A Message From Mayor Shaunna O'Connell
I am deeply honored to take the oath to faithfully serve as your Mayor. I first want to thank my loving, patient, and understanding family. Ted, Ashton, Riley, and my whole family always stand by my side and are always there to support me. Their love lifts me up, and I am truly blessed.
Thank you to the wonderful people of Taunton. Today we commence on a new beginning for our beloved city. We are taking this journey together because we see possibilities, not obstacles.
I know that change can be challenging. But without change we remain stagnant, and we have the mandate from the people to move forward. We all know that Taunton is too great for small dreams.
So I stand before you today as your Mayor, ready to roll up my sleeves and go to work for you to bring in this new era for our city where the possibilities are endless.
As a mother, I know how important it is that we invest our time in Taunton’s tomorrow so that our children have better opportunities. We want to keep our families together and see the next generation of Tauntonians prosper.
We create this future while honoring those who have helped build our city. They deserve to enjoy their golden years here. I will be the helping hand they need at City Hall.
We know that our city is facing many longstanding challenges. Dealing with pressing issues, such as waste disposal and water, will require a thoughtful and decisive approach that serves the people in the best manner possible.
We will not put off issues and let them simmer on the back burner, costing taxpayers additional dollars. Like true Tauntonians, we will tackle them together, head-on.
For Taunton to be a leading city in Commonwealth, we must work together on a strategic plan that unites us as one and ensures City Hall is a consumer-friendly resource that will allow the revitalization of our neighborhoods and make downtown a destination. We will be a partner and not a barrier.
I’m committed to growing, while preserving the character and traditions we all love and hold dear.
One vital component for building a beacon city is public safety. It is not only our basic job, but most important one. Reinvigorating our neighborhoods cannot happen if our streets are not safe. I will faithfully support our police and first responders who care deeply about our community and put their lives on the line to serve and protect us.
This will not be an easy journey, but it is one we must take together.
The voters have clearly spoken that they want a new, positive vision and they want our elected officials to put people ahead of politics, working in cooperation for the greater good and best interest of our city.
I will be reaching out to our citizens, our dedicated city employees, and our elected officials to seek their input and to build a united consensus for achieving results. Ideas all the across the board will be welcome, and my door will always be open.
I know that by working in cooperation, we can achieve our shared goal of building a strong and better Taunton, a community of opportunity for all.
We have the positive vision. Now let’s go implement it together. Thank you for this incredible opportunity to serve you.
God bless, and I wish you all the best for the New Year.
Meet Mayor Shaunna O'Connell
Shaunna is a Taunton native proudly raising her family in her hometown. She has been married to her husband, Ted, for 18 years, and their greatest joy is raising their two children, Ashton and Riley.
Nothing has ever been handed to Shaunna. Her parents divorced at an early age. Her family ended up on housing assistance to make ends meet. Shaunna left high school and eventually ended up working two jobs to earn enough money to put herself through college. She spent many years working in the Food Service Department at Morton Hospital, where she was quickly promoted to department supervisor. Upon graduation from college, O’Connell immediately became self-employed as a professional freelance court reporter and has worked in many different areas of the legal system for the past 15 years.
In 2010 Shaunna ran for the Massachusetts House of Representatives and successfully defeated an 18 year incumbent. Since being elected State Representative, she has distinguished herself as a hardworking and determined leader and fiscal watchdog for the people she represents.
Shaunna has been the leader in fighting for welfare reforms. Due to her persistence, the Commonwealth has saved millions of dollars in stopping fraud. She has also been leading the fight for transparency within the MBTA pension fund and stopping illegal immigrants from getting state housing assistance.
Shaunna is a strong advocate for the veterans and has passed legislation helping to honor their memory.
Wanting to put people back to work, Shaunna established the Small Business Caucus and drafted the Small Business Bill of Rights.
As a lifelong resident of Taunton, Shaunna has put in the long hours to help the district. She has successfully advocated to keep Taunton State Hospital open and for more local aid. Going beyond the call of duty, Shaunna established the S.A.F.E. Kids Fun Day program to teach parents and children about public safety. Shaunna also mentors at-risk high school girls.
Her community service includes being a Board Member of the Taunton YMCA and the Grand Old Party Woman's Advisory Board; a volunteer for Taunton Emergency Management Agency; a Sunday School teacher and Missions Committee member at West Congregational. Shaunna also wrote the Safe Church Policy for her church and started the West Church Community Outreach Program. In 2006 she was recognized as Woman of the Year for the church.
Hometown Contacts
Taunton:
City of Taunton: http://www.taunton-ma.gov/Pages/index
Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce: http://www.tauntonareachamber.org/
Downtown Taunton Foundation: http://www.downtowntaunton.org/
Old Colony History Museum: http://www.oldcolonyhistorymuseum.org/
Disabled American Veterans Ch. 57: http://www.davma57.org/
Taunton Area Vietnam Veterans Assoc: http://www.tauntonareavietnamvets.com/
State:
Mass.gov: http://www.mass.gov/portal/
Legislature: https://malegislature.gov/
Senior Citizens: http://www.mass.gov/portal/home-family-veterans/senior-citizens/
Voting Information: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/
Fun For Kids:
US Government for Kids: https://kids.usa.gov/
US History for Kids: http://www.historyforkids.net/american-history.html
Bristol County:
Bristol County Sherrif's Office: http://www.bcso-ma.us/index.htm
Bristol County District Attorney: http://bristolda.com/
Volunteer TODAY!
Paid For By The Committee To Re-elect Shaunna O'Connell
56 Worcester St, Taunton, MA 02780