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To the editor:
We have a competitive race this year for the Marblehead Housing Authority, which oversees all public housing and related projects in Marblehead. Recently the MHA has been engaged in a major undertaking with updates and new building for the Broughton Road area. Before you mark your ballot for the incumbent, I urge you to take a look at Jeff Weeden, who is a new and exceptional candidate. It is really exciting that Marblehead, and particularly the hundreds of families, elderly and handicapped residents living in public housing, could benefit from his professional expertise at this time.
Weeden has nearly two decades of experience in government and public housing. He is currently the director for planning and development for the Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development. Marblehead could not have asked for a more qualified candidate for this position, from the next generation of Marblehead leaders — and soccer coaches — to step forward. Weeden oversees federal and state grant programs in Lynn that represent over $25 million. He directed the drafting and passage of Lynn’s first Housing Production Plan, which, if you recall from the Marblehead plan, required working with residents, officials and related state agencies. Weeden is also the administrator for Neighborhood Development Associates, or NDA, a nonprofit development corporation dedicated to creating affordable housing in Lynn. They are currently working to convert the Lynn Armory into mixed-income veteran’s housing.
Having members with vision, who are able to work collaboratively and contribute to a constructive problem-solving process are essential dynamics to a well-functioning, effective board. Weeden would bring those assets to the Marblehead Housing Authority. I really hope that Marblehead does not miss this opportunity to pass the torch because it could not be in better hands.
Renee Ramirez Keaney
Beverly Avenue
