Ann Marie O'Neill Announces Intention to Re-Run for Board of Selectmen

It is with a great sense of civic duty that I have decided to re-run for a full term on Stoneham’s Board of Selectman.  Last July I attended my first meeting.  I am proud of what I have accomplished in the last 7 months, yet there is much more to be done.  Stoneham has the potential to be so much more, and I am asking for your vote so that I can finish what I started.  To re-introduce myself, my name is Ann Marie O’Neill.  My husband John and I have three girls – Meaghan, a freshman at UMass Dartmouth, Molly a senior at SHS, and Mairead is in the 8th grade at SMS. 

Since taking a seat on the BOS I have fulfilled many of last year’s campaign goals.  I worked on behalf of the Greenway/Bikeway to reignite the project which is scheduled to break ground next year and will infuse Stoneham with the better part of 5.5M.  After discovering that the upkeep of Stoneham’s islands has been neglected for over two years, I began an initiative to beautify highly visible locations putting Stoneham’s best face forward.  Just this week RFPs went out to local landscapers and within the next month we will secure sponsors.  By spring we can be proud of how we present ourselves.  I successfully fought the issuance of beer and wine licenses to local gas stations.  I encouraged my fellow board members to take a closer look at our tobacco by-laws.  Many local stores are selling products that encourage our youth to begin smoking, some stores have drug paraphernalia proudly on display.  Within a few months stores will be unable to offer such products.  I have become actively involved in Stoneham’s Drug and Alcohol Coalition whose mission is to combat drug/alcohol addiction and prevention. These are diseases that wear away the fabric of our community if left unchecked.  I have improved communications between town departments and residents.  We will soon introduce a web-based/smart phone tool that residents can use to report an issue, receive acknowledgement and follow progress through to completion.  I have spent hours working on strategies to fight a development too big for Franklin Street – the oversized project proposed by Corcoran Development.  Much of my input was used in the letter to MassHousing and as part of the foundation for our argument.  To better communicate with residents on our efforts, a web page was developed.  Later this week you will begin to see periodic updates from our 40B attorney and submit comments on behalf of the project.  I have lobbied for an Economic Developer desperately needed by Stoneham.  While working on these important issues I have met with local business owners and developers to hear the challenges they face in attracting business to Stoneham that would bring in much needed revenue while being a good fit for our community.

It is clear that Stoneham needs an infusion of money to restore services our town has lost over the last 10 plus years.  We can’t continue to burden our taxpayers by asking for more.  We need to find other sources of revenue.  We must focus on revitalizing our downtown area, filling empty store fronts and buildings to bring in much needed revenue.  We need the valuable tax revenues from businesses to support our Police and Firefighters to ensure they have the equipment, training and the staff they need to stay safe when called to duty. As a community we need to ensure that our seniors, who have supported us so well during their working years, and to whom we owe a great deal of respect, have the resources they need.  We need to give support to our Library and our Schools.  We need to aggressively pursue grant money and other financial opportunities that will put Stoneham back on solid financial footing.  We need to continue to work with our legislators to fight for more state funding; we are clearly not receiving our fair share.  Finally, we need to be more fiscally transparent to our taxpayers.  The budget process is confusing and taxpayers don’t have a clear view of where their money goes.  Without this information it is impossible to make an informed, intelligent fiscal decision. 

The work I have done over the last 7 months is exactly what you can expect for the next three years.  To highlight my personal qualifications, during the last 25 years of my career I have been able to adapt to fiscal job challenges, I have recognized downturns and adapted to economic changes.  I have been in the field of finance, technology, real estate and healthcare – enjoying success in all fields.  For 11 years I was employed by the investment firm of Scudder, Stevens and Clark as the Vice President of Technology and Human Capital.  After my division was transferred to Chicago, I transitioned into real estate where for 11 years I enjoyed a successful career as a multi-million dollar producer.  More recently I transitioned to the field of healthcare.  Over the course of my career I have been able to identify areas that need improvement and I have developed and implemented solutions.  More important I have built a reputation of trust and integrity.

I love the town of Stoneham.  I am still convinced that there is no community with more spirit and more great people than we have right here.  I have been honored and privileged to meet and work with so many dedicated citizens all working toward a better Stoneham.  I would like to continue to work for Stoneham residents and make your concerns heard.  I would like to continue to work hard as part of the Board of Selectmen and to help push Stoneham forward.  I respectfully ask for your support and I hope you will consider voting for me on April 1st.