Shrewsbury Selectmen Jim Kane Holds Re-election Campaign Kick-Off

Shrewsbury- Jim Kane, presently serving as Chairman of the Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen announced that he will seek a third term on the board at a campaign rally held last week in Shrewsbury.

Ann Dagle, retired town clerk, Matt Hogan, long-time Town Meeting member, and Michelle Duke, active community member with leadership roles on the Shrewsbury Child Development Committee as well as the Spring Street School PTO and the Oak Middle School Council are supporting Kane’s candidacy as co-chairs for his re-election campaign.

“Six years have passed since I announced my intention to run for the Board of Selectmen in January 2009. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Board and think I have a strong record of accomplishment working with my colleagues”, Kane advised the crowded room.

Supporters gathered at the Italian American Victory Club on Wednesday April 8th included Kane’s wife, newly elected State Representative, Hannah Kane, Senator Michael O. Moore, Shrewsbury Selectmen Moe DePalo, Henry Fitzgerald, John Lebeaux and Moira Miller, Westborough Selectman Denny Drewry, Shrewsbury Finance Committee Chairman John Masiello and members Gene Buddenhagen and John Cygielnik, Library Trustees Beth Casavant, Laurie Hogan and Clare O’Connor, Housing Authority members Paul Campaniello and Tony Cultrera and Planning Board Chairman Mel Gordon and member Mindy McKenzie-Hebert.

Since first being elected to the Board of Selectmen in 2009, Kane, a graduate of Holy Cross and Clark University who works as Senior Vice President for A.D. Makepeace Company overseeing real estate development and regulatory permitting, has worked to expand Shrewsbury’s commercial tax base, maintain high quality municipal services and strong school system, and gain local control of future land use decisions around the now closed Glavin Center. He is proud of his collaboration with the Veterans Council to build the new World War I Monument at Beal School.

Kane told the crowd, “When I first ran, I pledged to work for the expansion of our commercial tax base, provide high quality municipal services, to embody fiscal restraint and to ensure an inclusive approach to leadership. Additionally I pushed hard for our town to take control of the future land use decisions around the now closed Glavin Center and to preserve athletic and open space now enjoyed by our town. I am pleased to say I have accomplished each!”

“This race is contested,” Kane said. “If I am re-elected my continued focus will be on the core elements of municipal government, including funding our retirement obligations and working with other boards in town to provide a balanced and fiscally prudent budget for each fiscal year that delivers high quality public safety and public education services to Shrewsbury residents. I have displayed a reasoned approach in making tough decisions. Shrewsbury has always been a well-managed community, but budget cuts at the state level compound our local fiscal situation.”

As a dedicated and active community member, Kane believes his contributions can improve the community, while providing his three school aged children with an important life lesson on the value of volunteerism. Kane has been active in his children’s schools, coached youth soccer, softball and little league and is member of the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury.

Kane thanked his co-chairs saying, “I’m thrilled to have the active support of people who dedicate their time to making Shrewsbury a great place to live and raise a family.” Shrewsbury residents will head to the polls for municipal elections on Tuesday, May 5th.