New Bedford’s Mayor Has a Firm Hand on the Tiller [OPINION]

Ideas have consequences and so do elections. The folks of New Bedford have an opportunity to reelect a serious man to help shape their future.

I spent an hour discussing the future of New Bedford with Mayor Jon Mitchell on my radio show this week. You can listen to the entire interview here:

The people of New Bedford have repeatedly reelected Jon Mitchell to be their leader. When he is reelected to the first four-year term in the history of the city, he will be on track to be the longest continuously serving New Bedford mayor.

New Bedford, known as the Whaling City, is one of America's oldest and greatest cities. New Bedford has been the wealthiest city in the world. If you have traveled, you know just how many people are familiar with New Bedford. Herman Melville deserves some credit for making New Bedford famous, but certainly not all of it.

Mitchell earned a degree in economics at Harvard University. He was an officer in the military. He earned a law degree and served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Boston office of the Justice Department. His wife is a renowned cancer surgeon and together they are raising a family.

In 2011, he was elected to his first term as the Mayor of New Bedford. He defeated two extremely qualified challengers in 2011.

New Bedford, like many older industrial cities, has its problems. Mitchell doesn't ignore those issues or blame them on others. He clearly views them as a challenge and an opportunity.

Listen to what Mayor Jon Mitchell has to say when he discusses his city with me.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.