ABOUT GREG V***A, CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR OF GLOUCESTER, 2021
Gregory V***a, 53, candidate for Mayor of Gloucester in 2021, previously served Gloucester for 8 years on the School Committee followed by six years as a City Councilor—four years representing West Gloucester and Magnolia, and two representing the city at-large. He believes strongly that local government should be transparent, collaborativ
e and efficient, and conducted with respect and civility.
“I am running for Mayor because I truly want to make Gloucester a better place to live, to work and to visit,” he said in announcing his candidacy. “But to do that we desperately need to hit the reset button. We need to stop thinking “inside the box,” to extend our vision ahead for the next 10 years, 20 years, 30 years. I am okay if I don’t cut the ribbon. I am okay if my name is not on the plaque. I just want to do everything I can to ensure that our City tomorrow is better than it is today.”
“I know that no one person can govern alone. We need to work together. We need to encourage public engagement. As Mayor, I will lead by example to revive a sense of professionalism at City Hall and to set a tone of respect and collaboration among all City employees as well as appointed and elected officials.”
Greg takes particular pride in actions he took while in elected office to promote transparency in municipal government to promote citizen understanding and involvement. As School Committee chair, he arranged that Committee meetings move to City Hall to allow for live broadcasting on cable television, and acted further to ensure public access by having Committee meeting minutes and administrative contract texts posted on the School Department website. On the City Council, Greg championed open access to government as he introduced an ordinance that requires key debt decisions be open to full debate at dedicated public meetings. He also led the charge to make City board and commission meetings more transparent by requiring that their meeting and agenda notices be posted on the City website. Greg also successfully pushed to let voters cast ballots declaring their preferences on the disposal of the former Fuller School, an especially contentious issue. Only afterward could the City Council take any formal action. Greg is a Gloucester native, raised on Portuguese Hill and graduated from Gloucester High School in 1986. He and Kellie (Martin), his high school sweetheart, married shortly after finishing high school. Greg then spent a decade attending evening and weekend college classes, while working full time, earning a B.S. in Communications from Salem State College in 1999. He worked in the manufacturing and technology industries before becoming a licensed real estate agent in 2005. He considers the most rewarding part of his business the work he does with first-time buyers and those buying with Veterans Administration benefits. Greg is also a musician, playing guitar and bass. He records original music in his home studio, Beechbrook Studio, where he also hosts the music interview podcast, “Unfinished Music.” Music from his project “Paulzon Fire” can be found on all streaming services. He also has written a children’s book, “Fresh Eggs,” published by Wiggles Press Books in 2011. Kellie is a labor and delivery nurse at Beverly Hospital. They have been homeowners in West Gloucester since 1993, where they raised three children, now adults: Abbie Ragusa, Dr. Patrick V***a and Julia V***a. They have two grandchildren, Cameron, age 4, and Angelina, 2. GREGORY V***A, CANDIDATE FOR GLOUCESTER MAYOR
NOTABLE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY POSITIONS
Elected positions:
Gloucester School Committee 2002-2010
Vice Chair 2006-2008; Chair 2008-2010
Gloucester City Council 2010-2016
Represented Ward Five, 2010- 2014
At-large member, 2014-2016
City Council Planning and Development subcommittee
Vice Chair, 2010-2013; Chair, 2013-2016
Appointed municipal positions:
Capital Facilities Management Committee
Magnolia Woods Oversight and Advisory Committee
Newell Stadium Building Committee
Harbor Plan Committee
Fisheries Commission
Council on Aging
Other Community Activities:
Gloucester Fisherman Athletic Association (GFAA)
Founding Member and first Treasurer
First R Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit promoting reading skills for young children:
Past Board Member and Volunteer Reader
West Parish School Building Committee,1999-2000
West Parish School Site Based Management Team, 2000-2002
