Dumas Elected to Head State-Wide Municipal Association

Kevin Dumas just won another election - and we're not talking about his recent unopposed bid for re-election as Attleboro's mayor.

Dumas was elected last week as president of the Massachusetts Municipal Association - the organization of elected officials representing all of the commonwealth's cities and towns.

According to the MMA's website, the organization "is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association that provides advocacy, training, publications, research and other services to Massachusetts cities and towns."

"The MMA is the only statewide organization that brings municipal officials together to establish unified policies, to advocate these policies, and to ensure the effective delivery of services to community residents," according to the website.

"Mayor Dumas is admired by his colleagues in local government as an outstanding leader for his city, region and the entire state,” said MMA Executive Director Geoffrey C. Beckwith in a statement last week. “Municipal officials have asked him to be the MMA’s President to advance the interests cities, towns and local taxpayers, and we are very pleased that he has accepted this key leadership post."

Dumas' election came during the MMA's annual conference. Gov. Deval Patrick, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey were all in attendance, along with over 1,000 local officials.

Dumas' role in the organization will include chairing the statewide Local
Government Advisory Commission, which often provides counsel for state officials, including Patrick.

“Communities across the state share key issues, concerns and a common agenda,” Dumas said in a statement. “We must deliver essential services, safeguard municipal finances, build a stronger economic recovery that creates  jobs, and meet the highest standards of public trust. No city or town can go it alone, and we must work together on issues ranging from local aid to home rule and everything in between, and collaborate with the Governor and our legislators to strengthen the partnership between state and local government on behalf of the people we all serve."