2023 Highlights
Public Events
January: Legislative preview with Rep. Manny Cruz
February: “Dough for Democracy” fundraiser
March: Legislative preview with Sen. Joan Lovely
July: Salem public schools update with Superintendent Stephen Zrike
Community Engagement
Parades: North Shore Pride, Negro Election Day, Haunted Happenings
Regional outreach with a focus on Lynn
Women’s History month event
Partners & Friends
Berry Institute of Politics at SSU; Salem United; Salem Partnership; The Point Neighborhood Association; Historic Derby Street Neighborhood Association; SAFE (Salem Alliance for the Environment); Salem Offshore Wind Alliance; North Shore CDC; Mass Voter Table; Reproductive Equity Now; Latino Leadership Coalition; Salem Education Foundation; NAACP North Shore.
Working Groups in 2023
Voter Services & Civic Engagement
Created an online Voter Toolbox and Candidate Guides for Salem elections
Hosted candidate forums: Special Mayor Election (Preliminary & General)*; Ward 1 City Councilor Preliminary; At-Large City Councilor - Spanish*; At-Large City Councilor - English*
(*with co-sponsors)Registered voters & provided voter education materials: Negro Election Day, Back-to-School Festival, Fiesta en la Calle, Viking Voterpalooza
Received an award from POAH (Preservation of Affordable Housing) for 2022 activities
Education Group
Created a video: Panel Discussion re: All About the School Committee
Co-hosted a candidate forum: School Committee with the Salem Education Foundation
Affordable Housing
Invited speaker, Ellen Schacter Director of the Somerville Office of Housing Stability, presented information about condo conversion protections for renters
Researched condo conversion ordinance protecting renters and drafted a statement in favor (home rule petition is with the state legislature)
Researched the inclusionary zoning ordinance and drafted a statement in favor
(pending second passage at the city council)Performed third-party observations for three Salem Housing Authority tenant organizations
Environment & Climate Crisis
Participated in Salem Offshore Wind Alliance (SOWA), which supports development of the offshore wind marshaling port and advocates for a community benefits agreement (CBA) negotiation process that includes the community
Submitted a Letter to the Editor in support of a community-driven CBA for the port
Created a video: Offshore Wind Power in English and en Español
Created a video: Career & Technical Education at Salem High School, including prep for careers relating to offshore wind power
Sent postcards in support of An Act Relative to the Future of Heat in the Commonwealth (S.2105 / H.3203)