PEABODY – City Councilor-at-large Tom Gould, who topped the ticket seven times, will not seek re-election in November.
Gould, who has Parkinson’s Disease, said his decision is mainly based on a desire to spend more time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
“I want the schedule to be clear if they have a game or dance recital,” Gould said, referring to his daughter Cortney’s three children.
Gould, who will be 70 in June, first ran for city council in 2011, receiving 9,012 votes, the most in this history of the at-large election. He also finished first the next six times he ran.
“It has been an absolute pleasure,” said Gould, a Lynn native and St. Mary’s High School graduate who worked at GE for 24 years before he and his wife, Sharon, bought Treadwell’s Ice Cream in Peabody in 2000, which they continue to operate with their family. “If you offer to help, people will call and they are thrilled if you’re able to complete the task. I’ve met some wonderful people.”
In addition to public service and ice cream, Gould is perhaps best known for his dedication to those with special needs, having run the Challenger sports program for 34 years.
“That opened all doors for me,” he said. “I’ve had a love affair with Challenger sports.”
Northeast Arc will present him with its Changing Lives Award at its annual gala on April 8.
“Tom Gould is a true public servant in every sense,” said Mayor Ted Bettencourt. “He connects with his constituents on a deeply personal basis and goes above and beyond to help solve their problems. He loves Peabody and strives each day to make it a better place to live, work, and raise a family. On behalf of our entire community, I thank him for hard work and dedication and congratulate him on a richly deserved retirement.”
In addition to Cortney, he and Sharon have an adult son, Michael.
