Woburn Mayoral Race Now Contested - What Would You Ask the Candidates?

There is now a race for Woburn Mayor.

As reported on Woburn Patch yesterday, Woburn resident John Flaherty announced his candidacy to run for the mayoral spot.

"It is with great excitement that I announce my candidacy for the Mayor of our great City of Woburn," Flaherty said in the announcement. "As a lifelong resident, I would like to give back to the community that has helped me form a great family, business, and pride of being a Woburnite."

Flaherty said in his announcement that he has dedicated his life to "family, volunteerism, philanthropy, and reaching out to those in need in Woburn."

One donation Flaherty is well known for is the .

In his announcement Flaherty touted his business experience as an indication he can lead.

"From a small company of just two people, I have helped to grow ADA Solutions, Inc. into an organization that holds several patents, and employs over 250 people," he said. "ADA Solutions is the largest provider of detectable warning tiles in the world with over 1500 distributors in the U.S. alone ... I believe my background as a businessman, and as a community activist, clearly demonstrate my ability to bring people together for a stronger and more effective city."

Mayor Galvin has stated he will run for reelection and held a campaign kick-off event on March 8. Woburn Patch hasn't received an official announcement yet but we will post one as soon as it is released.

Galvin was sworn in as Woburn's 34th mayor in 2010. Before that he was a Woburn City Councilor and was an attorney in charge of a Woburn practice for 15 years.

According to his bio on the City of Woburn web site, Galvin gained experience in municipal government as a City Council member for over a decade and a half.

"Before being elected to his first term in the corner office, Mayor Galvin garnered invaluable municipal government experience the old-fashioned way—serving the residents of Ward 3 for 16 years," the bio states. "During his City Council tenure, he welcomed new challenges and dug in his heels with service on nearly every Council committee, and sharpened his leadership skills as City Council president."

The bio also states that Galvin is a life-long Woburn resident and works to give back to the community.

"Mayor Galvin’s public service is a well-known outward expression of devotion to his hometown, where he grew up on the city’s West Side and graduated from Woburn High School," the bio states. "He went on to earn an undergraduate business management degree from Providence College, and then a law degree from the New England School of Law ... Mayor Galvin has a proven record when it comes to helping senior citizens, investing in education and infrastructure, preserving open space, supporting enhanced recreational opportunities, fiscal responsibility, and aggressive measures to eliminate neighborhood blight and crime."

The election is not until Tuesday, Nov. 5. In the upcoming months Woburn Patch will be covering the candidates and posing questions to each.

That is where you come in. We want to know what you would ask the candidates. What issues are important to you? Let us know in the comments section below.