Chelmsford Select Board Candidate Profile: George Dixon

This is one in an occasional series looking at local candidates running in the Chelmsford town election on April 6. Today we profile George Dixon who is running to keep his seat on the Select Board. He will face off against Latosha Denise Dixon (no relation) Mark Carota and April Danielson for one of two seats up for election.

CHELMSFORD, MA — George Dixon,74, is running to keep his seat on the Chelmsford Select Board. This is not his first rodeo: For the past 12 years he's been a member of the Select Board for four terms. For the past 20 years he's been a Town Meeting Representative.

He's been the chair of the affordable housing committee, was vice-chair of the housing advisory board, among the committees he's been on over the years. He also helped establish the town’s Economic Development Committee.

Dixon has lived in Chelmsford with his wife Terri, and it's where they raised their son John and daughter Kerri. He's been a little league coach, served as a board member with The Paul Center and Greater Lowell Boys & Girls Club, is a member of the St. John the Evangelist Church Parish Council, and on the board of directors for the Chelmsford High School Alumni Association.

He received his bachelors in business administration from UMass Lowell, and is retired real estate developer.

Patch reached out to all those running for office, here's what Dixon had to say:

Why are you seeking elective office?

There remain many critical issues in town that require checks and balances, and I am proud of my ability over the past 12 years to make hard and sometimes unpopular decisions in the best interest of the town. Other than my family, there’s nothing I care about more than the Town of Chelmsford and its residents, especially our town’s youth who are our biggest commodity.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Of course COVID-19 and the impact on our community is paramount, but as for pressing issues under the purview of the Select Board, the most pressing issue at this writing is the lack of sewer and potential water problems in some of the districts. Both will hurt the Town's ability to secure tax revenue from commercial development.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am really excited there is so much interest in serving the Town and welcome the experience and perspective each candidate for Select Board has to offer. If there was one differentiator between me and the other candidates, I would say it's my keen understanding of the responsibilities and function of this role, the history behind past challenges and decisions, and how this knowledge impacts the Board's ability to be successful moving forward.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

This was left blank by the candidate, who is an incumbent.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Our Board of Health serves the Town independently, and they have communicated well about COVID-19 testing and now vaccinations. During the 2020 national election, our election officials did an incredible job organizing mail-in ballots, early voting, and safe and efficient in-person voting and should be commended. Our Spring and Fall Town Meetings were conducted safety, and our committees and boards transitioned to virtual meetings with the help of Chelmsford Telemedia so business could continue to be conducted.

I also need to point out and commend the many resources available from our Community Services Coordinator, Table of Plenty, the churches, and other service organizations who answered the unprecedented need for meals, housing assistance, and other services. Businesses and restaurants in particular have changed their business models to serve their customers, and our police, fire and rescue have been there for us more than ever before. And the schools - teachers, staff, administrators, as well as parents and students - met the call for remote learning to keep everyone safe.

It's no surprise, too, that the residents have come together to help neighbors in need which underscores why I love this town so much. I believe our community went above and beyond during this unprecedented time.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My campaign, and how I have served the town over the past 12 years, is based on transparency, accountability and being approachable. Issues that have always been my focus have been those that are important to the residents of Chelmsford and that impact them the most, like the tax rate, economic development, infrastructure, and access to services.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I worked very hard on a solution for the fire station in town that resulted in the new facility next to Town Hall. I'm very proud of my role as Chair of the Afforable Housing Committee and reaching 10% affordable housing, And I've ensured the Town has a good town-wide maintenance plan. Most of all, I think my biggest accomplishment has been my constituent work and being accessible to the residents to help with issues that are important to them, big or small.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Speak the truth whether people want to hear it or not. Don't tell people what you think they want to hear, tell them what you believe to be true.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I want the voters to know that I have the time, the experience, and the interest to do this job. Plus I love Chelmsford. I respectfully request one of your two votes on Tuesday, April 6th or by mail-in or early voting which is now available. Please reach out to me at gdixon10@hotmail.com or 978-954-1002.

Campaign website
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