Jack Eccles Brings The Voice Melrose Requires

In 2017, in the waning days of the municipal election, I came across a bright and energetic young man. Not thinking much of it at the time - and being in the middle of my own campaign - I didn’t pay much attention to it. In the winter of 2019, I was tapped on the shoulder. I turned around and I was instantly brought back to this interaction two years prior.

“Hi Mike, I am Jack Eccles. We met a couple years ago. I wanted to introduce myself.” I gleefully responded and said “Oh hey! How are you what are you up to these days? I was wondering if I was going to see you again.” What should be noted is that when Jack introduced himself to me that night, it was at a post-override event we had just attended. Jack was still a student at UMass, but he was back in Melrose helping out the effort. Since then, Jack has graduated and returned home to Melrose.

Since we were reintroduced in January and especially since he returned in June, I see Jack several times a week and he has become a close friend. What I have come to know - and deeply appreciate - about him is his commitment to our community. In High School, Jack served as one of the student representatives to the School Committee and he was an intern in Mayor Dolan’s office. These may sound like trivial positions, but they aren’t. Jack had a desire to participate and to work on advocating for students. His work in the Mayor’s office focused on constituent services and communication.

In the dark and cold winter of 2019, Jack drove home on many weekends (and even played hooky from classes a few times) to help contact voters and advocate in favor of the override. He was one of the more active volunteers and he lived nearly two hours away! When Jack decided that he wanted to run for Council, I was immediately supportive of his campaign. He brings a thoughtful pragmatism to the issues Melrose is and will be facing. He is well spoken and commands the issues well. I know he takes sustainability seriously and he brings thoughtful arguments on developments and growth.

Jack is a candidate that deserves your serious consideration. I think that he brings valuable assets to our discourse and he will be a needed voice on our Council these next two important years. The more time I spend with Jack, the more impressed I am with him. I am glad that we developed a friendship and I am excited about his candidacy. I will be supporting Jack Eccles for Councilor-at-Large. Jack is committed, Jack is dedicated to this community and Jack is ready to serve us all as a City Councilor-at-Large. Please give him one of your votes!