Experience, Leadership, Authenticity: Lavender Bird for Mayor

We are very lucky in Melrose to have several candidates to choose from to be our next mayor. Once I learned that Jackie Lavender Bird was running for mayor, I knew she was my choice for our next mayor right away.
I believe that it is a crucial time for Melrose to have an effective, true leader, that can deliver results. Jackie is that leader.
We need a leader that will seek out all the stakeholders, and then listen to their thoughts and experiences regarding an issue. Ideas are important, but ideas cannot be implemented in a vacuum. This is most true in a public service position as important as mayor. Jackie knows that engaging the stakeholders is a crucial component for any idea to succeed. When Jackie was working on formulating her small business plan, she met with small business owners to further discuss with them their successes and frustrations. When Jackie was considering the best ideas for tackling the public safety issues facing this city, she met and spoke with public safety employees to hear what they felt were the most pressing needs of their departments. We cannot simply dismiss people with valid concerns that may disagree about an idea. Jackie has the confidence and the leadership capabilities to listen to people that may disagree with her, then work to find common ground and build consensus.
Jackie also has the experience that we need to lead this city forward in 2020 and beyond. Working as the Director of Community Services and City Operations, Jackie formed relationships with city departments and their leaders, learning the intricate details of those departments, understanding their successes and their challenges. No other candidate has this close, working knowledge of the city’s inner details. This will allow Jackie to start the work of moving Melrose forward on day one of her term. She knows and understands Melrose’s municipal budget inside and out.
While experience and knowledge are, of course, very important qualities for our next mayor, perhaps most important for me personally, is that Jackie is truly authentic. As a voter, I have watched her, as an Alderman-at-Large, take stands that were not always popular, but were what she believed were best for the city. She has the courage of her convictions. During this campaign, I have also watched her speak with the citizens of Melrose, asking them and truly hearing about their concerns, as well as their hopes for our city. She loves this city and has a vision for Melrose that incorporates the inevitable change that comes with time, while maintaining the best of what we all love about this city.
I hope you will take the time to meet Jackie at the several events she is having all around the city before the September 17 election. I believe that after speaking with Jackie, you will understand the depth of her municipal fiscal knowledge, feel her authenticity and leadership capabilities, and share in her love for this city. I hope you will consider supporting Jackie for our next mayor of Melrose.
Melinda Stockwell
Kenmore Rd.