A
Message From Tommy
Precinct 1 is made up of an incredibly diverse group. We have streets with tenants primarily, sections with condominium and townhouse owners, and neighborhoods of single family homes. People use automobiles, streetcars, bicycles and their own two feet to get around; we have far more people than cars. We have scores of retirees, many families and a very large number of residents under 35.
I'm running to represent the interests of all residents of Brookline's Precinct 1, not just the home owners, the car drivers, or those who live nearest the issue du jour. All residents need assistance with town services, all residents want beautiful landscaping and safe intersections, and all residents deserve to have their voices heard in the Town Meeting.
My slate and I bring true diversity to Precinct 1's representation, and that broad spectrum of ideas and experiences will result in the Town Meeting hearing from all voices in Precinct 1.
Involvement from everyone leads to a better community for everyone. For
most and for a variety of reasons, a person's role is limited to voting,
talking with neighbors about important local issues, and staying informed.
Other times, leadership is needed—leadership to identify how the community
could improve, leadership to identify the path to that improvement, and
leadership to encourage others to contribute to that solution. I visualize
a Precinct that accommodates all residents, and I hope you will join me
to work toward that goal.
Thank You,
About Tommy Vitolo
Born in 1978, Tommy grew up in a loving, working class home in Brookfield, Connecticut. When his parents moved to Virginia in 1993, he stayed in Connecticut to finish high school, then earning the Park Scholarship, a full, merit-based award, to North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
His four years at State were wonderful and formative. While working on three Bachelor of Science degrees, Tommy was instrumental in creating Service Raleigh, a community service project that has inspired a decade of community involvement in the Raleigh area. The success of this initiative has only helped affirm his lifelong interest in service and community engagement.
Tommy graduated from NC State with honors, and was awarded the Mitchell Scholarship, which funded his Masters of Science degree at Dublin City University in Dublin, Ireland. While there, he met politicians and community leaders in both the Republic and Northern Ireland, learning about the history and current impact of religious discrimination and violence in Ireland.
Upon completion of his Master's overseas, and perhaps still nostalgic for the Irish culture, Tommy moved to South Boston. For the last four years, he has resided in Brookline on Saint Marys Street, where he is enrolled in Boston University's Ph.D. program in Systems Engineering. In June 2004, Tommy married his college sweetheart, Jennifer Taranto, at Boston University's Marsh Chapel.
Tommy remains actively involved in a number of community projects, ranging from bulb planting at Monmouth Park to working on The Busycle, a 15-person pedal powered van. Tommy strongly feels that it is through service he has made his mark and, conversely, that community involvement has had a tremendous impact on shaping his own values.