Paul Reynolds to Step Down from Board of Selectmen in 2014

Not long after Dedham Selectman Sarah MacDonald announced she would not be running for re-election in 2014 on Wednesday, fellow Selectman Paul Reynolds followed suit. 

Reynolds made his announcement via a letter he sent to Dedham Patch as well as posted to his Facebook page Wednesday, a copy of which can be read below: 

A LOVE LETTER TO DEDHAM

To my colleagues & constituents,

As local election season looms, I’d like to admit to that I’ve fallen in love – with this town, that is. I love Dedham – deeply. That is why want to continue serving our wonderful community, although in new ways.

To that end, I am somewhat wistfully announcing my decision not to pursue a bid for a third term as Selectman for the Town of Dedham. Over the past two terms, I have grown very close to four of the finest people with whom I could have hoped to serve – Chairman Mike Butler, Jim MacDonald, Carmen DelloIacono, and Sarah MacDonald. And I have been supported by a wonderful town staff – led by Town Administrator Bill Keegan and Assistant TA Nancy Baker. Serving alongside State Rep. Paul McMurtry – whose public service inspired my own – has also been incredibly rewarding and productive.

I made the decision to run in 2008 as we all watched the economic storm clouds roll in and it was clear that we were about to head into a brutal recession. I felt I could contribute to keeping our Town’s momentum moving forward, while navigating through the rough times – without shortchanging innovations that were long overdue.  I’m proud of the enormous progress we’ve made over these many years of challenging time  – instituting single stream recycling, achieving a Triple A bond rating, establishing Robin Reyes Capital Stabilization Fund to help finance long overdue building needs, landing millions in state aid for Dedham Square’s revitalization, building a new Avery Elementary School, launching the Dedham Trails project, as well as the little, but significant changes, such as establishing new communication tools such as the TownWorks e-newsletter and the FreshIdeas@dedham-ma.gov email address reaching all 5 Selectmen at once. The list goes on – and on. 

During that time, I’ve also helped launch a host of civic initiatives, including Oakdale Square Alliance, Dedham Library Innovation Team, Dedham Public Art Project, the Dedham Little Library Project, and the Mother Brook Arts & Community Center. While I turn my Selectman seat over to the next person who loves this Town as much as I do, I will continue to put my civic energies to work as I tend these groups that are enriching the town with art, learning, literacy and community development.

Most importantly, I want to shift my leadership efforts to the Mother Brook Arts & Community Center, which is at a critical inflection point in its development. Most people know that transforming the old Avery School into a best-in-class arts & community center has been my passion and vision. And so, in the months and years ahead, I would like to focus my creative energies to supporting an organization that I am confident will be a catalyst for continued positive change in East Dedham – sparked by the tireless efforts of the Mother Brook Community Group. As part of this work, I will continue to collaborate closely with the Board of Selectmen, Town staff, Economic Development Director Karen O’Connell, TA Bill Keegan and State Representative Paul McMurty on advancing the arts/culture district overlay strategy for the Mother Brook neighborhood.

And, at some point, when the Mother Brook Arts & Community Center has become a national destination point for its renovated building, café, shop, media lab, performance center, sculpture garden, and gondola launch, I may once again look to seeking a position as an elected public servant. 

In the meantime, I give endless thanks to my amazing, supportive, patient wife Janet – and my three boys who have grown up during these years of service. They’ve all put up with the barrage of meetings, calls, events, and listening to me ramble on about exciting things, such sewer maintenance, pavement management plans, and innovative OPEB funding strategies.

As I continue to serve my remaining months as Selectman, I will be savoring all the blessings I have enjoyed in this position, all the dear friends I have made, all the good work we have accomplished together – and give thanks for the privilege of serving each and everyone of my constituents for these two exciting and productive terms.

Dedicated to Dedham,

Paul

Paul Reynolds 
Board of Selectmen