Candidate Profile: Michael Nionakis

For Somerville Patch's 2013 election guide, we asked all candidates running for office in Somerville the same three questions, and we posted their answers without editing them. Here are the responses from Michael Nionakis:

Question: What are the two most important issues facing Somerville right now, and what would you do on the Somerville School Committee to address those issues?

The two most important issues facing the Somerville school system at this time are two-fold.  First off, I believe that each child that attends any of the great schools within the Somerville system deserves the right to be enriched academically, socially, physically and emotionally and that all students attend school knowing they are in a safe and nurturing environment.  Secondly, I would like to enhance Somerville's great early childhood and after school programs, as well as provide more guidance and support to upper-grade students to make every one of their educational aspirations, including higher education, an attainable reality, not just a possibility.

Question: Tell us about your background.

*lifelong resident of Somerville
*married to Susan (McDonald) Nionakis, also a lifelong Somerville resident
*Father to Michela age 22 and Michael age 6; the entire Nionakis family was educated within Somerville's public school system
*Middlesex Sheriffs Office - Assistant Deputy Superintendent
*Middlesex Sheriffs Honor Guard - Assistant Commander
*Somerville High School Class of 1982
*Bunker Hill Community College
*Certificate of Management - Boston University
*Recipient - 2012 Patriot Award from the United States Department of Defense 

Member of:
*Middlesex Sheriffs Superior Officers Association
*E-Board Member - MSSOA
*Volunteer Coach - Somerville Youth Soccer
*St. Joseph's Society
*Ward 2 Democratic Society
*Italian American Police Association
*Benefactor - Patricia and Francis McDonald Memorial Book Award
*Somerville City Club
*NAGE Local 57

Question: Why should Somerville residents vote for you?

I believe Somerville residents should vote for me because I am a truly vested citizen of Somerville in all aspects.  As I stated before, my family was educated within the Somerville system and my wife Susan and I are lifelong residents and current property owners in the city as well.  Susan and I went through the Somerville's public school system, as our son Michael currently is, and we have seen, and personally been a part of all the changes, challenges and innovation that has occurred within the system, and its schools, for the better part of 40 years.