Yvonne Spicer is running for Mayor! Mayor of Framingham that is. Yes Framingham has step up their game and transitioned into City. Framingham’s first mayor will serve for four years. As head of the executive branch, he or she will steer the community’s transition from a town into a city, taking over functions currently entrusted to the town manager. The mayor will staff municipal departments and appoint more than 100 people to serve on boards and committees. The mayor will also pick a chief operating officer to help oversee municipal business.

The job comes with a sizable salary. Upon taking office on Jan. 1, 2018, the mayor will be eligible to receive $187,639 — the same annual salary paid to current Town Manager Bob Halpin. The new city charter approved by voters last month stipulates the mayor’s pay will be equal to Halpin’s salary as of the end of 2016. so Dr. Yvonne Spicer decided to throw her hat in the ring. There are a total of seven individuals running for the race and she being the only African American has a good start to her campaign. She plans to make Framingham economically vibrant, attractive, safe, and fun – with jobs, solid infrastructure, good education and enjoyable recreation, culture and arts.

A Framingham resident since 1985, Dr. Yvonne Spicer grew up in Brooklyn, New York. By the age of 23 she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts and Technology and a Master of Science degree in Technology Education. She started a teaching career in Framingham and rose to department chair before accepting a leadership position in the Newton district where she led initiatives to involve business leaders, colleges and universities in new programs. She continued her education, earning a Doctorate of Education in 2004 at UMASS Boston, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

A little info about the candidate, In 2008 Yvonne was asked to start a new division at the Museum of Science, Boston. She became the Vice President for Advocacy and Educational Partnerships. In this start up role she developed partnerships with policy makers, municipalities, business leaders, educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. She travels and collaborates with leaders in 35 states and internationally. She is a highly recognized speaker. Governor Deval Patrick appointed her to the inaugural Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council. She was reappointed by Governor Charlie Baker in 2017. She is an advisor to the National Governors Association, a member of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and an Advisory Board Member of the MA State Treasurer’s Economic Empowerment Trust fund. Yvonne is a Framingham Town Meeting Member representing precinct 6 and she serves on the Ways and Means Committee.