Leila Migliorelli declares candidacy for Alderman-At-Large

My story of Melrose is more than just growing up on its playgrounds. It’s one of returning as an adult to re-discover the community from a new, different perspective. Seeing the opportunities that exist for us today and the potential the city offers our kids tomorrow.

That’s why I’m declaring my candidacy for Alderman-At-Large.

Melrose has never been a more desirable location to live. But for us to thrive, we must understand the true needs of our changing population and address them honestly.

We currently face a unique challenge in Melrose. With residents having just placed their trust and tax dollars in the hands of our city, the community deserves a government that communicates openly and is held accountable. While I may be a first-time candidate, my professional and civic experience makes me uniquely qualified for this job. In my current role as Director of Donor Relations at Tufts University, I am responsible for ensuring contributions are spent as they were intended. If elected, I will apply similar principles and practices to our budget. I will do everything in my power to show residents that their investment in Melrose is worthwhile.

Smart development and business growth are crucial to the sustained success of the city. I earned my Master of Public Policy degree from Tufts and worked at the Center for Women & Enterprise, a New England nonprofit that helps women start and grow small businesses. I understand the importance of a strong, diverse business community and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. As an Alderman, I will focus on helping to spur economic growth both in our downtown area and across the entire city.

We cannot rely on a “good enough for now” method of urban development. Our tax dollars can and should be used to address the needs of its citizens and plan for our future. We must be thoughtful and considerate when developing our infrastructure. I believe in creative land use, modern planning concepts and proper resources dedicated to address a changing economic need. All things that a new, strong voice in the Aldermanic Chamber can help address.

As a Ward 4 resident, member of the Melrose Human Rights Commission and volunteer with Melrose Education Foundation, I am intimately familiar with the benefits of thriving schools, strong community programming, and a safe, diverse environment. We must continue to push for opportunities for our children both through the school system and beyond.

I attended Horace Mann elementary school early in my life. I returned to Melrose in 2015 with my husband, Matt, and our two children. I had such warm memories of being young here. In many ways, Melrose is just as I remembered it -- a welcoming city and fantastic community for raising kids.

I aim to be a trusted voice and advocate for everyone in Melrose, regardless of race, gender, age, party or economic standing. I look forward to spending the next few months meeting voters and learning more about the issues they care about.

Learn more about our campaign at LeilaForMelrose.com and Facebook.com/leilaformelrose.