As Melrose residents, fellow members of the Melrose Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, and volunteers who are active in many local community groups we are writing to support Ryan Williams for Ward 7 Councilor.
Ryan has a proven ability to bring people together to solve problems. After a bicyclist was seriously injured in a car crash on 3/17/2017 near the Oak Grove MBTA station, Ryan spearheaded a multi-agency effort to make streets safe for all. He marshaled the support of State Legislators Jason Lewis and Paul Brodeur, Melrose and Malden city officials and three state agencies to ensure that improvement plans for Oak Grove included new sidewalks, newly paved roads, and a multi-use path, while opening up views of Spot Pond Brook. Ryan also led a community effort to have the City install two new crosswalks and a radar speed feedback sign on Lebanon Street. This is the kind of proactive, results-oriented initiative that we need in Melrose, and this is what sets Ryan apart.
Ryan has also been adamant that our tax dollars are used as efficiently and effectively as possible, and that includes leveraging local dollars to bring additional grant money to Melrose. As a new Hoover School parent and member of the Ped/Bike Committee, Ryan is working to bring in state funds to install sidewalks at the Hoover School and to improve walking and biking access to schools, parks, and downtown, in conjunction with already planned utility work. This is good for Ward 7, and as a Councilmember, Ryan will champion efforts like this and more citywide.
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Ryan regularly attends City Hall hearings and speaks on matters related to street safety, fiscal accountability, and sustainability. His remarks are well researched and respectful, but he is direct and action-oriented. We are lucky to have someone with Ryan’s creativity, intelligence, energy, and passion working tirelessly for Melrose. A vote for Ryan in Ward 7 is a vote for a brighter and more sustainable future for Melrose!
Sincerely,
Jonah Chiarenza, Cindy Chabot, Finn McSweeney, Ellen Katz, Gabrielle Watson, Tom Blazej, Ryan Bagwell, Katie Moore, and Dan Krechmer
