Braintree Election 2021: Elizabeth Maglio For Town Council

BRAINTREE, MA — The Braintree town election is less than two weeks away, and soon voters will hit the polls and elect new members to the Town Council and school committee.

Town Council contested races are in districts 1, 2 and 3., while the school committee will see seven candidates compete for three open seats.

Prior to the election, Patch is running candidate profiles to help inform residents on where candidates stand on the issues. Here's a bit more about Elizabeth Maglio, who is running for an open seat in District 3, in the Nov. 2 town election.

Elizabeth Maglio

Age (as of Election Day)

59

Position Sought

Town Councilor, District 3

Family

I moved to Braintree in 2011 when I married my husband Stephen. He attended BHS and has worked for the town driving a school bus for more than 20 years. I sold my home in Quincy and have loved every second of making this beautiful neighborhood my home. Our blended family consists of the two of us and our various rescue dogs.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BA from Boston University in Political Science and Sociology; MSW from Catholic University School of Social Work; Certifications in Plant-based Nutrition and Sustainability from Cornell

Occupation

I've spent over 25 years in leadership positions in the public policy and non-profit arena, and I have spent the past 8 years working in higher education as an adjunct college professor. 4 years ago my husband and I started a small business that operates seasonally. From large organizations such as The Home for Little Wanderers to smaller multi-service agencies like Project Hope, I have been able to develop systems and legislation designed to protect the most vulnerable among us. On most Saturdays from March through November you can find me at the Braintree Farmers Market where we sell my talented husband's small batch salsas and spreads.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

No previous elected office, but plenty of work on local and national campaigns and in city and state government in Massachusetts, New York and Washington, DC.

Campaign website

www.elizabethmaglio.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

The main reason is because Braintree is at a critical juncture. Our next steps will have a huge impact on generations to come. We need all hands on deck to address serious local issues such as the impact of the compressor station, crumbling school buildings, a neglected general infrastructure, poor communications, and a lack of trust in the decision-making of our local government. I believe I can hit the ground running and be an effective legislator and a team player.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

We have no master plan. How are decisions made, funds spent, priorities identified, when there is no unifying, agreed upon vision? We have incredible natural resources that we are not taking care of; we have a newly erected toxic compressor station bearing down on us that the Town essentially shrugs its shoulders about; and we are facing very difficult financial times ahead as we grapple with budget gaps and depleted rainy day funds. I believe my unique skill set in the policy arena, my passion for community building, and my belief in honest and transparent communications, can be instrumental as we develop a plan to make Braintree a vibrant, healthy, and inclusive town.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

What I will bring to the Council is the drive to show up for the meetings, to do the work, to seek and understand differing viewpoints, to build consensus, and to let my values guide all of my decisions. I'm a hard worker, and I'm passionate about making a difference. My only agenda is to be the elected official who is known as being an honest, hard-working ally for members of my district, and one who brings their voices with me to the table. I want to know what issues people are up against, and I want to partner with them to solve these issues together.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Councilor Connors is stepping down, so the seat is open. However, I am running against a former incumbent. I believe my opponent did not launch any fight against the compressor station when he was in office for all of those years. And now, every day, the health of the entire community is compromised. There is no job title or salary that is worth ignoring that colossal level of harm to others. I never received a letter, a notice, an email, or a flyer from my own town councilor during all of those years. That is a disgraceful failure to serve your constituency.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Residents needed to feel safe and trust that our government and elected officials were fully engaged in protecting children, seniors, and all of us in between. I want to believe that everyone did their best. COVID infection and spread rates were not shared consistently or on a timely basis. Information is critical at all times, and particularly during a health crisis that ultimately resulted in over 700,000 unnecessary deaths in this country. Rumor control, getting ahead of panic, releasing factual information in a consistent way, and using communication tools to provide positive tips and encouraging messages would have gone far.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The defining issue for me is the compressor station. This is our home, and it's worth protecting for generations to come. We have flood zones and coastal erosion, and we're surrounded by benzenes.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I built a highly successful grant writing team and an efficient, effective fundraising and special events team. I helped open the first LEED certified Silver building in Roxbury, which we opened with no debt. I co-founded and lead a coalition that has impacted animal welfare by closing the puppy mill to pet store connection in Massachusetts. I have filed multiple pieces of legislation. I am a proven community-builder and a steady documenter and communicator.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always tell the truth.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I care deeply about this beautiful piece of earth I call home. I want East Braintree, and all of Braintree, to be a healthy and inclusive place NOW and for the generations who come after us. I am prepared to be a responsive, hard-working councilor, and I am proud to run for District 3 Town Councilor.