Meet Selectmen Candidate Mike Brady

Seekonk Patch sent a list of questions to the three candidates running for one selectmen seat in the April 1 election. Below are the questions along with the answers submitted by candidate Mike Brady.

—Jonathan Friedman, editor

Name: Michael H. Brady

Age: 51

How many years have you lived in Seekonk? I've lived in Seekonk with my wife Laurie since 1990.

Why do you choose to remain a resident of this town? Seekonk is a great town to live in and to raise a family. It has a very good school system and recreational sports system, and the employees are all very capable, qualified individuals that take their positions seriously. I also like the blending of quiet residential neighborhoods and commercial businesses. I'm proud to call Seekonk my home.

What is your day job? If you are retired, what was your former job? I'm a police Lieutenant for the Town of Rehoboth Police Department and have worked there since 1985. I prepare and oversee the operating and capital budgets of the police department and write and prepare federal and state grants. I'm also a practicing attorney admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1999 and Rhode Island in 2000.

Why are you running? I decided to run again for Selectman after attending a Selectmen's meeting where I saw disrespectful behavior exhibited toward the Superintendent of Public Works, an elected town official and a town resident. I believe we need to restore respectful, responsive and accountable leadership to town government. I believe that Board members must follow the mandates of the Town Charter and the Board's Statement of Ethics and limit their interference in the day-to-day operations of town government.

What makes you a better choice than your opponents? Unlike my opponents, I have never been affiliated with any town political party or town faction. Also, I'm the only candidate running on a platform for the future of our community. Neither of my opponents has laid out a vision for the future of the town. I'm an independent person and believe in the importance of making local decisions that are best for the entire community, rather than any individual or group. I'll consider each issue as it arises, weigh the facts, engage in candid discussion, and be responsive to all residents regardless of their views or affiliation.  

My knowledge of Mass General Law and ability to negotiate and understand legal documents and labor contracts, my eight years of experience working on the town's budget and finances, my readiness to apologize for mistakes made, and my skills in dispute resolution make me the best candidate right now for the Board.

What have you done to contribute to the town? I previously served as a member of the Board of Selectmen for two terms (2005 to 2011). I served on the Finance Committee from 2011 until taking a leave of absence to run for Selectman. I've coached youth football for the Seekonk Junior Warriors for the past four years. I've also attended many charity events, including but not limited to, PTO, Save-a-Pet, senior fuel assistance and youth sports fundraisers.

As a selectman, what are the top five goals you would want to accomplish during the next three years? My top five goals for the next three years are: (1) working to bring accountability and leadership to the Board of Selectmen and town government by requiring strict adherence to the Town Charter and the Selectmen Statement of Ethics and foregoing micromanagement by Board members, instead allowing department heads to run their departments; (2) working to bring respect and civility to the board and treating all citizens, employees and town officials with respect; (3) working to ensure that the construction of the Banna fire station, senior center and animal shelter are expedited and built within budget; (4) reviewing the current emergency management plans and capabilities for major weather events and working to update plans and allocate appropriate assets as required; and (5) fully supporting the efforts of the school department and police department to implement school safety plans.

What do you think about the current state of Seekonk's government? Do changes need to be made? I would rate Seekonk's town government as fair/needs improvement. I believe there needs to be more meaningful dialogue and robust debate on the important issues among our elected and appointed town officials. Also, I believe that the constant reliving of the past without focus on the future is both short-sighted and detrimental to good governance. We may not always agree with each other, but we must put our differences aside and move forward to try to solve our concerns by putting in place a three-to-five year strategic plan to ensure that town and school services keep up with the needs of the population.

As a selectman, you are one vote of five. You need at least two people to agree with you to get anything approved. How are you at working in groups? What experience do you have with working productively as a group? I've been an integral part of a group problem-solving team for the past 24 years. As ranking officers, we hold monthly staff meetings that bring forward all of the problems and issues facing the community and then we discuss and put forth plans to try to solve the problems. In this forum, all input is welcome and all ideas are explored. The group may not always agree on the proposed solution, but we always respect each other's opinions and suggestions. 

Also, I've had extensive training in mediating disputes and managing difficult people and I've had to reconcile disputes between diverse groups and irate neighbors. The ability to effectively communicate, listen and discuss issues, an ability which I possess and utilize daily in my job, is the key to resolving most of our problems. They seem to be lacking on the Board of Selectmen at this time.

What do you like to do in your free time? I like to see movies with my wife and son, coach youth football, play golf with my father and my son, read novels by Tom Clancy and Stephen King and work out 4 to 5 times a week at the gym with my son.

Is there anything else we should know about you? I am an open, honest and candid person who has devoted almost his entire adult life to public service. I don't have any hidden allegiances or hidden agendas and I'm not politically aligned with any other member of the Board of Selectmen. I take my oaths of office very seriously and will always cast my vote based on what is best for the citizens of Seekonk and not based upon my personal beliefs or ideology.