Swampscott selectman vows to continue working with residents

SWAMPSCOTT ? Glenn Kessler plans to run for his second term on the Board of Selectmen, continuing what he says is an advocacy for residents and his theme of more transparency to government.”I would say it’s been an honor and privilege to work with residents,” Kessler said. “I got a lot accomplished, but there’s still more to get done.”Staying involved and getting the community involved is how Kessler feels he has become aware of issues in the community, as well as how he was able to help resolve some of them.Before he was on the board, Kessler was already heavily involved with the community. He held a spot on the recreation committee, was on the board of directors for the Swampscott Little League for about five years and coached in several softball leagues as well as his eldest daughter’s soccer team.It was his coaching, he said, that led him to interact more in depth with parents ? which, in turn, helped him discover issues they had with the way things were run in the town.This fueled his motivation to make a difference, he said, and to make a more inclusive government in which residents could have more of a say.”(My) primary motivation (for running) was that I thought that the residents deserved to have a more diverse group of selectmen,” Kessler saidAs a selectman, Kessler stayed true to his vow to involve residents by holding what he calls “office hours” at the WholeFoods. Every six weekends, he sits down with individuals and discusses what they do or do not agree with, issues they are having with the town and its overall politics.He said he finds these discussions successful and plans to continue them.Kessler has made it a point to stay involved with town activities, such as the “Swampscott’s Got Talent” show that he and his friend and former selectman, David Van Dam, put on (and in which he will perform). Kessler and Van Dam held the show last March and he said it went well. This year, he plans on performing a guitar duet with a friend, as well as play in a rock band that includes a town business inspector and a local businessmen.Kessler also sits on boards such as the Harbor and Waterfront Advisory Committee.”I want to keep an open mind on issues we have in front of us,” Kessler said.