Dear Constituents,

It is with deep regret and sadness that I must inform you that I will not be seeking re-election in the 2013 City Election.  The past 31 years in public service has been rewarding and exciting.  I have had the good fortune to work with a number of talented and diverse individuals.  I am truly grateful that the voters of Ward 3 have continually placed their faith in my leadership and experience and have given me this opportunity to serve the City of Somerville.

During the 1980’s I was elected to serve on the school committee for three terms.  Education and opportunities for youth had long been my focus and serving on the school committee was a natural outgrowth of these values.  I am still proud of the accomplishments I achieved while serving on the school committee.  Having worked for an educational collaborative, I was instrumental in getting the school department interested in collaboration in both professional development and purchasing.  I helped moderate the ever contentious contract negotiation by replacing the school committee’s attorney with one more interested in collaboration.  I helped the teachers get full time representation and championed the fostering of different types of teaching styles to address students’ different learning styles.  It was an honor to return last year to serve on the school committee as the aldermanic representative.  It was like coming home.

My time of the school committee helped me understand the role and importance of the city aldermen and the impact their budgetary decisions had on the schools.  So, running to be the Ward 3 aldermanic representative was a natural outgrowth of having served on the school committee.

I have served on the Board of Aldermen for the past 25 years as its president, vice president, chairing and serving on numerous committees: legislative matters, traffic and parking, land use, public works.  I was very concerned and worked diligently around zoning and the protection of neighborhoods.   You have been with me through police department reorganization, shutting down a polluting smelting plant and shutting down a sportswear company with wage and salary violations.  We’ve helped the quality of life for families by insisting on a living wage, writing a noise ordinance and championing home owner’s tax exemption.  Ward 3 had the first off lease dog park and skate board park.  Together we have weathered economic ups and downs.  Together we sat at neighborhood meetings as we worked with our neighbors to hammer out and marry our different visions of how life should be here in Ward 3 and in our hometown of Somerville.  Together we prepare for the Green Line.  As neighbors and friends we have shared weddings, births, happy times, celebration, illness and loss.

Due to health concerns it’s time for me to retire.  I love Somerville, it is my home town and I intend to stay concerned and involved.  I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent you all these years, it was an honor.

Tom Taylor

Alderman Ward 3