Julie Smith-Galvin Seeking Re-Election to Town Council

My name is Julie Smith-Galvin, and I am seeking your vote for re-election to the Wakefield Town Council on Tuesday, April 27th. In 2018, I was honored to be selected by my fellow Wakefield residents to serve our town. Every day for the past three years, I have remained committed to my responsibility to represent all members of our community. To that end, I have consistently listened to differing opinions, thoroughly researched issues and cast votes that reflect my sincere belief that our town can be more livable, inclusive, and sustainable.

When my husband, Tom, and I moved to Wakefield over 20 years ago, we could never have imagined how this community would shape our family. Our son, Thomas, a sophomore at UMass Amherst, and Amelia, a senior at Wakefield Memorial High School, have benefited from amazing cultural, athletic, and educational opportunities. As a family, we love Wakefield’s recreational areas, tight-knit neighborhoods, easy access to Boston and vibrant small business community.

In my current role as Vice Chair of the Town Council, I have realized more fully that Wakefield’s strengths are not accidental nor coincidental. Rather, they are the direct result of hard work, difficult decisions, occasional sacrifices, a guiding vision, compassion for others and long-term planning. Under the Town Charter, the Town Council is Wakefield’s “chief executive office and chief policy-making agency.” Individually, each Councilor brings his or her unique skills, values, experiences and vision to the Council. My decisions are informed by my three decades as a communications executive, environmental leader and current business owner; my belief that government has an important role in ensuring that people and the environment are treated with respect; and my vision that Wakefield is a place where residents, businesses and visitors can thrive.

During my first term, I was proud to use my skills, values and vision to:

• Improve town communications and processes by advocating for competitive hiring, a new town website and expanded coverage of public meetings.
• Support economic development by voting to hire a Community and Economic Development Director, expanding outdoor dining, and sustaining the town’s AAA Bond rating, which frees up funds for use in critical areas.
• Prioritize sustainability by leading the effort to establish the town’s first Environmental Sustainability Committee, promote safer bike and walk options, and install both Wakefield’s first municipal solar project and electric vehicle chargers.
• Increase civic engagement by expanding opportunities for youth input on town-related issues, designing a workshop on town government for Parent University and holding regular office hours, which enable residents to share ideas, concerns, and feedback with me.
• Protect and respect those in need by supporting resources to address the opioid crisis, provide tax relief for seniors and establish an Emergency Fund for residents to confidentially access when they need a little help.

I am seeking a second term because I believe that Wakefield can continue to benefit from my skills, values, and vision. If re-elected, I am committed to continuing to support the above efforts, while also assisting those residents and businesses hardest hit by the pandemic as they strive to get back on their feet, moving the Rail Trail and Complete Streets from planning to reality and securing a designation as a Green Community, which will provide grants and resources to help reduce municipal energy usage.

I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, April 27 and invite you to learn more about me by visiting www.JulieforWakefield.com or following me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. During the next several weeks, I am hosting weekly Tuesday Talk and Wakefield Walk events. Details on these, as well as an invitation to my campaign kickoff (and zoom Birthday party) on Monday, April 5 at 6 pm are available on my website. Register now for April 5th event.