Name: Kim Crowley
How long have you lived in town? My husband and I moved to his childhood hometown of Marblehead in 1997. We have lived here and owned a home with our three children since 2008.
Profession: Fitness studio owner, group fitness leader and personal trainer
Elected & appointed positions: I was former co-president of Junior Aid Society. During my seven years with the YMCA of the North Shore I held many roles including associate health and wellness director and associate director of member engagement & marketing; and I was honored as staff member of the year. I currently hold American Council on Exercise Personal Training and Athletics and Fitness Association of America Group Fitness Instructor certifications as well as other fitness specializations.
What are your three main goals for the Board of Health if elected?
Through fine-tuned current processes, community-engaged activities and new BoH social media and website pages, I will make these three goals a priority:
1) Make the best use of our Transfer Station and manage our trash footprint. I will do so by:
- Teach composting and recycling to reduce pounds sent to landfill.
- Create Swap Shed awareness day to increase use, gain more volunteers, and teach about recycling.
- Find an equitable way to make the Transfer Station/beach parking sticker cheaper or maybe free for seniors in the future.
2) Spread awareness for healthy lifestyle changes.
- Increase the number of townspeople who are CPR trained.
- Increase AEDs around town and make them more-easily accessed.
- Plan community walk gatherings where we encourage families, friends and individuals to take a walk together.
- Continue the success of this past January’s first Wellness Fair, which I had proposed to the Board of Health last year.
3) Coordinate with other town offices to increase the wellness of our townspeople.
- Meet with the School Committee to evaluate school lunch offerings and make them healthier.
- Meet with the School Committee and Boosters to brainstorm how to make team sports more affordable.
- Creative ways to help Marblehead Counseling Center fundraise and whittle down their waitlist.
What do you believe should be the main areas of focus for the Board of Health?
The main focus areas of the Board of Health are set to ensure public health and safety. Of great concern to me is the mental and physical health of our community, of which my ideas can make a significant impact on.
I will support the Health Department in developing and enforcing policies based on local needs and the directives from federal and state government; ensuring the safety and sanitary levels of our businesses, dwellings and surroundings; as well as responding to and reporting on disease or prevention.
What skills and experience would you bring to the Board of Health?
I’ve spent over 15 years in the health and fitness industry. I’ve completed specialized training to help autistic children and young adults, cancer survivors, people who have had spinal cord injuries, seniors and people with Parkinson’s disease. I’ve also run my own business for over six years, and I have managed to operate and stay financially sound even during the complexities of the recent pandemic.
I know and work with many people in Marblehead. Hundreds of people have participated in my one-on-one and group fitness classes. I love this community, and I am dedicated to serving and helping people stay well. I’m a great problem solver and I’m good with people.
Given the changes in the federal health infrastructure, including cuts in programs and services, what if any new responsibilities should the Board of Health take on?
I am unaware of any specific cuts that have been made on a federal level that impact Marblehead. We may be faced with cuts to programs and services in the future. It is important for us to work within our budget on a national and a local level to make sure we serve the health of our people as best we can. I’m willing to get creative and ensure that our community is served.
I am excited about some changes happening with the current administration regarding health, especially food manufacturers making commitments to eliminate food dyes from their products based on federal recommendations and renewed efforts to take care of the mental health of our veterans. There is also a recharged focus on investigating the rise in autism.
