The report card is in and Town Manager James McKenna has received high marks from the Town Council in its annual evaluation. Council Vice President James Letterie announced the results of the evaluation at Tuesday’s meeting and it had to make McKenna feel good to hear publicly about the outstanding job he has done in the town. Those members of the town manager selection committee also have to be pleased in knowing that the person they chose for this important job has lived up to the high expectations that were set for him.
McKenna has worked well with the Town Council and its President, Jeffrey Turco, in advancing the town toward loftier heights. His coordinated efforts with Finance Director Michael Bertino and Assistant Finance Director Michelle Karas have helped solidify Winthrop’s financial situation. McKenna has become more involved in the schools and he proudly announced at the meeting Tuesday night that Winthrop students have made great strides (fourth most improved in the state) in raising their MCAS scores.
Any organization benefits greatly from excellent leadership at the top. We see it in the sports world with the success of the New England Patriots and owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick. James McKenna has proven to be the right man at the right time to lead the town administration. What’s nice to hear is that McKenna feels there is room for improvement and that he’s committed to making Winthrop an even better community than it is today.