Jessica has strong track record promoting thoughtful planning and civic engagement in Dedham
My Commitment to Public Service in the Dedham Community:
Personal and Professional Experience:
- Zoning Board of Appeals, Associate member (2011 – present)
- Master Plan Implementation Committee (2014 – present, current Chair)
- Dedham Square Design & Planning Steering Committee (2017 – present)
- Town Meeting Member (2010 - present), Vice-Chair, Precinct 1 (2014 - present)
- Board of Directors, Mother Brook Arts & Community Center (2015 – present)
- Women in Democracy-Dedham, co-founder (2013 – present)
- Livable Dedham Housing Action Team (2017 – present)
Personal and Professional Experience:
- Have lived in Dedham for 17 years with my husband, Matthew McGuire, and our kids Emma (19) and Jackson (16)
- Leadership Consultant to Fortune 500 companies and Nonprofit Organizations
- Writer, including Negotiating at Work: Turn Small Wins into Big Change, co-author
- Doctoral student, Leadership and Change Program, Antioch University
- Simmons School of Management, MBA (2005)
- Clark University, BA (1992)
The vision to help plan for Dedham's future
With this election, we have an opportunity to take planning in Dedham to the next level. Too often we’ve been caught behind the eight-ball, reacting to zoning changes and other planning done at the request of individual developers, rather than being guided by what the Town wants. If elected, I’ll use my position on the Planning Board to focus on:
- Planning for issues facing Dedham like traffic congestion, pedestrian safety and access, housing needs for our seniors, and how we deal with increased development, so the town, not developers, is determining what Dedham will look like in the future,
- Ensuring that the Planning Board enacts development rules that are consistent with the goals of the Town’s Master Plan,
- Increasing public involvement in Dedham’s planning issues, with a greater emphasis on communicating with residents and getting feedback on proposed developments and land use,
- Systematically reviewing key projects 6-12 months after completion to reinforce best practices and learn from missteps, with a goal of continuous improvement in planning and permitting processes, and
- Collaborating with other boards, committees, and departments to achieve planning goals, such as working with the Board of Selectmen and Department of Public Health on improving pedestrian safety and working with the Council on Aging and Livable Dedham to develop senior-friendly housing policies.
The Planning Board has not had a contested race since 2006. I’m working to help people understand what the board does, how we can take a more proactive approach to comprehensive planning, and why I’m the most qualified and experienced person for the Board. But I can’t do it alone – I need your help!
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VOTE on Saturday, April 14!Voting in local elections is the best way to have direct impact on your neighborhood, your sidewalks, your schools, your parks, and your quality of life. Yet only 20-25% of Dedham's voters participate in town elections (compared to 75% who turned out for the 2016 Presidential Election.)
Help us change that, by committing to vote and bringing your friends and neighbors with you! |
