Kerry manager Jennings joins Marblehead finance

MARBLEHEAD-Marblehead?s newest member of the Finance Committee has a direct line to the U.S. Senate.Jon Jennings, who serves as U.S. Senator John Kerry?s state director and manages the senator?s Massachusetts activities, was unanimously named to the committee by selectmen last week. He will serve until 2010.The appointment left the nine-member committee with seven members and two more openings, one until 2009 and the other until 2010.The Indiana University graduate has a master?s degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He formerly served as assistant coach and scout for the Boston Celtics, as a Principal Deputy Attorney General of the United States during the 2001 transition period and as a partner in two investment firms.He first moved to Marblehead while he was with the Celtics in 1986 and “fell in love with the ocean and the town,” a love that persisted even after he moved to Boston. Once he had children, he moved back.?I?ve spent a lot of my life trying to make a difference through public service,” he said, explaining his interest in the committee.Selectmen pointed out that the committee?s heaviest commitments are coming right up. The budget season begins with the selectmen?s annual state of the town meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.