Thank you, Izzy, Madam Mayor, Jenny, my family, and to each and every one of you.

For those who don’t know me – or rather, don’t know me yet – my name is Sam Hammar and I’m running to become the next mayor of Melrose. I stand before you humbled and honored to ask for your support, and I am excited to share my vision for our community.

Since announcing my candidacy for mayor, I’ve been asked a lot of questions: 

• “What did you think about last night’s School Committee meeting?”

• “How are we going to pay for a new public safety building?”

• “How do we keep our kids safe?”

• “Will I be able to continue to afford to live here?”

These are all excellent and important questions, but the question I get asked most often is, “Why the heck would you want that job?”

That question is my absolute favorite, because I can’t help but smile when I answer: “This is my life’s work. I’ve been doing this for 20 years in other cities and I’m ready to do it for Melrose.”

So let’s talk about what the actual job of a mayor is. As the chief executive for a city, mayor’s responsibilities boil down to three things:

1. Directing the City Budget

2. Managing City Hall Services and Public Employees

3. Serving our community as a Leader

Each of these responsibilities has a major impact on all of us, so let’s break them down.

Responsibility Number One: Directing the City Budget

Effective governance requires transparency and accountability. A mayor must operate an open and accessible administration, ensuring that government decisions are made with the best interests of the community at heart.

Nowhere is that more true than in the budgeting process.

Our budget is a statement of our values and our vision. As your Mayor, I will build a forward-looking budget that addresses today's complex problems while forecasting what’s on our horizon. We need a financial plan for our tax dollars that is open, transparent for all of us to see and engage with, in real time – and with no surprises.

We need to move on from budgeting based on the status quo to a budget that can pull us forward towards a vision of the City we can be. 

1. Strive to have one of the best school districts in Massachusetts: With our Superintendent and peers on the School Committee, I want to build a true needs-based budget that starts an accurate accounting of what our district needs to be successful. 

2. Commit to our Public Safety Infrastructure: Our first responders deserve safe buildings and a workplace that respects the value they give our community.

3. Make affordability a top priority: As mayor, I pledge to establish a budgeting process that reflects our values, builds trust in our local government, and helps us to work towards common goals.

Responsibility Number Two: Managing City Hall Services & Public Employees

Our city faces challenges that demand bold leadership, innovative solutions, and a deep understanding of how city services should be delivered. As someone with 20 years of experience working in state and local government, I understand the importance of good management and the real-life impact of government policy:

I’ve taught in public schools and know how much our educators deserve fair contracts. I’ve used technology to make government services more equitable and accessible to the public. I’ve helped small business owners navigate the complexities of today’s economy and regulatory environment. In short, I know how cities can and should be operated.

As mayor, I won’t hesitate to make tough decisions. Our residents deserve nothing less than reliable, efficient, and equitable access to municipal resources. At the same time, I will actively engage in that work and will gladly roll up my sleeves to support the hardworking folks who keep our city running. We have some of the most talented, dedicated city employees – including our educators – who should be treated as experts in their fields and feel proud to work for the people of Melrose.

Responsibility Number Three: Serving as a Community Leader
The people of Melrose are what make living in this community so special. Our city is home to a rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. In times of disagreement and division, we are still neighbors who believe in the promise of One Community Open to All.

At the heart of my campaign is a commitment to inclusivity and unity. I truly believe this in my soul: together, we are stronger. We can celebrate and honor our diversity and come together to make hard decisions, and ensure that Melrose is a community where everyone feels welcome, valued, and heard.

Over the next few months, I am excited to share my plans for our community with you. I know you have ideas as well and I can’t wait to hear them. 

Civic leadership means engaging a community in its own progress, for our shared future. I pledge to be a mayor who listens intently and welcomes the difficult, critical conversations needed to ensure the safety, health, and dignity of every Melrosian. There is much work to be done, but I promise to keep my door open and hold myself accountable to the people and progress of our great city.

Before I wrap up, I want to thank all of you (especially my family) for not only coming out tonight and giving me your support, but for giving me the greatest gift of all – a place to call home.

You see, my parents divorced when I was six. I spent the first part of my childhood with my mom Linda (hi mom!) in Connecticut and later moved with my dad in Florida. Although I am forever grateful that my parents taught me about hard work and resilience, I never felt like I really belonged anywhere or could call anywhere “home.”

Melrose was the first place where I felt like I truly belonged. Where my family belongs. It took me 30-ish years to finally find my hometown, but my kids won’t have to go look for it or to leave to go find it. They already have it right here in Melrose. That is a precious gift, and I’m so honored to call you my friends and neighbors.

I love this city and believe so passionately in its future. If we work together, Melrose can live up to its potential and remain a place people are able to stay forever, a place where we all belong. If we’re together today, we will be stronger tomorrow.

My name is Sam Hammar and I am asking for your vote and your support to be your next Mayor of Melrose.