Why are you running for Councillor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
I love this community and it has been my honor to serve the last 4 years as Councillor at Large. I have been a leader in both the private sector and US Army. I believe our approach to municipal service should be selfless. Our primary responsibility is to comprehend the challenges confronting both our community and our neighbors. Our duty is to address these challenges by refraining from taking things personally, avoiding disputes with critics or each other on social media, and abstaining from factionalism. Moreover, it is crucial for us to express our stances clearly, drawing from our individual moral principles and comprehension of the potential solutions. Over the past four years, I have dedicated significant effort to being a model of the public service I expect from my elected representatives and embodying those qualities I believe are essential from a responsible government official.
Residents are facing housing instability and displacement. Do you have specific plans that would protect renters in the city?
We need to revamp our zoning code to make it easier to create infill housing, including the need to make it easier for small developers to build in Salem. This includes reducing or eliminating parking minimums and allowing for dense, historically appropriate construction by right. I would also support the legalization of Single Room Occupancy, making it easier to build housing for all income levels. I would support Rent Stabilization if it were ever an option in Salem and the state of Massachusetts, which it currently is not. In the meantime, I will continue to support the tenant protections offered by the condo conversion ordinance still in progress.
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?
Green infrastructure enhancements. We should prioritize the planting of street trees and the installation of permeable paving and sidewalk materials.
The transition to renewable energy sources should be a major focus.
Climate resilience demands community wide engagement and education. We should develop programs to raise awareness about climate change and its impacts.
To ensure equity we should focus on neighborhoods which have historically received fewer green infrastructure investments and ensure that the benefits of climate resilient policies are shared by all residents regardless of their socioeconomic status.
We need to work to connect our bike lanes to ensure there are no unsafe routes for adult riders and especially children. This is often the reason folks will choose to drive rather than bike. Additionally, we should continue to support the bike share program, Salem Skipper and the future South Salem Commuter Rail Station.
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 think it’s important to send the message to our all our neighbors that we are a community that supports each other. Right now, our LGBTQ+ neighbors, particularly those in the Trans community, need allies more than ever. I have organized supplies for the last four years to paint Salem’s crosswalks in June, increasing the numbers from 2 to 9 and adding a transgender pride crosswalk this past June. I believe these crosswalks help with visibility and inclusivity of our LGBTQ+ community. In addition, I communicate in many different methods from visits at homes, to neighborhood meetings, phone calls, Email, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Reddit. I answer every email I receive, regardless of if it’s from a supporter or not. I want every resident of Salem to know that their voices matter the most, that we are their neighbors and always here to help. Lastly, we should consider the implementation of inclusive procurement policies as a means to actively bolster and empower minority-owned businesses. We should prioritize the establishment of transparent metrics for diversity and inclusion, institute regular reporting mechanisms, and actively engage in partnerships with organizations committed to advancing minority entrepreneurship.
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.
Salem is very in line with many Massachusetts communities when it comes to voter turnout, but we would love to see it improve. Our most walkable wards, (1 and 2) tend to have much higher turnout than our least walkable ones. Continued improved access to polling locations by improving our multi-use paths and placing polling locations nearby accessible locations as well as other initiatives that improve accessibility, such as frees rides to the polls, are key. I would also support Election Day becoming a national holiday or moving voting day to a weekend. In addition, transparency at the council level can help increase engagement within the community. I think this council has done an excellent job ensuring access to our meetings remotely and in person, both during the pandemic and after. We have also made some adjustments to the council layout to improve accessibility. Continuing to ensure that our decisions are always made with an eye toward increasing transparency and access should be a priority. Finally, every election year I hang vote reminders on as many registered voters’ doors that I’m able to get to. This typically numbers in the thousands. I’d like to consider myself one of the hardest working campaigners, hitting as many doors personally as I am able to, going out knocking every night that I’m free and communicating with folks via Reddit, Facebook and Instagram about the importance of voting.
Learn more
Campaign Website: www.tyhapworth.com
Campaign Email: tyforsalem@gmail.com
Social Media: : facebook.com/tyforsalem Instagram: @tyhapworth @hellosalem