ORDER-2023-19 : Appointment of Francis X. Wright Melrose Board of Registrars of Voters

Transcript (~6 min @ 1:08:10)

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▶ 1:07:47 Maya Jamaleddine: Do we have anyone online? There's no online at this time? Okay, thank you. And at this time I would entertain more if there is no objection. I would like to close public comment. Seeing no objection public comment is now closed moving to our agenda. Order 2023-19 appointment of Francis X right mattress Board of registrars of Voters offered by mayor Paul brother and sponsored by him as well.

▶ 1:08:19 Maya Jamaleddine: And at this time I would like to make entertain motion to spend the rules. Motion is to spend the rules. Okay second. We have emotions spend the rules made by Vice chair Garipay pay seconded by counselor. Mcgregly Mr. Mayor and Mr. Right.

▶ 1:08:40 Speaker 5: Thank you madam. Chair members of the committee.

▶ 1:08:43 Paul Brodeur: It is good to be before you again and I offer for your consideration Mr. White's candidacy for the open spot on the Registrar of Voters here in Melrose. Some of you may be familiar with Mr. Right from his past service on this body. Through six or seven terms seven seven terms. He's also is indeed a lawyer served in several capacities for the city of Somerville including a great deal of a great length of time of service as the city solicitor of the head of a significant Law Department. We are kind of an army of one or two here some of those a little bit of a of a different construct a little bit more like a law firm, I guess so it's say that in his in that in that time in his service he has Of assisted or advised the city its board and it's and its city council about all matters related to elections. In addition. He has served as a as a volunteer poll worker. That's a fairly of more recent vintage. He is a good lawyer. If we are if we are interested in that kind of a personal reference for me. I am I am happy to give it And with that I will turn it over to Mr. Wright for his comments and certainly happy to answer any questions you may have about the nomination.

▶ 1:10:25 Francis X. Wright Jr.: Good evening. Good evening. Frank Wright Francis Wright. I hear this evening. I saw the request in the Melrose weekly for anyone who might be interested in serving on the board of Registrar of Voters. I thought based on my experience. I might have something to offer the city and I submitted a letter to the mayor and the mayor. Ultimately, he gave me a call and asked if I would be still interested and I said I would and he put me forward and here we are. Happy to discuss anything about my background or any other questions you may have.

▶ 1:11:13 Maya Jamaleddine: Thank you anyone from the counselor. So would like to. Counselor maguirelli, thank you

▶ 1:11:21 Leila Migliorelli: madam chair. Thank you Mr. Right for being here tonight. So to be consistent with questioning in this committee, you are not the chair of the Melrose City Democratic committee, correct?

▶ 1:11:33 Speaker 2: No, I'm not even a member not even a member. Thank you.

▶ 1:11:35 Leila Migliorelli: Do you support mail-in and early voting?

▶ 1:11:41 Speaker 3: Yes, how do you feel about the mandatory? voter ID Pushes, you know people trying to require mandatory voter ID registration.

▶ 1:11:52 Francis X. Wright Jr.: I don't have a strong opinion about it.

▶ 1:11:56 Speaker 3: Do you believe in the results of the 2020 election? Yes.

▶ 1:12:01 Francis X. Wright Jr.: And the presidential election Chris. Yes.

▶ 1:12:07 Leila Migliorelli: And then just another question. So how so after you know spending so much time in this chamber and and serving the city what besides just generally being interested. Is there anything else you can say about why you want to join the board of registrars and get back involved in you know, serving the city.

▶ 1:12:28 Speaker 2: I've had.

▶ 1:12:30 Francis X. Wright Jr.: During my time in Somerville. I had an opportunity to advise what's known there was the election commission under their Charter from questions about Valid questions to questions about nomination papers all the way through to election day questions and being at the polls and having to deal with the shoes my office had to run into court on election day about where people could stand I've handled recounts. and having that breath of experience. I thought there was something I cut off for and I think back to before I was even on the board or even thought about running when mayor Dolan was elected and the city had two candidates who were not there was no incumbent. And it came down to I believe a two vote margin. and ultimately there was a recount and you know considering what we've all gone through in this country in the last couple of years and I reflect on how that was handled locally and how well it went and how my memory is Mr. Conley who was the other candidate handled the situation and meddle and I thought you know if I'd like to see that. Type of attitude and that professionalism continue here in Melrose. I can't control what goes on necessarily outside of Melrose and I'm not saying I can control what happens here. Even if I'm on the board, but if I can add something to the process to make sure it's fair and and Again, bring my experience to that then I'd be happy to do it a happy to serve the city again.