About Ward 1 City Councillor Gary Christenson...
Gary Christenson was born in 1968 and raised in the City of Malden, where he now serves in public office on the Malden City Council. Currently residing at 72 Ashland Street, Gary is a proud citizen of the Malden community. He appreciates the support of his family, which includes his parents, Jeff and Carol Christenson, and his sister and brother-in-law, Erika and Erik Israelson, their son, Nicholas Jeffrey, and their daughter, Cassandra Ann.
An achiever with a strong work ethic, Gary has long been a familiar face with his neighbors in Ward 1. At the age of ten, Gary began delivering newspapers in his neighborhood. While attending high school and college, Gary continued to work in the Malden community, including a stint at Ryan Family Amusements. While there, Gary kept active with Malden's youth by organizing charitable activities, such as youth tournaments to benefit organizations including the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, American Red Cross, Tri-City Housing Task Force for Homeless Families, and Malden's own, Bread of Life.
Educated at the Belmont School, Lincoln Junior High School, and Malden High School, Christenson credits his interest in public service to the encouragement he received as a Malden Public School student. Gary campaigned for office and served as Class President in his junior and senior years in high school. After graduating from Malden High School in 1986, Gary pursued his education at Suffolk University, where he served as Student Government President for two years. During his term, Gary designed and lobbied for a tuition reduction program at Suffolk University by which students who achieved a certain cumulative average would receive a break in tuition payments. This is a program that still benefits Suffolk University students today. In 1990, Gary achieved his Bachelor of Science. He then went on to Suffolk University's School of Management and graduated with honors, receiving a Master of Public Administration degree in 1992. On May 18, 2003, Gary graduated Suffolk University Law School with his Law Degree and he passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam in 2005.
As a former member of the Malden School Committee, Gary has a long record of achievements, including spending one day a month at the Ferryway School to learn first hand the issues affecting parents and students, developed a Ferryway School e-mail tree for parents to receive timely school information, co-chaired the Class Size Subcommittee whose findings are being incorporated into the Malden Public Schools long-range plans, chaired the Substitute Teacher Subcommittee whose findings are being implemented across the school system, led the Budget Subcommittee during tight fiscal times, and helped negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement for the teachers.
During his four years on the City Council, Gary has worked hard on improving neighborhood communication and quality of life issues, including the raising of the pride and spirit of Ward 1. Gary is proud to say that there are close to 400 people on the neighborhood e-mail system. Councillor Christenson is also happy that Green Street Park is undergoing renovations for the first time in 30 years. Events such as "The Neighborhood Sweep," Mother's Day Breakfast, Flag Day, July 4th Celebration, Jazz Night, Back-to-School Bowling Party, and the Holiday Parade have helped lift the pride and spirit of the neighborhood.
On citywide affairs, Gary has served on the Ordinance, License, Public Safety, and Finance Committees. In 2006, Gary was elevated to Chairman of the Finance Committee. Christenson is also a member of the Mystic Valley Development Commission which is in charge of redeveloping a longstanding economic eyesore in Ward 1. Gary also took the lead to keep Palmer Manufacturing in Malden and his efforts resulted in 15 year agreement with Palmer guaranteeing 60 new jobs with Malden preference. Councillor Christenson voted to minimize our property tax rates as much as possible and he led the charge in the City Council passing the first ever residential tax incentive which will benefit Malden’s homeowners.
His most humble moment recently came in May, 2007 when he was asked to serve as the President of the Executive Board of the Bread of Life. Bread of Life is a volunteer organization serving the hungry, homeless, needy, and isolated. Christenson stated that he always thought of the Bread of Life as one of our unsung heroes in today’s society and that he was truly honored and privileged by this appointment.
Throughout his life, Gary has dedicated his professional life to public service. In 1994, Gary's background in finance and budget management led him to be selected by Speaker Thomas M. Finneran to serve as a Budget Analyst on the prestigious House Committee on Ways and Means at the Massachusetts State House. Gary was later promoted on the Committee to serve as Revenue Director and in 1997 he became Special Assistant to the Committee. At the State House, Gary was responsible for establishing the State House Gift Shop for tourists. In 1998, Gary accepted the position of Budget Director at the office of Middlesex Sheriff James V. DiPaola. There he manages an overall budget worth over $70M and works with other managers to ensure the efficient operation of the Cambridge Jail and Billerica House of Correction. Gary also serves the Middlesex Sheriff's Office by working closely with the Massachusetts State Legislature.
For more information about Christenson, please call (781) 324-4820
or email
Gary.