After serving five years on the Rockland Board of Selectmen, Mike Mullen says he will not seek re-election this spring.
Mullen says it’s with bittersweet emotions that he will not be a candidate for re-election in April.
“I have four more months of work, and we have a lot to do in those four months,” said Mullen. “I will work just as hard as I always have, but I really want to take an opportunity now to thank the residents of Rockland for their trust, and their faith and confidence in me.”
In five years, it was far from the easiest of terms for a Selectman. The board parted ways with the former Town Administrator and Town Accountant. Scandal rocked Town Hall, leading to the resignation of two selectmen. Now, a global pandemic and difficult budgets.
“One of the most challenging times in Rockland’s history in dealing with a very difficult set of situations a few years ago. We got through those and I firmly believe that we came out a heck of a lot stronger on the other side,” said Mullen. “We have an incredible Town Administrator, we have an incredible Assistant Town Administrator, and we have a great group of staff at Town Hall. I have great colleagues on the board who I served with.”
He says he’s most proud of helping start the group Reimagine Rockland – which promotes the Union Street Corridor and revitalization in town.
But, with a young family and growing responsibilities at work, it was time for something different.
“I want to turn my attention to another form of volunteering in my community,” said Mullen. “I want to be the soccer coach, I want to plan on being the Boy Scout or Girl Scout leader, coaching softball, coaching soccer. All those things to be there for my family, to be there for my kids, and to be there for the other youth in Rockland.”
With nomination papers available, Mullen is hoping this is an opportunity for the next person to keep the town moving forward.
