Nicholson was nominated by Patty Bergstrom and former Mayor Mark Hauck.
GARDNER – Mayor Michael Nicholson has been recognized as a member of “40 Under Forty, Class of 2022” by the Worcester Business Journal.
According to the magazine, one of his main tasks was to take control of the city when a global pandemic came and shut down the world. But undefeated, Nicholson, the youngest mayor in the state, was able to establish a popular vaccination clinic, arrest 35,000 residents and keep the entire community informed of the latest developments in the COVID saga.
All the while, Nicholson, a former city manager in Rutland, led efforts to revitalize Gardner’s downtown, secured millions in grants for the city’s infrastructure and schools, and oversaw the initiative to give every public school student his or her own. Laptop device for distance learning.
Not bad for someone who was only 25 when he was elected to office.
Nicholson has big plans.
“I’m very proud of the amount of work we’ve been able to accomplish at Gardner in my two years in office,” Nicholson said. “But there’s a lot I want to do with the revitalization of the downtown area and partnering with new developers to buy buildings from existing landlords and find buildings that the city has that are currently vacant and underutilized.”
Among those who nominated Nicholson for the honor were Patty Bergstrom, owner of the Velvet Goose and president of the Square to Gardner, former Gardner Mayor Mark Hauck and Rutland board member Leah Whiteman.
Mayor ‘makes things happen’
Bergstrom said she was compelled to nominate the mayor because of his unusual skill set, impressive academic record and his accomplishments to date.
“I have served on several committees with Mayor Nicholson, including the Gardner Advisory Board for the Boys and Girls Club and the Gardner Square Two Board of Directors, our downtown business association,” Bergstrom explained. “He never ceases to amaze me with his vision, his intelligence, his intelligence, his ability to get things done and his incredible energy level.”
Hawke called his former executive assistant, Nicholson, a community figure.
“He’s not just the mayor of the city, he’s actively involved in all aspects of the community,” Hawke said. “Not only did he lead the city through the epidemic, but he did a lot in terms of economic development. Especially now, with the political divide widening, I felt it was important to showcase the good a young, elected official is doing in his hometown.
‘A genuine, beautiful and caring person’.
Whiteman said she chose Nicholson for the honor because it was clear he was on an upward trajectory in his political career.
“He’s deeply committed to the city, and he hasn’t forgotten about us in Rutland, where he first branched out,” Whiteman said. “Also, Mike is a genuine, nice and caring person. I met Mike in Rutland, but now I’m lucky enough to count him as a dear friend—the kind of friend who cheers me on and pushes me to be a better person. I’m excited to see it grow!”
Nicholson, who attended night school while serving as mayor and earned a law degree from Suffolk University in Boston, said he believes being on the “40 Under Forty” list shows that Gardner is a community on the move.
Mayor Gardner is proud.
“My goal is that people around the state don’t just look at Gardner as a random dot they see on a weather map when the news says it’s snowed in during a storm, but know that this is a community that’s willing to work with people who want to find a good place to live or open a business,” Nicholson said.
Bergstrom said Nicholson is deserving of this award and others.
“At this point he’s the mayor of Gardner, but in our city, we know he’s destined for great things, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he’s a national figure in the near future,” Bergstrom said.
“He’s extraordinary.”
