Police chief considers run for mayor: Hedlund says he won’t enter the mayoral fray

By JACK ENCARNACAO
The Patriot Ledger

WEYMOUTH - There must be something about Weymouth’s corner office that appeals to public safety department heads.

Two weeks after former fire chief David Madden disclosed he was stepping down after two terms, Police Chief James Thomas took out papers from the town clerk’s office to gather signatures for a potential run at mayor.

The move comes as the field of rumored candidates narrows. State Sen. Robert Hedlund, who was being closely watched as a possible candidate, said he will not run.

Thomas’ action raised eyebrows, not just because he wasn’t really included in speculation about who would likely run, but also because he isn’t considered a very political guy.

‘‘I’m really not much of a politician, to be honest about it,’’ Thomas said. ‘‘I’m more of a law person: this is right, this is wrong. I’m not much into appeasement, I’m into enforcement.’’

Thomas, 59, said he is still not sure whether he will enter the race. He will need to collect 150 signatures to qualify for the Sept. 18 primary.

‘‘I could stay at this job until I'm 65, that’s a ways away,’’ Thomas said. ‘‘It’s just something I’m contemplating. I need to discuss it with some of my friends.’’

Thomas did not specify why he was interested in the office.

He wouldn’t be the first police chief on the South Shore to transition into the top job at town hall. Former Milton Police Chief Kevin Mearn took the executive secretary job in that town in March.

Two weeks after Madden’s disclosure, only two residents have confirmed they are running for mayor.

North Weymouth resident Michael Acciola, who works as a crossing and security guard for the school department, has begun gathering signatures and distributing campaign literature and has set up a campaign Web site, www.acciolaformayor.com.

Washington Street resident Robert Thomas, who ran for state representative in November, is also in the race.

‘‘We're going to roll up our sleeves and work together to return the town of Weymouth to its rightful position as the crown jewel of the South Shore,’’ Thomas said in a statement announcing his candidacy.

Three town councilors are still considered possibilities. They are Sue Kay, Michael Molisse and Kevin Whitaker. Former Town Councilor Colin McPherson is also considering a run.

Town Councilor Jack Carey at one point considered running, but has since said he will neither run for mayor nor for re-election to the council.

Kay, who ran in the 1999 mayoral election, took a step forward last week by placing two days of advertisements in The Patriot Ledger asking Weymouth voters to contact her and let her know if they feel she’s a good fit for the mayor’s job.

‘‘I was very encouraged,’’ Kay said of the response to her ads.

Kay is at a crossroads. Her executive secretary job in Braintree will cease to exist when that town elects its first mayor in November. And if she runs for mayor, she will have to forfeit her councilor-at-large seat at a time when Weymouth is expected to face many financial challenges that the council will be partly responsible for tackling.

All town union employee contracts have expired, and new bargaining agreements are expected to put a strain on the town’s already lean budget.

‘‘I want to make sure the town is in good hands for the next four years,’’ Kay said. ‘‘I want to make sure I can make an impact. If I felt that somebody (was running for mayor) that was more qualified, I’d step aside. Because that’s the concern I have for Weymouth right now.’’

‘‘This is not going to be an easy year for a mayor; we’ve got some tough times coming,’’ Kay said. ‘‘It’s not a learn-on-the-job type of time. There are definitive issues that we know we have to get through.’’

Molisse said he is worried about the council and the state of that body is weighing heavily on his mind as he considers a run for mayor.

‘‘There’s huge changes that are going to take place at the council level,’’ he said.

Candidates have until Aug. 14 to submit their signatures to the town clerk to qualify for the primary election.

With only two weeks to go until the deadline, some observers expect a rush of activity next week and for the field of candidates to be clear by the end of the week.

Jack Encarnacao may be reached at jencarnacao@ledger.com .

Copyright 2007 The Patriot LedgerTransmitted Saturday, July 28, 2007