Jass Stewart in Brockton Mayor race

"Are you looking for real leadership?
"Are you looking for change?
"Well, look no further!"

With those words Jass Stewart made it official. He is running hard for Mayor of Brockton and he intends to win this time. On Saturday, February 10th at the Shaw's Center, next to the Brockton Rox Stadium, he brought the crowd of 200 supporters to their feet several times during his 15-minute speech.
Leadership was his main theme. "Simply having the title of leader isn't enough anymore," said Stewart. The city is stagnating because of unimaginative and lethargic leaders who serve because it's their "turn." "This year it's not our turn. It's our time!" he said to enthusiastic cheers.
Stewart says that he wants to bring a new kind of governance - "fresh and respectful leadership." "Too many people walk away from the table without respect," said Stewart. He promised to pool the best ideas and implement them no matter where they came from because the people of Brockton are stronger than the issues that divide them. He promised accountability and equal access for all citizens to town officials.
He talked about growing up in a housing project in Texas with a school teacher mother and a dad who performed "back-breaking" work and belonged to a union. His background taught him the value of hard work, community, democracy and education. He is a graduate of Boston University and M.I.T. and owns his own media/consulting business based in Brockton.
He warned that the current administration is going to be offering excuses about its lack of progress in the past 2 years and reminded the crowd that it only took 2 years to write the U. S. Constitution. "I look forward to the next two years of getting the job done and done well," said Stewart.
He wants Brockton schools to become examples of excellence, small businesses to thrive, more home ownership and less crime. "Buying a home is just as important as holding on to the home you have," said Stewart. He warned that "no street is safe until every street is safe."
He also challenged the crowd, echoing Deval Patrick's message of civic engagement. "Good leadership by itself is not enough. We also need good citizenship," said Stewart. "You have to do your part to ensure that Brockton has the leaders it deserves."
Before his speech, Stewart was introduced by several Brockton supporters, including a U. S. Army veteran who had worked on Jass' last campaign, a member of the Brockton firefighters' union, the owners of the Brockton-based business "Cindy's Kitchen," Cindy and Eddie Byers, Stewart's campaign manager Lara Thomas and long time supporter Jody Price. Also there was a member of the Board of Education from Camden, N.J., a formerly thriving industrial city of 80,000 that had fallen on hard times, where Jass had worked as an urban planning consultant to improve the public schools in that city. She endorsed his candidacy whole-heartedly saying, "If he did so much for us on a part-time basis as an outsider, imagine what he could do full-time as the Mayor of Brockton."
The campaign collected contributions and volunteers at tables in the entry way. Volunteers are needed for door-to-door canvassing, calls and more. For text of the speeches, to contribute online or sign up as a volunteer, go to Stewart for Mayor Website.
There's primary in mid-September. So far, Stewart and the current Mayor James Harrington are the only two announced candidates.
The general election is Nov. 6th.