon lunchbox in department head meetings alongside folks with decades of experience in life and career.
With the help of my Fairhaven TV team and other star Town employees (Anne Carreiro, Jocelyn Bowers, Kevin Fournier) who went way above and beyond their job descriptions, volunteers who stepped in with gusto (Keith Silvia, Cathy Melanson, Todd Correia, Nils Isaksen, Mark Badwey, Steve & Jen Botelho), we pulled off the impossible. Through late nights, early mornings, sore muscles, and tired brains, we revitalized a dormant space at Grimshaw Park, bringing thousands into Fairhaven with new blowout waterfront events. If you went to JAWS 50th Anniversary or the Medieval Faire last year — or even just tried to drive around in the vicinity — you know what I’m talking about (sorry ‘bout that!).
My office was many, many, many things more than party planning. But it was at our events that I saw the tangible impact of my work.
I watched neighbors who rarely saw eye to eye laugh together. People who hadn’t seen each other in years reconnect with big hugs. Strangers helping one another and families making memories. For a few hours, everyone stopped worrying about who was on what side and simply enjoyed being part of Fairhaven.
Like many, I was saddened by the outcome of this year’s election and the elimination of this office. But what saddens me even more is how divided we have become.
After spending eight months abroad as a Fulbright Scholar while continuing to lead the office remotely (only possible with Todd Migliacci’s incredible leadership on the ground), I returned to Fairhaven just before the election with a fresh perspective.
The phrase that kept coming to mind was, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
Our words reveal what fills us. Returning home, I found myself hearing more frustration than hope, more skepticism than curiosity. Too often, new ideas are met with reasons they can’t work, and face-to-face conversations are replaced by arguments in comment sections. Somewhere along the way, we’ve become quicker to assume the worst of one another than the best.
I don’t believe that’s who Fairhaven truly is.
The financial challenges facing Fairhaven are real, and difficult decisions lie ahead. If there’s one thing I hope people take away from Discover Fairhaven, it’s that showing up with a positive attitude matters. Volunteer for a nonprofit. Organize a block party in your neighborhood. Support a local event. Introduce yourself to a new neighbor. Open your mind to different ideas before saying no because “that’s not how we’ve always done it.”
Discover Fairhaven is going away. But community doesn’t have to.
To everyone who shaped me these past ten years — my coworkers, mentors, volunteers, local businesses, Town employees, elected officials, residents, and friends — thank you.
You gave a shy teenager confidence.
You taught me how to lead.
You challenged me.
Trusted me.
You showed me what it means to care deeply about the place you call home.
No matter where filmmaking takes me next, a piece of Fairhaven will always travel with me.
If you’d like to follow along with future projects and behind-the-scenes stores, I’d love to stay connected. You can subscribe at alyssabotelho.net/newsletter.
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