Proposal to Name Upper Jackson Track for Dave Whelan

Selectmen are scheduled to vote next week on a proposal to name the Upper Jackson track after Dave Whelan, a parent and Swampscott schools supporter who died in September.

Dave's wife, Jean, his son, Trevor, and former Swampscott track coach Dom Finelli were in the audience Wednesday when School Committee member Marianne Hartmann presented the proposal to selectmen.

Dave Whelan was a former School Committee chairman, town treasurer, track supporter and tireless advocate for Chapter 70 education funding for Swampscott.

He spent some of his best days at the Upper Jackson track watching the Big Blue teams and his son Trevor compete, Hartmann said.

Upper Jackson is located behind the high school off The Greenway. 

School Committee members talked about and supported naming the track after Dave, the committee member said.

Selectmen appeared to support the idea too but wanted the public to weigh in on it before they put it to a vote.

The naming needs selectmen's support since Upper Jackson is town property.

Selectman Glen Kessler wondered if there was a more fitting place to be named given Dave's advocacy for Chapter 70 funding.

But Selectman Jill Sullivan said the track was the right place.

"This is Dave," she said.