Biography
Jack
Lees
Family
 John T. ‘Jack’ Yunits, Jr has been the Mayor of
the City of Brockton since January 1996 and has been on a successful
mission to revitalize the city through business retention and
growth as well as investment in educational priority. As Mayor,
Jack Yunits has worked tirelessly for the improvement of the
City of Champions and has a great vision for its future. Besides
championing new schools and trying to shepherd new projects
or innovate new approaches to solve old problems, his ear must
constantly be tuned to all voices from the community.
Jack
left the comfort of a very successful private law practice and
committed himself to lead the City he loved. He is currently
serving his fifth term of office. And has been the motivating
force behind Brockton’s re-emergence in the 21st century.
During his tenure, the city's real estate value has increased
by over $3 billion to more than $5.5 billion in total value
and as Mayor he has sought to improve the quality of life in
the City of Champions for all its residents. The median price
of a detached single family home has risen from $81,500 in 1995
to over $234,000 in 2004. During his tenure nearly 38 miles
of Brockton roads have been either resurfaced or improved through
water and sewer infrastructure upgrades.
The
job of Mayor is really two jobs. The first is as chief executive.
Mayor Yunits spearheaded the campaign to build three new schools
under the state's 90-10 reimbursement formula and has positioned
the city to receive comparable funding for three additional
schools to continue to provide quality education for Brockton's
17,000 school age students. Bricks and mortar are just part
of it. Brockton's schools have been recognized by the State's
Department of Education for excellence in MCAS performance and
the high school has been singled out for a grant award as a
Compass School. As Chairman of the School Committee he has been
instrumental in championing the creation of two alternative
high schools.
Jack
has been able to bring both business and civic leaders together
for a number of exciting new developments including the construction
of Campanelli Stadium and the Shaw’s Center. He has most profoundly
influenced the landscape of Brockton by providing an atmosphere
of cooperation and understanding to the myriad and complex problems
that confront an older urban area.
His
second job is at once both quarterback and cheerleader for projects
great and small that run the gamut from an innovative desalination
plant for Brockton's future drinking water needs to promoting
reading with first graders. As the chief spokesman for the City
of Champions, numerous professional and civic organizations
invite his attention to their cause aware of his legendary generosity
of time, energy and spirit. He is sought continually as a speaker
and fund raiser.
As
Chairman of the Brockton Area Transportation Board he has diligently
overseen the pursuit and construction of the new transportation
center on the site of an abandoned car dealership in downtown
Brockton. This same site will soon showcase a parking garage
for nearby residents and downtown workers. Projects such as
these involve both the federal and state government approval
and support. Such support does not come automatically to petitioning
communities. Extensive coordination and lobbying of the state
delegation and Congressional offices is a necessity. Again,
cooperation and consensus building are the pillars of success.
Under
his leadership and guidance dozens of new businesses have moved
to the city creating and maintaining over 2500 jobs including
the revitalized Westgate Mall. He has continually supported
the arts and the effort to beautify the downtown with an extensive
reconstruct and design of new sidewalks punctuated with tree
plantings and improved street lighting to include the greening
of the Salisbury River and the complimentary lighted walkway.
Part of this project has been the expansion and renovation of
the Main Branch of the Brockton Public Library on Main Street.
The
City is about to unveil an exciting plan based upon Governor
Romney’s Smart Growth Strategy called the “Urban Renaissance
District” designed to partner with state agencies and private
developers to bring housing and new business to the city’s many
underutilized mill buildings.
The newest school, the Arnone, is a poignant and stark example
for Brockton residents of the dynamic and visionary force he
has brought to the 'City of Champions'. Where once stood an
abandoned tannery as a memorial to Brockton's storied past;
the surrounding commercial enterprises had little incentive
to change. The school construction project spawned the creation
of a corner park and walkway as well as sparking the complete
renovation of an auto body repair business; now transformed
into a modern corporate bank office and branch by Rockland Trust
Company. Another abutter of this area, the Brockton Boys &
Girls Club has recently undertaken an expansion and renovation
of their property as well. The beauty of this area and adjacent
grounds stand as a beacon to his vision for Brockton and an
inviting gateway to the city's downtown, which is now home to
Plymouth County's new Trial Court.
Well
regarded throughout the country for his experience and hands
on approach to challenges, he was picked by the former US Conference
of Mayors President, Tom Menino to Chair the Workforce Development
Committee.
Mayor
Yunits is an appointed member of the State Brownfields Committee,
Chairman of the Workforce Development Committee for the US Conference
of Mayors, Chairman of Mass Inc., and Mass Clean Water Council,
a member of the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Mayors
Assn.of which until recently he served as president. He is an
active representative to the Local Government Affairs Committee.
Jack Yunits has been the Mayor of
the City of Brockton since January 1996 and has been on a successful
mission to revitalize the city through business retention and
growth, educational priority, and various community involvement
efforts. In November of 2002 the Brockton Mayor was elected
President of the Massachusetts Mayors Assn. which advocates
on behalf of the Commonwealth’s cities. Well regarded throughout
the country for his experience and hands on approach to challenges,
he was picked by the US Conference of Mayors President, Tom
Menino to Chair the Workforce Development Committee.
Below is a quick outline of Jack
Yunits background as well as information on his wife and family.
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Jack and
Lees have four children. Conor, Casey and Breck are in
college. Mairi is attending West Junior High.
Mayor Jack T. Yunits
Jr. was re-elected to a historic Fifth term and inaugurated on
January 5th, 2004. Read the entire speech 