Richard Johnson (mayor)

Richard Johnson is an American politician and city manager who served as Mayor of Taunton, Massachusetts and City Manager of Lowell, Massachusetts.

Richard Johnson
City Manager of Lowell, Massachusetts
In office
1991–1995
Preceded byJames Campbell
Succeeded byBrian J. Martin
Mayor of Taunton, Massachusetts
In office
1982–1992
Preceded byJoseph L. Amaral
Succeeded byRobert G. Nunes
Personal details
OccupationCity Manager
Politician

Early career

Prior to running for office, Johnson served as an administrative assistant to Taunton Mayor Theodore J. Aleixo, Jr.[1] and as Director of the Taunton Housing Authority.[2]

Mayor of Taunton

In 1981, incumbent Mayor Joseph Amaral chose not to seek re-election and Johnson ran to succeed him. He finished first in the preliminary election with 4289 votes, defeating Amaral's administrative assistant Walter Precourt Jr. (2776 votes), City Councilman Tijuana Goldstein-Star (2729 votes), recent Syracuse University graduate David Goren (262 votes), and rock musician Russell N. Hurst (76 votes). He defeated Precourt in the general election 7266 votes to 6030.[3]

During Johnson's first term, the city suffered economic misfortune as Parker Brothers and Paragon Gear shut down their Taunton plants.[4][5] Although the city suffered through an economic slump and high unemployment during Johnson's early years as mayor, by 1987 unemployment in Taunton was at the lowest point on record.[6][7] In 1986, GTE chose Taunton as the location for its new plant.[6] In 1989, The Pyramid Companies announced plans to build a mall in Taunton, which would become the Silver City Galleria.[8]

In 1990, Johnson prevented hip hop group 2 Live Crew from performing in Taunton, stating that he wanted to protect his community from the potential for violence and from the band's "outward display of immorality".[9]

In 1991, Johnson was defeated in his bid for a sixth term, losing to Robert Nunes 6922 votes to 6741.[10]

City Manager of Lowell

Shortly after his defeat, Johnson was chosen by the Lowell City Council to serve as City Manager.[11] In 1992, Lowell lost control of its budget to the state finance commission due to its unstable financial condition. It regained control in 1995. That same year, the City Council approved bond sales for the Tsongas Center and Edward A. LeLacheur Park.[12]

Post-government career

After leaving government, Johnson served as vice president of Veolia Water North America.[13]

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See also

References
  1. Bruzelius, Nils (October 21, 1975). "Water in Taunton still contaminated". Boston Globe.
  2. "Five of Six Incumbents Survive in Mayoral Preliminary Voting". Boston Globe. September 24, 1981.
  3. "Taunton". Boston Globe. November 4, 1981.
  4. AP (June 5, 1983). "Mayor upset about closing of Parker plant". The Day. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  5. AP (December 15, 1981). "Marchers protest closing of Taunton gear plant". The Telegraph. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  6. Downing, Neil (July 19, 1986). "GTE brings new life to Taunton". Providence Journal.
  7. Anderson, Leslie (February 5, 1987). "The jobless rate in Taunton lowest point on record". Providence Journal.
  8. Freyer, Felice J. (May 2, 1989). "155-store mall proposed in Taunton". Providence Journal.
  9. Corriea, Robert (July 12, 1990). "Why Taunton says no to 2 Live Crew". Providence Journal.
  10. Aaron Zitner; Patricia Nealon (November 6, 1991). "Capuano wins in Somerville, Incumbent mayors fall in Lynn, Haverhill, Attleboro and Taunton". Boston Globe.
  11. Mooney, Brian C. (November 27, 1991). "Defeated Taunton mayor chosen to manage Lowell". Boston Globe. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  12. Dabilis, Andy (June 18, 1995). "Lowell to take back control of its budget". Boston Globe. Retrieved 5 August 2012.
  13. Gentile, Derek. "Former State Rep Chris Hodgkins roils Lee loyalties". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved February 25, 2017.
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