Selectman Sarah MacDonald Says She Will Not Run for Re-Election in 2014

Dedham Selectman Sarah MacDonald announced Wednesday afternoon that she will not be seeking re-election in 2014. 

Having served on the board for the last six years, MacDonald acknowledged her colleagues and others who have supported her. 

MacDonald also has helped coordinate the Dedham Toys for Tots drive, which the selectmen recently recognized as they honored Jack and Eric Linari, or Jack & Eric's Pirate Lemonade Stand, who donated $1,000 to the drive.

MacDonald issued the following letter regarding her decision:

Today I am announcing I will not seek reelection to the Board of Selectmen when my term is up this spring. It has been an unbelievable six years and I am proud to have played a part in what truly feels like a renaissance for civic engagement and public service in the Town of Dedham.

When I began my campaign six years ago, I could never have imagined the interesting people I would meet, the complex issues I would be asked to weigh in on, or the interesting initiatives the board would take on. Whether it was implementing single stream recycling and automated trash pickup, adopting financial policies that lead to our AAA bond rating, or negotiating a lease on the brand new arts & community center, I am proud to be a member of a board that worked day in and day out to push forward the vision of a better Dedham.

I would like to thank the team—Chairman Michael Butler, Vice Chairman Jim MacDonald, Selectmen Carmen Dello Iacono and Paul Reynolds, as well as Town Administrator Bill Keegan, Assistant Town Administrator Nancy Baker, and the entire Town Hall staff—for striving for greatness and never choosing the easy way out, no matter how much work pushing forward meant.

I am most proud of the progress we have made in engaging residents—old and young, new to town and life-long neighbors— in the civic conversation. Today, we have more applicants for various appointed town boards and committees than we have ever had—people with volumes of professional expertise and personal passion. We communicate with residents through all modes of communication—including the TownWorks e-newsletter and on social media—to ensure everyone has a chance to be heard and is invited in to the process. And we make decisions based on respectful data-driven discussion and deliberation, as was evidenced by the record participation at the November special Town Meeting. To quote Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

I am honored to have had the opportunity to represent the residents of Dedham and I look forward to finding my next civic adventure!