Melrose Candidate Profile: Mark Garipay For City Council

MELROSE, MA — With the Melrose Municipal Election scheduled for Nov. 7, Patch is profiling the candidates.

Here, we learn more about Mark Garipay, who is running to represent Ward 4 on the Melrose City Council. Garipay is a two-term incumbent and running unopposed for a third term.

Garipay has worked at Ryder Systems, Inc. since 1993. He spent the first eight years in management and the last 22 years in sales.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Mark D. Garipay

How old will you be as of Election Day?

52

Campaign website

https://www.markgaripay.com

What city or town do you live in?

Melrose

What office are you seeking?

City Councilor

District

Ward 4

Please give us your party affiliation

I am not sure why this question is relevant in a local election that is nonpartisan but I will answer it. I am a registered independent.

Education

Melrose High School, 1989; University of Massachusetts Lowell, Bachelor's Degree Business Management, 1993

Occupation

I have worked at Ryder Systems, Inc. from 1993 to present. The first 8 years in management and the last 22 years in sales.

Family

I am married to Andrea Garipay. We have one son Tyler Garipay, a sophomore at Melrose High School

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

Ward 4 city councilor 2020-2023
Cemetery commission 2013-2019

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking a third term because I believe we still have a lot of work to do especially with the city and school budget. We also have a number of projects still in process for example the Memorial Hall renovation, Library and generator project in addition to the debt exclusion for the public safety buildings. I look forward to working with the new administration, City Council and School Committee to get things accomplished.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe that there are a number of pressing issues that our community and the new administration will face, but the two that are on the top of my list are maintaining a balanced budget and investing in our aging infrastructure, especially our public safety buildings. We must make sure that all financial requests for appropriating money are warranted and are in the best interest of our residents and students. Like I have over the last two terms in office, I will ask tough questions, hold individuals accountable and continue to make sure projects are on budget.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Our community has experienced a lot of change over the years and I come from a family with a long history in Melrose. I believe well-thought-out change that is managed is good and healthy for a community. I embrace this change and value the ideas of all Melrosians! I also believe that a long-standing tradition of local nonpartisan elections in Melrose needs to find its way back. Melrose has always been a city of neighbors who respected each other no matter who they supported or what their beliefs were.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I plan to address quality of life issues the residents are facing in their neighborhoods on a daily basis, for example: potholes, speeding, sidewalk repairs and accessibility, additional trees and flooding issues. I will also continue to advocate for Ell Pond, our parks, recreational facilities and the Knoll Renovation Project.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In my professional job, I have managed budgets and have exceeded sales quota continuously in my 30 years in the private sector while maintaining high profitability. Prior to being on the City Council, I was involved in city commissions and local civic organizations. I have participated in mergers, reorganizations and creating oversight in areas where there was none. Over the last two terms as the city councilor for Ward 4, I have asked tough questions of the administration so I can take a leadership position and make difficult decisions that I believe are in the best interest of the residents of Melrose.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

When I first started my career at Ryder Systems, where I have been employed for the last 30 years, I was told that we all have two ears and one mouth and we should use them accordingly. I have followed this advice throughout my career in management positions, and the last 22 years in sales. In order to have success you must be a good listener so you can formulate questions that will help with your decision-making process.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a lifelong resident of Melrose and graduated from Melrose High School. My family has a long history in Melrose and I was taught to give back to our community. I have been active in Melrose and have volunteered on a number of city boards, commissions, civic organizations, campaigns, and youth sports, and have represented the residents of Ward 4 for the last four years. My vision for Melrose is for it to be a livable community with balance that preserves its history, architecture and cultural institutions but would never allow its past to be greater than its future. In order for Melrose to stay competitive and relevant, well-thought-out change is needed and needs to be embraced. I believe my professional and nonprofit experience along with my last four years as a city councilor has prepared me to continue to serve and lead our community and residents. I have strived to be honest, work hard, be respectful and be a leader. I will continue to represent our community by asking tough questions and making decisions based on the information provided.