I’m Honored to Keep Serving You and Our City
To the Editor,
As we enter Thanksgiving weekend, I want to thank you and the residents of Chelsea for your trust and support. Because of you and so many across our city, I was the top vote-getter in the 2025 election. While that is something to celebrate, it also humbles me. Chelsea has great needs, and your confidence in my ability to speak and fight for our families and community means a great deal. I do not take that responsibility lightly, and I will continue to speak up for what is right and to defend our city against those who would bring us harm.
This year our city saw voter turnout rise by more than 30%, our first increase in many election cycles. This is real progress and something we can build on for the future. I hope that you will join me in engaging our neighbors so we can remind people that government is supposed to work for the people, and that when we do it right, it can be a safety net for us in the hardest of times.
I want to congratulate our 2026-2027 City Councilors and School Committee members, especially newcomers Councilor-elect Deron Hines and School Committee member-elect JAKE Small. I offer my sincere thanks to Councilor Melinda Vega for her years of service, and I want to recognize the many candidates who stepped forward but did not win. Their willingness to step up allows for us to engage in conversations that put our values to the test, strengthening our community and leaving us better off than before.
Finally, I am grateful for my family and friends who supported this campaign: my wife Sarah and our children Robi and Gloria, for the sacrifices they make so I can be in this role; and the volunteers who knocked doors, made calls, gave rides, cared for the kids, and helped in countless other ways. You gave your time and energy so we could return it in service to Chelsea.
Of course, voting is only the first step. I promise to continue working on a Chelsea that is safe, affordable, and welcoming, and I ask you to take action with me. Find ways to build community in our city. Engage with me and your other elected officials, and hold us accountable to the work we have said we will do.
This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for you and for our city. Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope to see you out there soon!
Roberto Jiménez Rivera
Chelsea City Councilor, At-Large