In Support of Monica Medeiros

Monica Medeiros combines may of the attributes necessary to bring needed change to an isolated City Hall which for too long has catered to a small group of special interests. City Hall needs to be opened up once again and re-energized into a welcoming place to do the city’s business.

One of the changes Monica, distinguishing her from the other candidates, would bring is to institute a program of monthly ward meetings in every ward to reach out to residents, ask their opinions on pressing issues and value their input while forming city policy. This is the type of concrete, constructive and inclusionary effort she would bring to City Hall.

In making a decision as to who to support for Mayor, I would urge you to look beyond some of the bells and whistles of the other campaigns. Buzz words like ”leadership”, “experience” and “accountability” have been bandied about by many of the mayoral candidates, but what do they genuinely mean and have these candidates demonstrated these characteristics? Leadership means taking a stand even if it is unpopular. (i.e., voting against the Override to speak for homeowners and our senior citizens) Experience is knowing how local and regional government function. (i.e., serving on the Melrose School Committee, the Board of Alderman, the Mass. Municipal Association) Accountability is speaking up and demanding answers when City Hall refuses to explain the status of city financial accounts or how our taxes are being spent. (i.e., seeking an appeal to the MA Secretary of State’s Office when the fill-in mayor refuses to cooperate and provide financial data). These are the qualities and achievements in my opinion of a committed leader and they define Monica Medeiros.

We have an extraordinary opportunity on September 17th to make a difference and open up the doors of City Hall by electing Monica Medeiros-the first duly elected woman mayor for Melrose!

Christopher J. Sullivan