Jack Eccles Running For Melrose Alderman-At-Large

Hello friends and neighbors,

My name is Jack Eccles and I am excited to announce my candidacy for Melrose Alderman-at- Large. I am a lifelong Melrose resident and a proud product of the Melrose Public School System. I am a recent graduate of UMass Amherst and in my time away from Melrose my appreciation for everything that our community is grew even stronger.

My interest in local government started when I was in high school as a Melrose mayor’s intern and my passion for municipal affairs has grown ever since. While at UMass Amherst I worked with activists at the local level to tackle the challenges facing Amherst and the Pioneer Valley. I love to sweat the details and have been an avid follower of the biggest issues facing Melrose my entire life.

I believe that elected officials should listen more than they speak. As an alderman I plan to engage with you not only on the doors during the campaign but once elected as a representative. Many communities have encouraged district meetings for elected officials in their constituency to directly engage with the public. As an alderman I plan to host these so residents have a public dialogue with their representatives in convenient locations at family friendly times. This will ensure that there are more ways than just being free on Monday evenings to speak at a Board of Alderman public comment session to share your thoughts with your representatives.

I am aware of the trust that the voters placed in the city with the $5.4 million tax override in April and I also feel the deep divisions that still exist as the result of that override battle. After observing that process I want to be at the table making sure the tax increase is spent wisely.

If elected I will be one of the youngest people to ever serve on the Board of Aldermen. As such I would offer a unique perspective into some of our biggest challenges. For example, I know first hand the current state of the Melrose Public School System, I am aware of the technical deficiencies that exist in local government, and I am in tune with the cutting edge solutions to both of those issues. I am currently employed as a technology consultant, and my perspective would offer 21st century solutions to our city’s greatest challenges.

While I am a born and raised Melrosian, as a young professional I would also like to run as someone looking forward to building a life here in Melrose. As an alderman I plan to listen and engage with those who have lived here for five years and fifty years, because I believe as a resident I exist at the intersection of both.

I love this city that I have always called home and I am thrilled at the prospect of working with you to move it forward. I hope to meet you at your door or out and about in the coming months to share my ideas and listen to yours. If you are interested in contacting me or learning more about my campaign please visit jackformelrose.com for more information.