Braintree Election 2021: Jodi Walorz-Killeffer 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 Jodi Walorz-Killeffer, who is running for a seat in District 1, in the Nov. 2 town election.

Jodi Walorz-Killeffer

Age (as of Election Day)

43

Position Sought

Town Council, District 1

Family

I am a lifelong resident, class of 96 BHS grad, the youngest of four children — my family has been deeply rooted in Braintree for generations. They own and operate a local small business — Walorz Trucking — you may even get your stickers there.

I’m the wife of a Braintree Police Officer and proud Mom of two children and a 7 year old puppy.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My husband is a town employee and proudly serves on the Braintree Police Department- but no.

Education

• 1996 BHS graduate
• 2000 Bridgewater State University, BA Public Relations and Communications, minor in Psychology.
• 2006 Boston Laboure College of Nursing
• 2012 Graduate of Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Certified Health Coach.

Occupation

I am a registered nurse of 17 years with ICU, geri/psych, med/surg experience. Currently a visiting nurse where the majority of my patients are elderly and veterans.
Also served as a medical missionary.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

n/a

Campaign website

www.jodifortowncouncil.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

It is with a sense of purpose and responsibility that I seek to serve my home town and the residents of District 1. As your Councilor, focusing on the issues that directly impact our district will be my top priority. There has been a void in addressing town wide issues rooted here in District 1 and resident concerns over the past 2 years. I am committed to facing challenges head on and ensuring residents receive financial accountability and truthful transparency. I will not filter information the residents need and have a right
to know through communication gimmicks.

I will hold regular office hours and maintain an open line of communication with residents by walking the neighborhoods of our district and speaking directly with constituents, hosting regular District 1 in-person and/or virtual meetings, distributing newsletters, and being accessible through emails and phone calls. I will sit on the council as an advocate for my district and my community. I am confident that together — we can bridge the gap between town politics and our community in order to move our Braintree forward.

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

Our district 1 is unique — we have several critical issues. Unfortunately, none of which there is a quick fix.

We are home to the highest traffic volumes in our community given our proximity to the highway. Our neighborhoods suffer from speeding and cut thru traffic, late night noise pollution such as drag racing. Multiple nights a week, the vibrations and sounds of engines often wake my house around midnight racing up and down Granite and Pond Street.

As the wife of a Braintree police officer, I see first hand how efficient funding for our public safety departments is needed to effectively serve our community and keep our neighborhoods safe. There has been a trend of crime seeping into our neighborhoods as a result of our local businesses or properties being targeted. It is crucial that we support and maintain the resources required to properly staff our police and fire with the appropriate equipment and tools needed to secure their personal safety and timely response to calls for service.

On October 15th, we were reminded how important it is to have the resources needed to ensure that our public safety departments are well equipped and well trained. Our first responders found themselves in a life or death situation in South Braintree Square when a man with mental health issues brandished a firearm.

As a nurse, one of the skills we need to hone and perfect the most is being able to assess a patient and their situation. That means being able to recognize the signs when someone is struggling on the inside, despite a person’s outward appearance that gives the impression to most that everything is ok. Monitoring mental health is very important — especially with the circumstances and restrictions that we have been forced to endure due to COVID.

With the shopping habits of America drastically changing and the model of brick and mortar evaporating, change for the plaza is inevitable and it’s future unknown. Being the largest contributing tax revenue resource to Braintree, it is important that we work with the plaza’s management team to help it remain viable — all while preserving the boundaries of our surrounding residents.

The mall is also right next door to our Flaherty school. We need to protect that school and our children. We need to maintain a buffer. We need balance, one that protects our neighborhoods but also ensures the plaza’s sustainability.

District 1 children attend 4 different schools desperately in need of repairs and technology upgrades. If COVID has taught us anything, it is that we need to work together to put our town in a proactive state vs reactive when the unexpected occurs.
The long term financial and mental health, stability of our schools and town are things I will make a priority as your councilor.

We need to conduct a deep dive, line by line audit — finally giving residents truthful transparency and financial accountability regarding the Petersen Pool.
I am not a parent that condones broken promises to our children.

We need to maintain our Safe Harbor threshold so that we can fight against dense housing like the Holland 40B Project and the detrimental impact it will have on our neighborhoods and small businesses in the square.

As a town — we need and must have growth — but we must also ensure that any ongoing and future projects are executed responsibly, and are aligned with A New Master Plan and New Comprehensive Zoning Laws.

Supporting our local businesses and partnering with them for their success is vital to our community. We need to work together to help ensure their longevity and develop new parameters and guidelines to help them thrive in this new ever changing business landscape. We want to foster an environment where small businesses desire to occupy store fronts in Braintree — making our squares more of a destination members of our community seek to enjoy.

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

I have lived in Braintree my entire life. Growing up here, I have witnessed the unity and strength that bonds our community together through times of uncertainty but also celebration. Braintree has always been one big family. My heart breaks when I hear my fellow residents express feelings of not being welcomed or respected by our town. This is not the Braintree I remember, want to know or call home.

I believe in a united community. I am running to bring Braintree back together.
The elected position I seek is by definition a non-partisan one, it is a position that is obligated to view each issue and concern through the lens of what is best for all residents, not some. If elected, I vow to represent District 1 as a whole and any initiative will always have our community’s best interest at heart.

I am honored to be endorsed by the Braintree Police Officers Association and humbled by the endorsement of The Braintree Friends for Veterans Group. I am thankful for their faith, trust and confidence these organizations have placed upon me — I will not betray them.

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

I believe our District 1 needs a representative who will focus on issues pertaining directly to our district, not issues facing our neighboring communities of Quincy and Weymouth. I see missed opportunities where we should be focusing on and addressing the issues rooted directly in District 1, some examples include:

• The Petersen Pool
• The South Shore Plaza
• Braintree High School
• The Holland 40B project

As your District 1 Councilor, I pledge to focus on the detrimental issues right in our neighborhood before prioritizing issues in our surrounding communities. While it is important to help those around us — we have to first be sure that our own community’s foundation is strong.

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

As a registered nurse of 17 years, I have made public health and the care of others the focus of my life's work. I also know the incredible support that my neighbors have brought me as a cancer patient during my own difficult time of need. We, as a community are capable of immense support and help for one another. We know first hand how difficult a health crisis can be to endure.
During the height of the pandemic my first instinct as District 1 Councilor would have been to advocate for the most vulnerable (elderly and veterans) and regularly engage with them to make sure their needs were met or make any advocation necessary. This could have easily been accomplished by weekly virtual check-ins, phone calls or when appropriate social distance meetings.

With my professional background, it would have been a pleasure to work and partner directly with our town nurse to help gather accurate and up to date information while communicating it to my constituents in real-time.

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

When I was 19, I was asked to be a leader on a mission trip to Navaho Nation. My team was 1 of many from across the US to join up in Arizona to provide aid to the indiginous people.

This was the first of many rewarding trips. I continued with this group for a few years traveling the US and helping those in need by repairing schools and homes. It led to taking my mission overseas. I traveled to the Dominican Republic on medical missions. This time setting up medical clinics and pharmacies. These missions changed the trajectory of my life. At this point I was working for Sony Music and had just finished my degree in public relations and communications. But — leaving the Dominican — I realized that I had found my passion.

Helping and taking care of the needs of others gave me a sense of purpose
and genuine happiness I had never experienced before. While I loved people and communicating with them, I also felt the need to do more.

Following my heart — I enrolled in nursing school and returned to the DR for many years. I guess you could say I have a servant's heart. But I am NOT a politician. You may have heard that line before — and I realize how cleshay it sounds — but it is simply not me. I am a wife, Mom, Nurse, 2 time breast cancer survivor and fighter — who just likes helping people.

I’m a passionate advocate for cancer awareness and research. With great respect,
I served as a keynote speaker for Dana Farber. I have also represented the Jimmy Fund through multiple campaigns with the Red Sox, Jimmy Fund Telethon and
Fox 25 interviews.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Take nothing or nobody for granted. Live for today as tomorrow is not promised. Life is a gift.

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

I’m Jodi Walorz Killeffer, and I am running for all the right reasons that pertain to our district. I respectfully ask for your vote as District 1 Councilor this Tuesday, NOV 2nd.