Why are you running for Councillor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
I am running again for Councillor at Large because what affects our day to day quality of life, what we rely on the most, happens at the local level of government. What I feel I bring to the position is an in-touch voice and lived experiences that allow me to effectively advocate for the safety and well-being for all our residents. Serving as Councillor at Large has allowed me to channel my enthusiasm for public service through my work on the Council. With my volunteer work, I have the opportunity to talk with and listen to hundreds of our community members every week, hearing about their concerns, the challenges they face, and what they love about Salem!
Residents are facing housing instability and displacement. Do you have specific plans that would protect renters in the city?
This is such an important question with about 50% of our residents being renters, and about 80% of residents living in The Point Neighborhood being renters. The Condo Conversion ordinance we are working on in the Council will further protect renters facing displacement than the protections currently in place at the state level. We need to continue to support the efforts of organizations such as the North Shore CDC and Harborlights in creating truly affordable housing. We also need to encourage development to include a larger percentage of affordable units by allowing zoning relief on parking requirements and density, and Tax Increment Financing Agreement (TIFs) when applicable.
We also need continued support for efforts by the city to protect renters. In June, the city launched a new program to help preserve existing rental stock. The “Right of First Refusal” (RFR) initiative offers the owners of residential rental properties a one-time payment of $1,000 in return for the city being provided a right of first refusal should the property ever be put up for sale. The city has also hired a Neighborhood Stability Coordinator to assist all Salem residents regardless of income with housing instability issues, and we as city leadership need to support this role. Also the city has used Covid relief funds to create the City of Salem’s Housing Stability Drop-in Service, which provides free housing information to Salem’s lower income renters and to Salem’s landlords with lower income tenants.
Salem is already seeing the effects of the climate crisis, including flooding during storms and high tides. Focusing on what you would do, what are your top priorities to mitigate the climate crisis?
As a city, we are already seeing the devastating effects of the climate crisis, particularly with coastal resiliency. I will push for new and existing buildings to maintain the highest "green" standard possible and was proud to support our Green Building Ordinance for municipal buildings. I will continue to work with my council colleagues and with our Sustainability and Resiliency Department, SAFE, Salem Sound Coastwatch, and the Conservation Commission to continue Salem's commitment to coastal resiliency, and to reducing the environmental impact associated with the climate crisis. We also need continued support for the efforts of our Resilient Together initiative, Salem and Beverly’s Climate Action plan.
There has been more education and focus on the risk of flooding to vulnerable areas in Salem over the past few years but we need to do so much more, including coordinating with the state to address decaying seawalls and mitigating coastal flooding on a larger scale. I’m grateful for the work that was done in 2021-22 on the Wetlands Ordinance Amendments, and look forward to continuing to work on our Flood Ordinance and the Climate Resiliency Overlay District that promotes climate resiliency and adaptable design that addresses future flood risk through innovative solutions.
I also support and am excited about the off-shore wind industry coming to Salem!
Salem strives to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive city. What have you done to lead on these ideals and how will you support work in this area?
I am proud to live in such a diverse and welcoming city! We are not an island and we are not immune from the increase in hostility at the national level towards BIPOC and the LGBTQ+ community. I volunteered in 2017 for Salem's Yes on One Campaign supporting a City Council ordinance to protect our immigrant community members. I will continue to support the work of our Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and our city leaders to evaluate our city policies and services, and our organizations and institutions as well to assure we are treating all our community members equitably and with respect. With the increase in hate and violence towards the LGBTQ+ community, the City Council passed a resolution clearly stating city support for our LGBTQ+ community members. Whether it’s crosswalk painting, flag raisings and other events, I am proud to stand in solidarity. I have supported and volunteered for Negro Election Day and other Salem United events to educate people on Black history and advocate for social and racial justice, and had the honor of being on the El Punto Community Mural Project Committee, North Shore CDC. I am also taking Spanish classes and learning to utilize online translation options in an effort to have all my constituents feel represented.
I will continue to make every effort to listen and learn so I can effectively advocate for all our residents, and I welcome the opportunity for personal growth.
On average, 30% of Salem residents voted in the past municipal elections. Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance voter engagement and elections.
I agree that is not a good number! Low voter turnout is so detrimental to a healthy democracy. I am pleased with the efforts the city has made to increase access to voting with early voting and mail in voting. Another positive step forward in our elections happened last year when Salem reached a certain population threshold to require that the city offer election ballots in Spanish.
We need to continue efforts for voter registration which I am grateful to the organizations sponsoring these candidate profiles for hosting. I have coordinated efforts for voter registration with the Salem League of Women Voters in the past at various events and food pantries in an effort to increase voting in our underrepresented communities.
One aspect of “door knocking” that I’ve always enjoyed is the civic education it provides to residents. It is an opportunity to let people know an election is coming up here in Salem, and answer questions on everything from what a Councillor at Large does to where do I vote? What is also helpful are candidate profiles such as this, and public candidate forums, that encourage people to get to know their candidates and get excited to vote!
Learn more
Campaign Website: electalicemerkl.com
Campaign Email: electalicemerkl@gmail.com
Social Media: Facebook - Alice Merkl