Selectmen Welcome Sen. Rush’s Chief of Staff

The Westwood Board of Selectmen Monday night gave a warm welcome to John Regan, State Sen. Mike Rush’s Chief of Staff, in lieu of

Rush left during the weekend to begin training for his deployment to Iraq, and appointed Regan to run his office while he is overseas. 

“It’ll be a challenge,” Regan said. “But we’ve met privately with the Senate President and Sen. Rush’s colleagues, and they’ve offered their full support. We have a few senators who will be filing everything we need.”

Regan stood alongside State Rep. Paul McMurtry  (D-Dedham), who represents Westwood, Dedham, and parts of Walpole.

“(McMurtry) has been very, very helpful during this process,” Regan said. “I’ve been talking to him almost every day, and he’s going to be our go-to person.”

McMurtry reiterated his support for Regan and Rush’s office, and assured the Board of Selectmen that Regan is well-suited for the role.

“He’s extremely familiar with the State House and the workings of the building,” said McMurtry, who was joined by his new new assistant, Stephen Burke, who will be aiding both McMurtry and Sen. Rush’s office.

Regan has 14 years experience working in the State House, he explained, including previous work under State Rep. John F. Quinn (D-Dartmouth). A Norton resident, Regan holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Bridgewater State College.

“We plan on being very visible in the town,” Regan said. “That’s our number-one job.”

The Selectmen, in turn, expressed their gratitude for the service of both Regan and McMurtry, and asked that their support resonate to Rush and his family.

“If you get a chance to let Sen. Rush know that if he or his family need anything while he’s deployed, to contact anybody at Town Hall,” said Selectmen Third Member Patrick Ahearn. “I can’t say enough about what he’s doing for our country. We’ll do anything we can to get him through it and keep him in our thoughts and prayers.”

Added Selectmen Chair Nancy Hyde, “It’s quite an active time in (Rush’s) life, and we wish him Godspeed and hope to see him soon.”