Woburn Candidate Profile: Tracy Ann Radochia Jolly For City Council

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

Here, we learn more about Tracy Ann Radochia Jolly, who is running for city councilor representing Ward 7. Radochia Jolly is running against incumbent Charles Viola.

Radochia Jolly is an attorney with 23 years of experience, and she served as a reserve police officer for the Woburn Police Department from 1995 to 2015. She also served as Woburn's Substance Abuse Program coordinator from 1997-99.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Tracy Ann Radochia Jolly

How old will you be as of Election Day?

55 years old

Campaign website

https://jollyforwoburn.com/

What city or town do you live in?

Woburn

What office are you seeking?

City Councilor Ward 7

Education

Woburn High School; Boston College BA; Suffolk University Law School Juris Doctor

Occupation

Partner/Attorney; 23 years of experience

Family

My immediate family includes my mother Karen Hurst, who still resides in my childhood home in east Woburn; my husband, retired Woburn Detective Richard C. Jolly and our daughter Samantha Jolly (20, WMHS class of 2022); my brother Bob Radochia (WHS class of 1984), his wife Yolanda Camacho Radochia (WHS class of 1986) and their children Robert Radochia (23) and Carson Radochia (15); four stepchildren, Ed (45), Elaine (44), Liz (35) and Erica (47); and, six grandchildren Stacy (17), Gavin (15), Lyla (13), Stefani (13), Adalie (3-1/2) and Hudson (1-1/2).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My stepson Edward Jolly is a captain in the Woburn Police Department. My husband Rick Jolly currently holds an uncompensated resident position on the Woburn Traffic Commission.

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

Yes. I retired as a reserve police officer for the Woburn Police Department, where I worked from 1995-2015. I was Woburn's Substance Abuse Program coordinator from 1997-1999. I have held an uncompensated position as a trustee on the Woburn Public Library Board of Trustees since May 2022.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am passionate about Woburn and want to ensure that future generations of residents have the same positive experiences and breadth of opportunities that I have had growing up and living in this city. I am confident that the communication, collaboration, negotiation and advocacy skills I developed over years of working as a Woburn reserve police officer and attorney will be an asset to the City Council. I am excited to put my skills to work for the residents of Woburn on day one.

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

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is skepticism about the government process. While canvassing, I learned that for some, the perception of local government is no longer a positive one. I feel as though it is imperative for the City Council to assist in building back trust in the system. l plan to contribute by applying the same skills that have been successful in my professional life for decades to my role as city councilor: honesty, integrity, transparency, teamwork and communication.

As Ward 7 councilor, the best interests of my constituents and the city as a whole will be my priority. I will commit to working closely with other members of the council to advocate for my constituents, not only during an election cycle, but throughout my term as city councilor. Finally, I will commit to performing the duties of a councilor with honesty and integrity throughout my term of service.

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

Working for over two decades as an attorney and partner for a national law firm, I developed a wide-ranging skillset, including decades of leadership, budget preparation, negotiation, and staff and local counsel management, which I will put to work for Woburn on day one.

I also have a long history of commitment to the city of Woburn as evidenced by my decades of public service to the city as a reserve police officer and Substance Abuse Program Coordinator, in addition to my current role as a Trustee on the Woburn Public Library's Board of Trustees.

Additionally, I have a longstanding commitment to serving our vulnerable populations as evidenced by my membership on my firm's pro bono committee as well as my years of volunteerism for various charitable organizations including Special Olympics of Massachusetts, Rosie's Place and Dress for Success, among others.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

Because holding public office is often a thankless job, I have the utmost admiration for those willing to serve. Our community has persevered throughout many uncertain times with the proper leadership and guidance. However, now more than ever, we need leaders who have the experience and background to bring people together and get things accomplished in the council. We need councilors who are forthright and who have the best interest of the city and residents in mind; councilors who are proactive, not reactive; and ones who are thoughtful in their handling of constituent concerns and not impulsive.

I developed a wide-ranging skillset working for decades as a city of Woburn reserve police officer and partner in a national law firm, including: conflict resolution, negotiation, budget preparation, leadership, in addition to supporting the underserved. Each of these skills is invaluable to an effective councilor, and I will put them to work for Woburn on day one.

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

While canvassing, the recurring concerns I have heard from residents in Ward 7 have included: traffic issues, crosswalk safety, and open space. I will continue discussions with the residents of Ward 7 and work with the appropriate individuals within the City to determine the best way to handle these and other challenges throughout my term as city councilor.

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

In my view, an effective city councilor requires strong listening and communication skills, leadership skills, a working understanding of budgets, ordinances and bylaws, and a team-focused mindset to reach a common goal. As an attorney as well as a police officer, I have developed a competency in each of these skills that will be invaluable to the councilor position.

Specifically, I have decades of leadership experience managing counsel and staff and advocating for clients. I have over 20 years of experience negotiating and preparing agreements as well as preparing and managing extensive litigation budgets. As an attorney and as a police officer I had the opportunity to hone my communication skills, which has allowed me to better serve my clients and to help to resolve conflict and bring people together. My wide-ranging experience and skillset are evidence that I have the tools to be a successful Ward 7 city councilor.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice ever given to me was: Listen more, talk less. When I apply this advice to my professional and personal lives, I find that my communication skills improve and I gain a better understanding of a person's mindset. I am confident that applying this advice to the city councilor role will prove to be an invaluable tool to assist me in serving my constituents.

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

I am not a politician, rather, I am a public servant and have exhibited my commitment to public service in Woburn for decades. I will continue to do so as city councilor, not only during election years, but throughout my term. Additionally, I will not rubber stamp every item that comes before the council. Instead, I will always act in the best interests of my constituents and the city of Woburn as a whole. I have the experience and dedication needed to move Woburn forward and look forward to the opportunity as the next Ward 7 city councilor.