Attleboro City Council Candidate Kicks Off Campaign

Wih the local election just a bit more than a month away, Bert Buckley, candidate for City Councilor at Large is working to get support from the community.

The candidate held a kickoff meet and greet celebration at Thursday night. The well-attended fundraiser was held to help support Buckley’s campaign for a seat on Attleboro City Council.

Buckley, a long-time Attleboro resident and business owner, spent the night meeting with and answering questions from local business owners and citizens. If funding allows, Buckley hopes to hold a family outing in September to provide the same opportunity for all of the citizens of Attleboro.

Buckley was raised in Attleboro, attended and  elementary schools and played sports on city-organized recreational baseball and swimming teams.

Buckley attended Bay State College and Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business management and an EMT certification.

He is currently a local business owner of Citywide Disposal Service in Attleboro and is a Business Development Executive at Brewster Ambulance Service in Boston.

Buckley said he loves the City of Attleboro and would like his five children to have the same opportunities he had including a strong, supportive community and exceptional education.

Ready for the task

The self-described strong communicator and savvy business management leader said he is ready for the task. 

“With more than twenty years of public and private business experience I have the experience to operate a budget under difficult financial circumstances," he said. 

He went on to say that he is passionate about promoting and supporting small business in Attleboro.

“Small business is what built this city and we need small business to thrive in this city again," he said. "Having recently formed a business in the city I am well aware of the permit and regulatory roadblocks."

In fact, Buckley mentioned another business owner who, he said, is trying to get through the red tape. 

"I have a friend working to open a used book store who is encountering similar difficulties. It is imperative that the city be user friendly and help small business grow and prosper.”

A plan to scrutinize expenditures

Buckley stated that he would like the city to be more fiscally responsible and indicated that the city operational expenditures and department fee schedules need to be scrutinized closely especially the water, sewer and Department of Public Works.

“Revenue alternatives, partnerships and private opportunities need to be explored.”

Buckley stated that infrastructure improvements for schools, police, fire and public roadways are some of the most important and expensive issues facing our city.He went on to say the city should be more proactive instead of reactive in partnering with the federal government to have work completed correctly and on time.

“It is upsetting that it took six years to repair a bridge which had a negative effect on local business.” 

The candidate commended the job the has done with the fields in the city and would like to see the city be able to provide assistance to property owners that are in need to improve and beautify the condition of vacant and unmaintained buildings in the city.

“I would like to provide an independent voice for the residents and business community, advocate for improved schools including leadership system accountability, promote city attractions, capitalize on Attleboro’s history of being the jewelry capital and support Police and Fire and community outreach services," he told the audience. "With leadership and determination, Attleboro can be a community filled with success in difficult financial times.”