5 throw hats in the ring for Quincy’s empty Ward 2 seat – The Patriot Ledger

Mary Whitfill|The Patriot Ledger

QUINCYFive Ward 2 residents have expressed interest in filling the seat oflongtime City Councilor Brad Croall, who stepped down this week after almost 10 years in the position.

Anthony Andronico, vice chairof the Quincy School Committee; Richard Ash, board member of the Ward 2 Civic Association; Ken Augen, a local lawyer; Mary Jo Brogna, a nurse and a member of the Quincy College Board of Governors; and Dana Harkin, president of the Penn's Hill Neighborhood Association, have all put their names forward to fill the final year of Croall's term.

City councilors will review the candidates and make a final decision at a special council meeting Monday.

Andronico, 27, is in the final year of his first four-year term on the school committee. He is serving his first year as vice chair.

A lifelong Quincy resident, Andronico said he is excited about the prospect of representing Ward 2. He works full time as an aide to state Sen. Patrick O'Connor, R-Weymouth,and said he was raised to "step up" when opportunities to help others present themselves.

"Brad has lived up to the very high expectations of the people of Ward 2 for the last decade by listening to their concerns and advocating on their behalf at city hall," Andronico said. "The next year is very critical for the city of Quincy as we navigate this pandemic,and I think it's really important that the next person who steps into this role isable to live up to theexpectations Brad put in place."

Andronico said he would work to involve neighbors in ongoing Faxon Park improvements and the renovation of the Fore River Clubhouse, as well as work to ensure new development in Quincy benefits existing residents.

"If I get the opportunity to work on the council, I'll do what I've always done to make resources more accessible and processes more transparentto better serve the people of Quincy," he said.

Ash is an associate in the civil litigation division ofBaker, Braverman & Barbadoro, a Quincy-based law firm.

Ash, 28, is a lifelong resident of Quincy Point and is aboard member of the Ward 2 Civic Association, treasurer of the Ward 2 Democratic City Committee, vice president of Quincy Pride and a member of the Quincy Democratic Committee.

The council seat is the first elected position Ash has sought. He saidhis everyday work and interests align with the position.

"My family has been inQuincy, specifically in Ward 2, for over 130 years at this point," he said. "I'm service driven and constituent services is basically what I do. As a practicing attorney you're talking about connecting with people at pivotalpoints in their lives and helping them through them, and that's also what the city council is all about. It's in my blood."

Ash also mentioned the Fore River Clubhouse and Faxon Park projects as things he would like to focus on if chosen, as well as ongoing projects at the U.S.S. Salem in the shipyard.He said he's also interested in engaging the community in council decisions, despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

"We want to make sure the city is progressing, but also preserve the history we in the city and Ward 2 love so much," he said. "I'm really looking forward to trying to take on the appointment and, if not, running the race."

Augen, also alawyer, ownsAugen LawOffices in Quincy. He's lived and practiced in the city since 2008 and has a young daughter in Quincy schools.

'I've always been interested ingetting involved in the political scene but wasn't sure exactly when and how that opportunity would arise, but here we are," he said. "There is a lot going on in Quincy right now with development andrisingtaxes, and I thought this would be an opportunity to represent the people in my ward who are concerned about these things. ... I think this is an opportunity to help constituents have their voices heard."

Augen said he's also concerned about thecity's homeless population, particularly those who camp near Faxon Park. He said he's new to the political landscape, and hopes his fresh perspective lends something new to Quincy politics.

"I've dealt with eminentdomain issues, inspection services and I feel like I have a working knowledge of how the regulatory landscape works," Augen said. "I think my background and skill set would be well-suited to help people in my ward address issues they have."

Harkin, 39,is the president and a founding member of the Penn's Hill Neighborhood Association. The organization was heavily involved in decisions surrounding the long-debated Quincy Adams pedestrian gate.

"I absolutely loved it. I got to do a lot of great work with the residents in that neighborhood," she said. "The council is a great opportunity toward the next step of involvement in this city. Just the last five to 10 years has seen amazing change in the city, and I really think the time is right."

Harkin said she wants to make sure every resident who wants to can be involved with issues in their neighborhoods. She has been involved with the Faxon Park revitalization efforts, and said she's heard from many residents who would like to get more involved in similar projects. She also spoke briefly about the city council's efforts to create a department of social justice and equity.

"We have a very diverse city," she said."I know that (Council President Nina Liang) is working on seeing what resources are needed for communities who may not be as heard as others, and I'm very interested in that."

Brogna,a longtime member of the Quincy College Board of Governors, did not reply to requests for comment for this article.

Croall, who was first sworn in as councilor in 2012, stepped down following last week's council meeting. He said the decision will give him more time to spend with his growing family.

Because Croall ran unopposed in the last election and resigned in the second year of his term,councilors are able to choose his replacement. If he'd had opponents in the November2019 election, the second-highest vote-getter would have beenappointed to fill the seat. If he hadresigned in 2020, a special election would have been held.

Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.

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5 throw hats in the ring for Quincy's empty Ward 2 seat - The Patriot Ledger