Ron Bell to ‘bridge gap’ as Public Liaison leader

Remember Ron Bell?

Gov. Deval Patrick remembered Bell last week when he appointed him leader of the newly created Public Liaison Office, an arm of the Executive Office charged with connecting state residents with state government.

 “We want everyone, no matter where they come from, to know that they have my ear and that this is their government, too,” Patrick said.

As part of the state’s new community outreach programs, Patrick also filed legislation to establish the Commonwealth Corps, a program that would enable residents to give one year of service to strengthen their communities.

“The Commonwealth Corps will help us find solutions to our unmet needs,” Patrick said. “The idea is to make a more structured way available for graduating students, for mid-career professionals, for seniors who have retired, to come back and contribute to making all of our communities stronger.”

In its first year, Commonwealth Corps would consist of 250 members who would work in nonprofit organizations or public entities throughout the Commonwealth. Patrick said he hopes to expand the Corps’ membership to 1,000 over five years.

“The Public Liaison Office and the Commonwealth Corps are two tools we can use to re-engage citizens in their civic and political lives and allow residents to feel they have a stake in their state government again.”

Bell has more than 20 years of community activism experience and has worked in communities across the state during Patrick’s historic gubernatorial campaign. Bell founded the wildly successful Dunk the Vote, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young people understand the importance of getting together, getting organized and making their voices heard in voting booths.

“I am thrilled,” said Bell. “We are here to bridge the gap between the State House and our communities. We are here to listen and we are here to help people who have not been engaged to join our team. Most people don’t realize the State House is their house.”

Rounding out the Public Liaison Office are assistant director Christine Alaimo, a former social worker and member of Patrick’s campaign staff; Christina Mills, who previously worked as a constituent liaison in Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray’s office while he was mayor of Worcester; and Anny Jean-Jacques, an attorney with extensive experience in youth issues.