It has been a privilege and an honor to meet with so many of you on the campaign trail. Running for mayor has been quite an experience and I hope I have earned your vote on Nov. 5. If you are still undecided due to some lingering question, I hope you will reach out and let me know what’s on your mind.
I’m running for mayor because Greenfield is ready for new leadership and I want to help shape our future. We live in a beautiful area with a walkable downtown that has plenty of space for new businesses. We have reasonably priced housing, good schools, high speed broadband, and easy access to outdoor recreational opportunities without being too far from larger urban centers like Boston and New York. Greenfield is on the right track and we have a lot to work with as we look to the future, but we have some important challenges facing us that must be addressed. I have the right mix of skills, experience, and values to help Greenfield thrive while maintaining the small town charm we’ve all fallen in love with.
I started off as a teen mom working in a gas station in California. I know what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet, just as many of our neighbors do. And with hard work, determination, and a little luck I was able to overcome the obstacles I faced. I served in the Air Force for eight years as a Russian linguist and intelligence analyst. I thrived in the military because I was resourceful, determined, and resilient. I proved myself to be reliable and even-tempered, even under incredible pressure.
I was promoted and served on my commander’s staff in the Strategic Planning office managing the compliance management program. I was responsible for making sure that all work areas and programs under my commander’s purview were fully operational and compliant with military and federal regulations. Later I was entrusted with protecting U.S. citizens’ Fourth Amendment rights from illegal search and seizure during military intelligence operations.
After leaving the military I went on to earn my master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration at UMass Amherst where I studied policy analysis, financial management, and a variety of social issues including education policy, homelessness, and poverty — all important issues that affect our community on a daily basis.
I also served on the executive board of my union, most recently as vice president, where I protected workers from workplace discrimination, bargained contracts, and negotiated with management on behalf of nearly 1,000 members. This experience will be vital in my role as mayor where I will sit on the other side of the bargaining table to negotiate in good faith with our town employees.
I have a rich and varied professional background and I am excited to bring this experience to bear in City Hall. I will champion sustainable, beneficial economic growth and work to attract businesses that are resilient in the face of globalization and E-commerce as well as new residents to expand our tax base.
We can attract new residents and businesses alike by continuing to invest in our schools, our downtown, and the excellent services we’ve come to expect.
Thank you once again for this opportunity. I hope to see you at the polls on Nov. 5, and I hope to serve as your mayor.
Shelia Gilmour, a city councilor, is a candidate for Greenfield mayor in the Nov. 5 general election.