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– News about Quincy MA from Quincy Quarry News.
Quincy former Mayor Bill Phelan announces he is running for another stint as the Mayor of Quincy.
While widely expected as well as for at least a few months that he would be running this year, today former Mayor Bill Phelan made it official.
Given Phelan’s announcement, the announced candidates now number six.
Candidate Phelan’s reasons for entering the fray yet again are simply and often poignantly noted in his opening campaign video.

Koch frowning thumbnail | quincy news

Embattled Incumbent Mayor Thomas P. Koch frowning
An old Facebook photo


Conversely, duly embattled incumbent Mayor Thomas P. Koch is surely less than pleased with Phelan’s announcement.
While many reasons are obvious, given its e-media savvy, Quincy Quarry cannot help but suspect a key reason for embattled incumbent Mayor Thomas P. Koch’s suspected displeasure is that his Koch for Koch website and Facebook page are no great shakes.
In any event, following is Phelan’s announcement press release in its entirety.
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Bill Phelan announces candidacy for Mayor
For immediate release: May 11, 2015
Contact: Kate Norton, [email protected], 617-838-6083
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QUINCY – Today, Bill Phelan released a video officially announcing his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Quincy: http://youtu.be/2bIK8ApUsbA.
“I first sought public office to advocate for my four children as they made their way through the schools here, but now they are grown and I look at our city through a new lens. Will our next generation of residents thrive here? I’ve been proud to call Quincy my home for my entire life, and I want my kids to share that pride,” said Phelan. “We are a city of incredible potential, but we see nearby cities and towns outpace us in attracting businesses and supporting transportation and infrastructure. I know Quincy can be stronger. My proudest days were those spent serving this city and working to make it the best place to raise my family. I’m running for Mayor with that same passion driving me.”
Phelan served as an elected member of the Quincy School Committee from 2000 to 2002, where he introduced early intervention literacy programs and overhauled the citywide early literacy curriculum. In 2002, Phelan was sworn in to his first term as the Mayor of Quincy, where he would serve the City for the next six years.
Throughout his career in public service, Phelan has combined visionary leadership with strong fiscal stewardship. As Mayor, Phelan:

  • Converted a $5.4M budget deficit into record $17M surplus, during a time of declining state aid to municipalities
  • Achieved multiple bond rating upgrades from Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s
  • Identified and collected revenues from delinquent tax and non-tax sources, resulting in historically low property tax assessments
  • Implemented a citywide state-of-the-art integrated financial software system
  • Conducted a top-to-bottom review and systemic restructuring of city departments, resulting in increased efficiencies and 100+ person reduction in payroll, with no layoffs
  • Successfully negotiated with city unions, including teachers, resulting in increased employee contribution to health benefit costs

As Mayor, Phelan implemented management initiatives that allowed increased investment in education, while still achieving a record budget surplus for the City, including:

  • Increasing the annual average education budget increase of more than 5%
  • Restoring of enrichment programs
  • Hiring resource officers

Phelan implemented a system-wide full-day kindergarten program, created a $22M program of energy improvements to school buildings, and began construction on $127M “green” high school. And during his time as Mayor, Phelan created a night school program, mentoring programs, and home-based counseling programs through the school department, resulting in a 50% reduction in the City’s dropout rate.
Most recently, in 2011, the Town of Holbrook, asked Phelan to serve as its Town Administrator. Phelan has achieved a bond rating increase for Holbrook, while at the same time lowering taxes, increasing reserves to historic highs, and developing sound fiscal policies to ensure the long-term growth and stability for the town. Phelan saved the town hundreds of thousands of dollars by building a partnership with the Norfolk County Sherriff Department to allow inmates and town employees to perform Town Hall renovations.
Phelan is a lifelong resident of Quincy. He attended Beechwood Knoll Elementary and Central Middle School, where he met his future wife, Tracey Tobin. He graduated from North Quincy High School, where he co-captained the basketball team and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He worked his way through Suffolk University, then Suffolk Law, graduating with honors. He began his legal career in the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, and went on to build a successful law practice here in Quincy.
To learn about Phelan’s candidacy, visit www.PhelanForMayor.org
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