Question 1: Why are you running for Councilor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
Serving as Councillor-at-Large over these last two years has been an honor, but there is so much work left to do! From the climate crisis and racial inequity, to the inability of folks to find housing, how we meet those challenges requires thoughtful, determined leadership. Having spent most of my career from the Army to private sector leading and problem solving, I pride myself on being able to cut through the politics to deliver common-sense solutions.
Question 2: What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?
Salem’s housing crisis is really 2 crises: America’s crisis of income inequality and greater Boston’s regional housing shortage. Both of these competing pressures have made it increasingly difficult for folks at all income levels to find and keep housing. The only way we can address these complex issues is to look for the things we can control, take action, and repeat. There are several elements within our control that I am actively exploring with my colleagues on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
A Condo Conversion/Tenant’s Rights Ordinance. This would seek to disincentivize the flipping of rental stock to condos by placing a delay on the process, while also giving renters more time to manage their housing situation. It would potentially add a vacancy threshold, which could limit the ability to flip rentals in a tight market. More to come here.
A Public Land Disposition Update. We are currently exploring an initiative that would prioritize the sale of public land for affordable housing at a very high percentage.
I would also like to see the city mandate deeper affordability from private developers in our zoning code. This is known as Inclusionary Zoning, and if you followed Salem politics last year, you may be familiar with the term. I supported it in 2020, and would support it again if we can find the votes to pass it in the future.
Question 3: How do you see Salem impacted by the climate crisis and what new initiatives would you take to lead Salem's resiliency efforts?
In the 2019 election, myself, and many others predicted that this would be the number one issue by the time the next election rolled around, and I truly think it is. Like the housing crisis, we need to control what we can to mitigate damage and protect homeowners. That includes the continued planting of trees, which can absorb as much as 50% of rainwater, installing permeable (ADA-compliant surfaces) to include brick and more permeable asphalt, and investing in mobile flood barricades, which could be deployed in emergencies. At a higher level, we need to do our part to discourage sprawl and auto-focused development. We need to embrace our identity as a dense, walkable city, and continue to make it easier for folks to live near amenities and get around without a car.
Question 4: Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.
Two years ago, I read an incredible book called “What I Found in a Thousand Towns” by Dar Williams. In it, Williams talks a lot about the concept of “Positive Proximity.” She states that while people tend to live in relative isolation, if we can get them out of that isolation, and encourage them to come together, they will pool their passions and skills to do great things for their communities. As a city, we need to look at all of our public spaces as 'stages' to bring people together. Of course that goes for our parks, but it also goes for our sidewalks, parklets and curbside dining locations. We need to make our public spaces enjoyable and lovable to create positive proximity, thus supporting and encouraging more civic engagement.
Question 5: How do you think Salem should continue working on issues of race equity, now that the City's first Race Equity Task Force has submitted its report?
We all owe a debt of gratitude to the Race Equity Task Force for the hard and diligent work they did over the last year. Many of their recommendations, including highlighting local leaders who have or are currently contributing to Salem’s culturally diverse identity, and a new “culture fest” to celebrate our city’s diversity, are an excellent start. We also need to take the steps necessary to address systems and policies, like exclusionary zoning, that have their roots in racism.