PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Linda Tyer was unanimously elected president of the Massachusetts Mayors Association during the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Association held virtually on Jan. 21.

 

"I am deeply honored to be chosen for this position by my peers and I look forward to continuing my work with them and with the MMA in this new leadership position," Tyer said. "As any mayor or local official can attest to, our communities are facing common challenges and are united on an agenda for growth and advancement."

 

Tyer was elected by her mayoral colleagues to lead the association, which meets regularly throughout the year so mayors of the state can discuss and strategize on issues facing cities and towns, including local aid, transportation, education, housing, economic development, and job creation. She will serve a one-year term.

 

The association is a member group of the MMA, the statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization for cities and towns. By virtue of her election, the mayor will continue to serve as a member of the MMA Board of Directors.

 

"Mayor Tyer is widely recognized as a remarkable leader in her community and across the commonwealth," said MMA Executive Director Geoff Beckwith. "The mayors of our state have asked her to be their leader in advancing the needs of our cities and towns, and we are very pleased that she has accepted this key post."

 

Tyer said no city or town can "go it alone" and it is important to work together on critical issues.

 

"The conversations will center this year on winning powerful investments in local aid, transportation, housing, infrastructure, and education to grow our economy, create jobs and build a strong recovery," she said. "We are committed to working with Gov. Baker and the Legislature to forge a partnership between the state and our cities and towns, so we can create a vibrant future for every community throughout Massachusetts."

 

As a member of the MMA Board of Directors, Tyer will also serve on the statewide Local Government Advisory Commission (LGAC), which meets throughout the year with top state leaders to discuss issues facing cities and towns.

 

"Mayor Tyer's knowledge and skill will be of enormous value to all of the cities and towns of Massachusetts," Beckwith said. "She is a forceful and effective advocate on behalf of local officials and taxpayers in all communities, as mayors and local leaders promote a robust partnership with the state in our common work to make Massachusetts stronger and more prosperous. We are deeply grateful that Mayor Tyer has stepped forward to assume this essential leadership role."