Off to the races.. I'm running for City Council District 4

What qualities would you like to see in your first City Councilor from District 4?

How about: Smart, informed, fearless and respectful; willing to ask uncomfortable questions, especially when it comes to town spending and the performance of town departments; a skeptical and independent voice in deliberations. 

Sound good?  These are the qualities the MWDN listed as reasons that Jim Pillsbury, a longtime community activist, would make a good addition to the Board of Selectmen.  Jim has been a town meeting member for 6 years, and chair of Precinct 6 for 4 years.  Jim has served on the Rules, Ways and Means, Public Safety, and Education committees for town meeting and is well versed in the process of budget review and has lived in both south and north sides of Framingham since 1985.      

Jim served on the Board of Directors for Access Framingham, where he did a popular local access show, Jim Pillsbury Live, for 8 years; and a gardening show called Wicked Green; is a member of Amazing Things; and a founding member of the Framingham Chapter of the League of Women Voters.  Jim has supported the Salvation Army and United Way’s programs to feed the hungry, and has been a tireless supporter of the Walk to Break the Silence which supports Voices Against Violence here in Framingham for the last 4 years.

A Framingham resident for the last 20 years, Jim owns two homes in Precinct 6 and knows first-hand the impact financial decisions made by the town have on property taxes and the wallets of the residents.  With 5 grandchildren, he values the importance of public education.  As a soon to be retired senior citizen, he understands the importance of balancing quality of life with costs for services. Jim has a record of supporting school budgets, veterans programs, and environmental concerns while a town meeting member, and strongly advocated for allowing medicinal marijuana dispensaries here in Framingham.  He has also raised concerns over excessive sick time and overtime in some town departments.

In addition to his work at the town level, Jim has worked with Representative Chris Walsh in authoring the MA Hemp Farm Bill, which is currently working its way through the legislative process.

Jim has been a Senior Field Service Engineer working in the medical device field and research and development fields for his entire career.  His ability to recognize the cause of a problem and then quickly identify and implement the solution are skills that made him the “go to” engineer for issues in the field.  He will bring those same problem solving skills to the table as your City Councilor from District 4.

Although not a supporter of the Charter that made Framingham a city, Jim IS a supporter of making Framingham the best place to live in the state, and looks forward to helping to establish our city and working hard for the residents to make sure their voices are heard and respected in this process.

As Framingham transitions from the state’s largest town to the Commonwealth’s best city, we need the input of knowledgeable residents who see Framingham as a community for all, and a home for families, young professionals, and retired citizens.  Jim looks forward to continuing his work for Framingham and respectfully asks for your vote to be the first City Councilor from District 4.

Jim would like to hear your concerns and ideas and can be reached at jamesmpillsbury@gmail.com