Endorsements
The bulk of Marilee’s career has been in state government. Thus, there are few in Bridgewater who have interacted with her professionally. This page provides the citizens of Bridgewater with professional endorsements regarding Marilee’s capacity to effect change, bring diverse entities together and move government forward. These endorsements underscore Marilee’s ability to accomplish what her platform outlines in the “ladder statement.”
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Donald B. DeLutis
Former Principal, McElwain School
Former Bridgewater-Raynham School Committee member and chair
I worked with Marilee Kenney Hunt on the 2004-5 Bridgewater School Study Committee appointed by the Bridgewater Board of Selectmen. That committee was made up of a diverse group of citizens and town employees. Ms. Hunt was efficient and diligent in the task and she moved the committee forward under sometimes difficult circumstances.
In the course of meetings, I watched her moderate disagreements---on at least one occasion quite a hostile verbal confrontation---and negotiate varying attitudes to produce a report that was fair, balanced and informative. In addition, I witnessed her strength when, in very poor health and against the forces of the Board of Selectmen, she presented the report to Town Meeting and received the only known standing ovation during such a meeting.
We need change in the way Bridgewater is governed. I am sure with the ability to conduct meetings in a civil manner Marilee will have a very positive effect on the way business is conducted by the Board of Selectmen. Marilee has my support and may attach my name to indicate that I stand behind what is written here.
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Victoria Fahlberg, PhD, MPH
Former Commissioner and Steering Committee Member
Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence
I worked with Marilee Kenney Hunt during my four years on the steering committee for the Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence. The most arduous task, every year, was determining budget recommendations, as we received millions of dollars more in requests than we could bring to the Governor. We had to cut and cut and cut. Ms. Hunt demonstrated great strength in facilitating this process, finding compromise among the many interests, and deal fairly yet firmly with the strong personalities on this committee. In her complicated position as the Executive Director of the Commission, she managed to walk a tight line between the Romney administration and steering committee members who sometimes had very different ideas on policy and legislative priorities. Ms. Hunt brings people together, yet stands firm on what she knows is right. I endorse Marilee Kenney Hunt without reservation.
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Laurie Salame, J.D.
Lecturer, Isenberg School of Management
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
From our first work together over fifteen years ago, it became evident that Marilee Kenney Hunt is a tireless and devoted public servant. She is able to: listen to those around her; assess broad needs; articulate realistic and measurable goals; turn it all into action; and ultimately achieve results. These are admirable skills in any setting, but that she is able to do this, time and time again, within the narrow confines of governmental offices and agencies speaks volumes of her character, strength, and accomplishments.
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Layla D'Emilia-Shepherd, Esq.
Bridgewater Resident
I've worked with Marilee Kenney Hunt for more than 8 years and from my positions in the statewide private, non-profit sector and local and state government, have found her to be dedicated to understanding the legal and social concerns of the criminal and civil justice system. Marilee is a particularly strong advocate for victims of crime working tirelessly to safeguard their treatment within “the system” to mitigate the impact of the violence perpetrated against them.
Marilee created, then led the implementation of the innovative, SAFEPLAN (Safety Assistance For Every Person Leaving Abuse Now) program. SAFEPLAN is a statewide, court-based program which provides specially trained and certified advocates to assist victims of domestic violence seeking protection from abuse.
Marilee has helped shape and influence state and federal policies, legislation, protocols and other responses impacting victims of violence. She has developed trusting and meaningful relationships with many in local, state and federal government, non-profits and the private sector. Marilee's commitment to victims of violence is unprecedented. Bridgewater residents will be lucky to have her commitment and depth of experience on the Board of Selectmen.
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David Lisak, Ph.D.
Forensic Psychologist
Former member, Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence Framingham, Massachusetts
I am a witness to the skill, grace and efficiency displayed by Marilee Kenney Hunt in uniting the Commonwealth’s disparate agencies and non-profit organizations that participated in the Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence. Marilee was tireless and extraordinarily effective in corralling the often competing interests of individuals and organizations and in focusing them on a common goal – improving the safety and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth. I sincerely hope that the citizens of Bridgewater will see the wisdom of harnessing Marilee’s talent, energy and grace in the service of their town’s future.
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Monica Ghosh Driggers, J.D.
Policy Analyst
Former member, Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence, Justice and Accountability Committee
As the Executive Director of the Governor's Commission on Sexual and Domestic violence, Marilee Kenney Hunt demonstrated extraordinary skill in forging partnerships between representatives for entrenched and competing interests. She used her abilities as a seasoned public servant to apply evidence-based approaches to complex public safety problems, and she engineered innovative approaches to long-standing budget difficulties that had gone unattended under prior administrations. Most importantly, Marilee has a combination of talents rarely found in public service: she can provide leadership, execute a vision, and stay practical all the while. The town of Bridgewater would do well to make good use of those talents.
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Tom Clark
New Bedford School Committee Member
Marilee Kenney Hunt will make a great Selectman for the Town of Bridgewater. I have seen just how effective she can be, Her leadership is just what Bridgewater needs.
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Marianne Winters
Director, Everywoman's Center
University of Massachusetts Amherst
I endorse Marilee Kenney Hunt. In matters of public safety, she is a creative and practical leader and due to her work, untold victims of crime have experienced greater safety and justice while the perpetrators have been held accountable. If you're looking for a problem solver and someone who can unite Bridgewater, you've found both in Marilee.
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Janet Fine
Former Co-Chair, Child and Adolescent Committee
Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence
There is no one more committed to the diverse needs of a community who can both knowledgeable and skillful bring together people to raise issues, discuss them frankly and productively, and develop meaningful solutions than Marilee Kenney Hunt. Her personal qualities, professional experience and expertise have enabled her as a beacon to many; her wisdom, guidance, and leadership are unsurpassed.
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Carin Kale, Hamilton, MA
In the public sector there is rarely only one right answer. Solving problems is a difficult task that requires the ability to listen to entrenched constituencies and to find a compromise solution. I worked with Marilee Kenney Hunt for many years in Massachusetts state government and found her to be a hard worker and an excellent listener who brought people together to find agreeable solutions. Marilee would make an outstanding selectman for Bridgewater.
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David Adams, Ed.D.
Co-Director, Emerge
Coordinator, National Domestic Violence Danger Assessment Training Project
Author, Why Do They Kill? Men Who Murder Their Intimate Partners
I have known Marilee Kenney Hunt as a colleague in the domestic violence and sexual assault prevention field for over 15 years, including during her tenure as Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence and previously in the Programs Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety (EOPS). In each capacity, Marilee was widely respected as a leader in state government who combined strong strategic vision with compassion. At EOPS, Marilee oversaw hundreds of contracts with law enforcement agencies and non-profit programs that enabled them to develop more comprehensive partnerships to address domestic and sexual violence. She was brilliant in her ability to help members of law enforcement and victim advocates to not only overcome their differences, but beyond that, suggest ways they could work together to develop community-wide interventions and prevention. At the same time, Marilee worked to restore financial accountability to the grants process at EOPS developing more stringent grant award and reporting protocols. As Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence, Marilee was universally admired for her skill and integrity in bringing people together to craft a unified budget proposal for state funding of sexual assault and domestic violence initiatives in Massachusetts.
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George Perkins
As a former employee of Marilee's at the Executive Office of Public Safety, I can uniquely speak to her strengths in grant and fiscal management, as well as public policy development. During lean years of federal cuts, Marilee found a way to maintain funding to every program, and worked tirelessly with other state funders to keep programs not only running, but strengthened and enhanced. Marilee will do this for the myriad of programs and funding streams pertaining to the Town of Bridgewater".
In Marilee, the people of Bridgewater not only have a candidate with a proven record of public administration and management, but a candidate who is truly driven by internal motivation to do what is right, despite any difficulty she might face. I have witnessed this as Marilee's employee, and as a friend. The people of Bridgewater are very lucky to have her as a resident and leader in their town, and there truly is not a better candidate for Selectman than Marilee Kenney Hunt.
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Thomas M, King, MSW
Hartford, Connecticut
I witnessed firsthand Marilee Kenney Hunt’s leadership abilities during her tenure as Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Sexual and Domestic Violence. Working with a number of agencies, she demonstrated a remarkable ability to respect varying agendas while staying focused on the singular goal of the Commission. She accomplished the daunting task of creating viable budget and policy recommendations in the face of significant political and budget crises.
Marilee’s commitment and sense of integrity make her the perfect leader for Bridgewater. Her focus will remain on the important work ahead, not on politicking, infighting or cronyism.
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Susan Finegan, Esquire
Partner: Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC, Boston, MA
I wholeheartedly endorse Marilee Kenney Hunt for Selectman of Bridgewater. While she attempts to build consensus on important issues, she never compromises her own beliefs and is very willing to speak truthfully and directly. She has a long history of working with different constituencies - including police, government, and advocates --and is well-respected by all and known for her earnest and hard-working qualities.
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