New Boston Mayor Coun Helen Staples wants to spend her year in office looking out for the little guys
Newly-elected Mayor of Boston Helen Staples says she isn’t interested in the glitz and glamour that comes with the position.
Instead, she plans to dedicate her time looking out for the little guys in her community.
During Boston Borough Council’s AGM on Monday, Coun Staples (Boston Independent), who represents Fishtoft ward, was elected as the 489th Mayor of Boston.
She appointed her childhood friend, Jennifer Ogglesbee, as her Mayoress and Coun Suzanne Welberry (Boston Independent) as Deputy Mayor in recognition of her community work.
Coun Staples noted that the Mayoral team, now consisting of four women, is a very ‘community-minded’ group with a strong intention to support the local community in every way it can.
“We’re all very focused on what goes on around us. We’re very conscious of the fact that the town has issues and I can’t deny that,” she said.
“But what we have got at the heart of the town are very good people who do wonderful work,” she continued, specifically recognising Councillor Mike Gilbert’s (Blue Revolution) efforts with the green volunteers in tidying the area around Liquorpond Street roundabout.
While recognising the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis on people’s lives, Coun Staples and her team have chosen to support both the Boston Gateway for their commendable work with individuals facing learning difficulties, the Framework Boston charities for their efforts in combating homelessness, and Local Hope, who regularly raise funds to create a better future for Boston.
She chose to support those with learning difficulties for a personal reason, mentioning that two of her close friends have learning difficulties, along with a great nephew who is non-verbal.
“I value the work that they do for people who are less fortunate than ourselves,” she added.
Nevertheless, she hopes that by this time next year, when the council will elect the 490th Mayor of Boston, she can reflect and say she dedicated her time to supporting the everyday citizens of her town.
“I’m hoping to look back in a year’s time, think that we did our best for people who are working hard in community that we’ve reached out, we’ve gone to community groups, we’ve gone to nursing homes, we’ve done smaller things for individual people, rather than actually being a really high profile practice and going up to Lincoln and places.
“I want to keep within the border of Boston wherever possible and reach out to people.”
As she pointed out her community work with a local group every Tuesday morning, Helen also referenced her and Jenny’s casual outfits, implying that they don’t want to be perceived as anything other than just another person in their town.
Cllr Staples enjoys flower arranging and her skills have taken her to many of the county's beautiful churches doing flower festivals and weddings.
She is a keen gardener and enjoys crochet, knitting and needlework and has a passion for applique work, when time permits.
