Two Weeks Toward Change

Dear Melrose Community, 

I am thinking of you and your families during these very difficult and uncertain times, and I am grateful to be working with you, in partnership, to support every Melrose resident and to build a stronger and more just community.

The interconnected crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and the long-overdue national reckoning on race and equity, sparked by the killing of George Floyd and other people of color, continue to present challenges to every community in the United States. The nation has begun a necessary and very difficult introspection into racial equity and how to move forward toward a more perfect union, one where every resident is valued and shares equally in the American dream.

My administration is committed to the important mission of advancing diversity, equity and inclusion here in our City. We know that this requires a long-term, sustained, intentional effort to make lasting progress. We know that it will require the entire community to meet this challenge. It will mean starting and continuing a dialogue among all our residents, police, firefighters, City Hall staff, educators, students, businesses, and visitors, even when that conversation is challenging. Throughout this process, we will need to trust people of good faith who participate in these conversations, and we all need to listen to their perspectives.

Melrose is a great place to live, work, learn, and raise a family, and I am proud to be your mayor. We have work to do in order to achieve our goal of being “One Community, Open to All.” That’s a challenge that we all have a responsibility—and an opportunity—to meet. Together, I think we can do it.

The attached report contains our first set of actions and recommendations. It was the result of a review of policies and procedures within our City Departments. This report is a first step in moving the community forward. I invite you to read it, share it with your friends, and join the conversation. To offer comments on the report, please send an email to dei@cityofmelrose.org.

Sincerely,

Paul Brodeur