Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini was unanimously elected President of the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association (MMA) during the Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) held in Boston on January 23 and 24, 2015.
Mayor Fiorentini was elected by his fellow mayors to lead the Mayors’ Association, which meets regularly throughout the year so that the mayors of the state can discuss and strategize on major issues facing cities and towns, including local aid, transportation, education, economic development and job creation. By virtue of his election, Mayor Fiorentini will continue to serve as a member of the MMA Board of Directors. The Mayors’ Association is a member group of the MMA, the statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization for cities and towns.
“Mayor Fiorentini is widely recognized by his mayoral colleagues and local officials as a remarkable leader in his community and across the Commonwealth,” said MMA Executive Director Geoffrey C. Beckwith. “The mayors of our state have asked him to be their leader in advancing the needs of our cities and towns, and we are very pleased that he has accepted this key post,” Beckwith said.
Mayor James J. Fiorentini said, “I am deeply honored and flattered to be chosen for this position by my peers, this group of Mayors is the finest group I have worked with while I have served as Mayor.”
“As any mayor or local official can tell you, our communities are facing common challenges and are united on an agenda for growth,” Mayor Fiorentini said. “No city or town can go it alone, which is why we are all working together on critical issues. This year the debate will center on winning powerful investments in local aid, transportation and education to grow our economy, create jobs and build a strong recovery. We are committed to working with Governor Baker and the Legislature to forge a partnership between the state and our cities and towns, so we can create a vibrant future for Massachusetts and every community. I appreciate the vote of confidence from my fellow mayors and I look forward to continuing my work with them and with the MMA in this new leadership position.”
As a member of the MMA Board of Directors, Mayor Fiorentini will also serve on the statewide Local Government Advisory Commission (LGAC), which meets throughout the year with top state leaders to discuss issues facing cities and towns.
“Mayor Fiorentini’s knowledge and skill will be of enormous value to all of the cities and towns of Massachusetts,” Beckwith continued. “He is a forceful and effective advocate on behalf of local officials and taxpayers in all communities, as mayors and local leaders promote a robust partnership with the state in our common work to make Massachusetts stronger and more prosperous. We are deeply grateful that Mayor Fiorentini has stepped forward to assume this essential leadership role.”