Framingham's Ricky Finlay Announces City Council Run

The following was submitted by Ricky Finlay as a candidacy announcement. If you are running for City Council in Framingham's fall elections and would like to announce your candidacy, email samantha.mercado@patch.com.

FRAMINGHAM – Ricky Finlay, of Saxonville and three-time elected School Committee member,
today announces his candidacy for District 2 Councilor.

“I take my role as a representative very seriously. I am proud of my record of collaboration with my fellow members, municipal leaders and our state delegation during my time as a School Committee member,” said Finlay. “I am not afraid to ask the tough questions and vote for what I believe is in the best interest of our community. In that spirit, I want to take my record and what I’ve learned on the School Committee to the Council.”

Ricky will bring the same passion and energy that he has brought to fighting for all of our kids to the Council. He believes Framingham works best when we are honest and transparent, put political grudges and issues aside and get down to work.

As District 2 Councilor, Ricky is focused on:
1. Affordability: As a member of the School Committee, Ricky has been part of the widely
praised transparent zero based budgeting performed by the School Department. The
municipal budget process needs to mirror the same level of transparency and participation
found in the School process. We have to be open and honest about our finances with our
taxpayers – not only is it fair, but it is the right thing to do.
2. Plan and Care for Our Neighborhood Municipal Properties: Saxonville is home to many city-
owned properties, such as the Pumping Station, soon-to-be-vacant fire station, Athenaeum
Hall and the old McAuliffe Library. Now is the time to bring all stakeholders together, have
honest conversations about what we, as a neighborhood, want for the future of Saxonville
and work with city leaders to develop a plan to make these ideas a reality.
3. Traffic: Traveling through Framingham, especially in Saxonville and Nobscot, is a challenge
regardless of time of day. Traffic light timing, street directional changes and McGrath
Square all need the focus of the Traffic Commission to make our roads safer for cars,
bicycles and pedestrians alike. Each review and change must be clearly communicated to
neighbors.

First elected to School Committee in 2009, then again in 2016 and 2017, Finlay has been an advocate for all students. He has proposed initiatives to make education more equitable, advocated to ensure our facilities are reflective of the vibrant work done by our students and faculty, and fought for changes in policies and state aid.

His achievements include:
1. Worked with the School Committee and administration to provide legislators with accurate
costs of unfunded mandates so they could consider changes in policies and state aid. The
Massachusetts Association of School Committees used our estimate of $22 million worth of
unfunded mandates to push the Legislature to reform their lawmaking process to consider
the impact of unfunded mandates before passing new laws.

2. Improved communication between the School Committee and the Capital Budget
Subcommittee of Town Meeting, resulting in an increase budget for safety and technology,
as well for projects like the parking improvements at the Barbieri parking lot. In addition, as
part of the Building and Grounds subcommittee, Ricky helped lead the process for approval
of new windows for Stapleton with a 50% state reimbursement.
3. Pushed for the study and possible reduction of all fees, resulting in free full day
Kindergarten for all students that allowed access to quality education for all of our youngest
students and elimination of the athletic opening the doors to any student who wishes to play
a sport.
4. Advocated for a new Fuller Middle School as a member of the School Building Committee.
Besides serving on the School Committee, Ricky is a coach for Framingham Youth Football, a
member of Framingham’s Disability Commission and City Seal Committee, and a member of the
Board of Directors for Hoops and Homework. Last fall, Ricky helped organize the construction of a
new playground at Interfaith Terrace, bringing together city and business leaders, local unions and residents together. He is also the Cubmaster of Saxonville Pack 21. He represented Precinct 3 as a Town Meeting Member.

Ricky is married to Patricia and proud father of Olivia, a student at Cameron Middle School, and
Bobby, a student at McCarthy Elementary School. Ricky is a proud graduate of Framingham Public
Schools. He currently works for the Town of Wellesley Facilities Department.

To learn more about Ricky, please visit www.facebook.com/rickyfinlayfo...