July 3, 2023 — Former New Bedford Mayor John Bullard said he wrote his memoir Hometown for two reasons: to recognize all of the people who helped with his public life successes, that their stories be told. Bullard also wanted to encourage young people trying to figure out how to make an impact to consider doing what he did, which is try to fix up their hometown.
Bullard sat down with us this week Townsquare Sunday to discuss the new book and his career in public life.
There were a few memories that will never fade. As an agent for the Waterfront Historic Area League, Bullard and others worked to convince Mayor John Markey to invest in what is now the Waterfront Historic District.
“The district at that time was full of empty buildings, run-down streets. It met every definition of blight there was,” Bullard said.
Both men kept talking, however, and Markey made what Bullard called “a courageous decision,” investing $1.3 million into historic preservation.