Bill Hanley: Waltham Patch Mayor Elections Q&A

It's time for us to take all our concerns, opinions, and Facebook political savviness, and vote. Waltham preliminary elections will be held on Tuesday September 17. Wednesday August 28th is the last day to register to vote. You can register here.

This article is first in a series I will publish on Waltham Patch, so we can better know our candidates and what they stand for. These interviews and observations do not reflect my personal political views. I will not write with a bias for one candidate over another. This series is meant to introduce candidates to constituents in an easy-going, positive way. I will not ask questions comparing candidates, nor will I provide my personal political opinions

My series will include individual articles with a candidate’s interview. Then, when each interview has been published, I will post an article containing all the interviews.

So keyboard politicos, now is your opportunity to see at a glance just what is at stake, from the candidates' points of view. If you are a candidate whom i have not interviewed yet, please feel welcome to contact me. The Patch reporter is also doing a separate series.

Let me introduce you to Bill Hanley, who is running for Ward 2 City Council.

I recently met Bill for blueberry iced tea at Mighty Squirrel. He had the morning free so he could work from home and soak up some extra summer time fun with his sons before they went back to school. We talked about balancing family and work life, the importance of school pride, and the role that team sports plays in our community. The Nipper Maher Park and its historical importance as the "Bike Park" led to a nostalgic conversation about growing up in Waltham. About the success of little league programs in Waltham, Bill said, "If you run a good program, the people will come."

Bill expressed how important family life is to him. At one point in his career, he was given the opportunity for advancement with a significant pay increase. He described how the additional income helped his family of four purchase a home in Waltham, where he has lived all his life. When the travel required for this promotion began interfering with the close bond he shares with his wife and sons, he decided it was not a positive change for his family. In essence, more money was useless unless he could be home, in Waltham, with his family and community.

If you read the long list of community involvement and volunteer work that Bill Hanley has been involved with over the past decade, it is evident that Waltham's health, technology, education, and youth have all benefitted from his devotion.

Following is my interview with Bill Hanley, candidate for Ward 2 City Council.

JL: Where are you from? How long have you lived in Waltham?

Bill Hanley: I’m a lifelong Waltham resident and a graduate of Waltham Public Schools. I’m a proud member of the Waltham High School Class of 1992.

JL: We both graduated from WHS. What was your life like after high school?

Bill Hanley: After Waltham High School, I attended Purdue University, graduating in 1996. I met Kristie Kelly of Dedham, in 1997 and we were married in 2001. After renting in Waltham’s south side for four years, we settled on Pond End Road in Ward 2 in 2002. We have two sons, Billy a sophomore at Waltham High, and Michael, an 8thgrader at Kennedy Middle School. Professionally, I work for Partners Healthcare as a population health software application manager, where I help build tools to help clinicians care for our most vulnerable patient populations. I’ve been the President of Waltham Youth Baseball for the past five years, and I’ve served on Waltham’s Board of Health since 2006. I’m currently an organizer for the Waltham 135thAnniversary Parade, and I am a first-time candidate.

JL: What is one of your favourite Waltham memories?

Bill Hanley: Waltham has always had amazing opportunities for kids. Hanging out at the Wal-lex is something I’ll never forget, and I miss it. The Wal-lex was a great social club for kids, and was the place to be. You could ride your bike there and bowl, play arcade games, roller-skate, mini-golf, and get an ice cream all at one place. The Wal-lex will always be my favorite childhood memory.

JL: Tell us your hobbies.

Bill Hanley: Like most active fathers, my kids’ activities are an enjoyable way to spend time away from work. Coaching a variety of sports never seemed like an obligation. Even when my kids age out of youth sports, I envision myself always coaching. I love home improvement and landscaping projects and am a gadget and electronics geek. I read anything related to American History and am an amateur Waltham Watch collector. Time doesn’t allow for much of it, but I can’t get enough golf, and I recently learned to fly a drone.

JL: What has been your previous involvement been in Waltham politics?

Bill Hanley: As a kid, my grandparents were involved in Waltham politics. I delivered flyers for various candidates, but it wasn’t until I became a parent and homeowner that I saw opportunities to get involved in city government. In 2006, I was appointed to the Waltham Board of Health. My proudest moment was raising the age to purchase tobacco in Waltham to 21, well ahead of the state. This took away the opportunity for high school kids to purchase tobacco, which had an effect on reducing teenage smoking.

JL: Do you consider yourself a politician?

Bill Hanley: As a candidate for elected office, in the true sense of the word politician, I am, and I do. I believe a good politician is someone who can accept compromise, accept accountability, and can build relationships to improve their constituent’s quality of life. Those are bedrock principles of my campaign for Ward 2.

JL: When and why did you consider running for City Council Ward 2?

Bill Hanley: In the summer of 2018, after long discussions with my wife and family, I decided I would run for city council in Waltham. I was planning on running for an at-large council seat, but when the Ward 2 seat opened up, I jumped at the chance to represent my neighborhood. My parents were both raised in Ward 2 and it is a close-knit neighborhood where I can make a positive impact. Ward 2 is a walking and biking neighborhood close to everything and with fantastic recreation areas. I believe Waltham needs to go through a period of modernization. I want a Waltham where my children can affordably raise their own families and the future generations have the same great opportunities I had.

JL: How does Waltham inspire you?

Bill Hanley: I took advantage of everything Waltham had to offer. I got a great education, played sports, was involved in music and theater, and had every chance to succeed. Both of my parents owned Waltham small businesses when I was young, as did both of my grandmothers. They were both very successful professional women and my role models. My parents never missed an event and they showed me that being involved in charities and organizations was how you helped those that were dealt a different hand. My sons are now my greatest inspiration. I see a different Waltham through their eyes, a better Waltham, and Waltham that needs elected officials that don’t have an agenda. I want them to have even better opportunities I had, and that’s why I want to be the next City Councillor to represent Ward 2.

JL: Do you have a particular leadership style?

Bill Hanley: Good leaders don’t ask anyone to do something, or perform a task, that they wouldn’t do themselves. Professionally, I manage a team of IT professionals and when I make assignments, there are times I have to roll up my sleeves and lend a hand. Leaders can’t be afraid to get their hands dirty. Showing up only goes so far, but when you prove to people you are reliable, responsible and accountable, you see success as a leader. That’s the leader I want to be for Ward 2.

JL: Is there anything about local politics that you find particularly challenging?

Bill Hanley: In politics and government, solutions take a lot of time to implement. That can be frustrating. I’m sure everyone who believed they had a great solution or idea felt that government took too much time. Gaining consensus is a skill I’ve learned through experience, but gaining consensus takes time and patience. Tolstoy said the two most powerful warriors are patience and time, and I think that holds true with government. All voices must be heard, you must consider competing priorities and always be willing to compromise.

JL: In your profession, do you have to travel? How much of your time do you spend away from home for work or vacation?

Bill Hanley: My company is based locally, and all of my travel is between Waltham and Somerville. I’m also lucky to have a schedule where I can work from home two days per week. Shaving commuting time from a work schedule is invaluable. My family and I take 1-2 vacations per year, and we certainly travel locally for youth sports. Travel would not be a barrier if elected the next City Councillor for Ward 2.

JL:Is there a main message in your campaign that you would like voters to know?

Bill Hanley: Waltham has always been a desirable community to live, work, and raise a family. We have always had low taxes matched with city services that are the envy of Massachusetts. All of my decisions as a City Councillor will be made with a frame of mind to maintain that balance for future generations. That will not be easy, but my perspective is unique in this race. I’m a lifelong Waltham resident who sacrificed to buy a home and stay in Waltham. I remember vividly after graduating from college, I couldn’t afford to move out of my parents’ home. I waited tables and learned to do more with less. I believe that sets me apart in this Ward 2 race.

For more information about Bill's views as he runs for City Council Ward 2, you may visit his website.