Framingham Candidate Profile: George King For City Council

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham's election season is heating up and while there are plenty of fresh faces vying for seat on the City Council, several councilors are defending their seat. One of the contested races is for Framingham's at-large councilor seats.

Framingham Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

George King, 59, is running for one of the two at-large seats on Framingham's City Council. King currently holds one of the at-large seats and previously worked as Assistant Superintendent/Principal, Nashoba Regional, Town Manager for Framingham and as Town Clerk. King and his wife have two daughters.

Are you running for office in Framingham? Contact Samantha Mercado at samantha.mercado@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Framingham Patch.

Previously on Patch: Tides Are Turning In Framingham City Council: Election Season

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

The cost of taxes and water and sewer rates. I believe we can continue to offer the excellent municipal services we so value. However, we have to re-engineer and re-imagine our government in a way to assure we are operating efficiently and effectively. For the last decade we have been growing our government incrementally, without thinking about the whole picture. We need to use technology and other modern approaches to lower our costs to maintain the average tax bill at a sustainable level. Economic times have been good, if they turnaround we will be forced into difficult choice. We can avoid such a circumstance by sharpening our pencils in good times and building reserves for bad.

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

Experience. I understand local government and how it works. I know where to find hidden costs and unnecessary expenditures. I understand the big picture, I have led large municipal organizations through good times and bad. I offer innovative ideas to complex problems. I also bring an independent voice to the table, I am not looking for anything from my service other than an efficient government operation.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

My desire is to address the issues that face our community in a thoughtful manner. I will use my role as a councilor to hold all stakeholders responsible for their roles in helping our community thrive. I have specific interest in the areas of finance, traffic safety and public safety. As a career educator I am dedicated to assuring we offering an excellent school system while demanding efficiency in the educational operations as well. In summary, I want to use my knowledge and experience to make Framingham a better place.

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

My record in public service is one of leading organizations in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. When I managed Framingham, the economy was bad and growth was low. Yet we were able to create efficiencies that allowed us to perform the same services for less costs. This translated into our ability to increase reserves and also meet our collective bargaining obligations despite the economic downturn. I am a creative and innovative public administrator.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Take one day at a time and appreciate that day for everything it is.

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

I would welcome the opportunity to serve a second term on the Council. I can bring a unique set of skills to the table. My interest is solely in representing the taxpayers of our community, to assure they receive the efficient governmental operation thy deserve.