Ward 1 Candidate: Chris Malstrom

Question 1: Why are you running for Councilor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
As a young person living within the reality of our ongoing climate crisis, I feel I need to be a voice advocating for unabashed leadership on this issue to protect our citizens from the worst effects coming. I find this particularly relevant to the danger faced by Ward 1 as almost ⅔ of the ward is surrounded on three sides by water and projections of sea level rise show large swaths of the ward becoming regular flood zones in 15–25 years. As a member of our city’s working class/service industry, I believe that the city has significant steps that need to be taken to provide adequate support and protection for the workers that make up the backbone of Salem’s economy, including, but not limited to, the adoption of a wage theft ordinance to protect workers from exploitative practices. As a resident of Ward 1, I’ve also heard - and felt - frustrations with the way in which the city has historically communicated with residents, including a selectiveness in regards to responding to resident issues and complaints. I believe what is lacking from this element of city communication is a sense of hospitality, which I would bring to the position. It is important that our Ward is represented by someone who holds genuine empathy for its residents when planning city projects, communicating with stakeholders and addressing concerns/issues; a person who will prioritize responsiveness when residents reach out, even if that means delivering news a resident may not want to hear.

Question 2: What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?
We are in desperate need of an update to our zoning laws within Salem to incentivize the production of more affordable housing at tiered levels to ensure we are providing housing options that can be considered truly affordable for residents across the spectrum of income levels from working class through middle class households. I intend to work closely with the North Shore CDC and other similarly aligned organizations to work towards expanding our affordable housing stock in the short term while continuing to pursue policy measures that can work to this effect. In order to protect current residents within the rental market who are vulnerable to the rapidly inflating prices of the housing market throughout the region, we need to form partnerships with elected leaders across the region to push for an end on the statewide ban against rent control so the city can finally enact rent control measures that would protect renters from exploitative price gouging. Affordability won’t just be solved by building more units within the city, though, which is why I also intend to prioritize policies that will help to uplift working class families economically so they have a strong foundation upon which they can build lives in Salem. 

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?
As a coastal community threatened by sea level rise and already seeing an increase in severity of coastal storms, Salem is particularly at risk to the worst effects of the ongoing climate crisis. For my Ward, we are seeing projections with entire neighborhoods underwater during the twice-daily high tide. With the current push for offshore wind industry investment, Salem is poised to take on a leadership role for the rest of the nation in how a city can invest its resources in green & renewable energy while creating resilient and green-focused infrastructure throughout the city. I would push for a green building ordinance to ensure that all new developments are approached with a focus on environmental sustainability and resiliency, incorporating green energy solutions such as solar panels and/or city cooling/greening architecture in the form of green roofs. I will also advocate for the installation of more public e-vehicle charging stations and the creation of more public transit options as a way to incentivize residents to reduce car usage and switch to electric vehicles when a car is needed. It is also a priority of mine to start the discussion around how the city will work to protect its residents if and when the worst does happen due to this climate crisis. The city needs to take responsibility and begin planning for what happens in 20 years when the oceans have risen by feet and severe storms have increased in frequency so no neighborhood is left blindsided by the worst.

Question 4: Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.
Across the country we have let civic education fall by the wayside, resulting in a voting population that feels unsure about the workings of their government, from the local, through state and to federal level. While the average person might have an understanding of their Congressperson or US Senator, often the more local positions and their associated responsibilities remain more of a mystery beyond a sea of yard signs every few years. Salem has a responsibility to engage with its populace to help keep them engaged and informed on the workings of government and the importance of voting. As an initial step in this process, I intend to spearhead a Voter Resource Guide for the city to send to every registered voter. This guide will include such things as: Ward and Precinct info, with maps displaying boundaries and polling locations; a list of all locally focused elected offices from City Councillor through State Senator, with descriptions of the roles, responsibilities and how the position functions within the government at large; and a basic explainer of the workings of city government, discussing Salem specifically and making reference to how it differs or operates similarly to other cities and towns in MA. After sending to every registered voter, the city should automatically provide this information with every voter registration to ensure a continuously informed voting population. I plan to extend this into a community class the city could host to help with hands-on education for the public.

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?
As a whole, we need to work harder to self-educate and address the role of systemic racism within our world today. Salem holds a unique role in the legacy of slavery due to its position within the triangular rum/molasses/slave trade, and that past participation should serve as a constant reminder of the work the city needs to pursue to attain a measure of restorative justice. One of my main priorities is advocating for Salem’s piloting a Universal Basic Income program for low-income residents. The success of these programs have already been demonstrated in pilots run by Stockton, CA and Chelsea, MA, and have led to a significant number of cities spearheading their own programs with a combination of private investment and allocation of federal COVID relief funds, including Cambridge, Chicago, and my home town of Baltimore. Salem can join these other cities leading the nation in policy to address racial equity and economic justice within their communities. In developing this program, I would place a heavy emphasis on the perspectives of BIPOC and immigrant members of our community to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community are properly considered and represented in this program. Stakeholder meetings would be held in neighborhoods most likely to be impacted by the program and information will be communicated in multiple languages to ensure full accessibility.

To learn more about Chris, please visit: www.vote4chris.org

Ward 1: James Willis

James Willis works as a consultant/paralegal and retail clerk. James lives in the Point neighborhood with his son, a Salem Public Schools second grader.

James is a cum laude graduate of UMass Amherst, with a degree in Political Science.

While at UMASS, he interned for US Senator John F. Kerry and was a member of three honor societies. James moved to Salem to continue his education at Suffolk University Law School, where he received a Juris Doctorate degree. In 2006, James became a licensed attorney and worked as a sole practitioner. Unfortunately, James voluntarily agreed to a temporary suspension of his law license following a 2010 arrest. All criminal charges against him were dismissed completely in 2017 following an appeal. James has refrained from all use of drugs and alcohol since 2012 and has offered his advice and assistance to others facing problems with substance abuse.

James currently serves as chair of the Salem Democratic City Committee and is a member of the Point Neighborhood Association. He was an executive board member of the Salem Council on Aging for five years and was a member of the Working Group tasked to update the City’s Open Space & Recreation Plan and produce a Recreation Facilities Needs Assessment & Master Plan in 2015. James has also served on various nonprofit boards, including North Shore Community Health, Inc. and the Friends of the Salem Council on Aging, and is a member of the Carlton School PTO.

Why are you running for Councilor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?

I am running for the City Council to provide a voice for all of the residents and businesses of Ward One. We all deserve responsive and dedicated public servants who are willing to devote their time to serving the public. Our city has been a wonderful home to my family and I would be honored to serve Salem and its people as a city councillor.

Through my years of volunteer service, ranging from nonprofit boards to city boards to neighborhood associations, I have gained vast experience in working towards consensus and cooperating with all sorts of colleagues and stakeholders to solve complex problems. In my professional and political career, I have worked with diverse populations to identify issues and provide solutions. My political and legal experience and education also provide a unique background in comparison to the current members of the City Council. In my decades of serving the public, I have learned that casting blame and making excuses accomplishes nothing- people expect and deserve results. I have the skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver those results.

What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?

The housing crisis facing Salem is not unique and no municipality in the country has found a foolproof solution. Unless Massachusetts enters a recession, the growth of our population and the continued influx of highly educated, highly paid professionals will continue to exert pressure on our housing market and price out many of our residents. It is likely that many of our current residents will not be able to afford to rent or buy in Salem. It is misleading and irresponsible for a councilor or candidate to suggest otherwise. That does not mean we should stop trying to help our residents remain in our city.

While market forces are too strong to control and excessive government intervention is problematic, there are two ways to mitigate the ongoing crisis. First, if the ordinance is drafted correctly, I favor inclusionary zoning measures. We can add affordable units across the city through such a change to our local zoning. Second, we can expand upon programs designed to assist first-time homebuyers. Through CDBG funds, the City of Salem has funded certain programs designed to help people purchase homes. Whether steering buyers toward beneficial loan programs or providing down payment assistance, we should increase our efforts to increase home ownership.

How do you see Salem impacted by the climate crisis and what new initiatives would you take to lead Salem's resiliency efforts?

All of Ward One is within a mile of Salem Harbor and the climate crisis has caused damage to each section of the Ward. Whether the flooding on Derby Street, the water damage to Shetland Park, or the breaching of the sea walls in the Willows, our neighborhoods have seen increased storm damage in recent years. If elected, I would take seriously my duty as an elected official to lobby our state house delegation for additional funding and for key environmental initiatives, including but not limited to carbon fee legislation.

The City of Salem, as a participant in the Commonwealth’s MVP (Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness) Program, should continue to seek funding through the Coastal Resilience Grant Program. If the city will not bond to do so, we will need state funds to improve our sea walls near Derby Street and in the Willows. In upcoming years, we will have additional opportunities to investigate how to preserve our coasts. The Ward One councillor serves as a member of the Salem Port Authority and will have important input into how we manage our waterfront. This is a key role as the city should be revising its Harbor Plan shortly. The Harbor Plan has not been revised in several years and during this process we have a unique opportunity to evaluate and potentially reconsider how we take care of our water resources in and around Salem Harbor.

Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.

A chief goal of mine is to work with all of my colleagues and stakeholders as we move forward- There should be no “sides”, just elected officials doing what is best for the city we hope to represent.  All too often, I have heard the complaint that Salem’s government does not speak for its residents. This is the same problem reflected in our national politics, and it is my hope that the corrosive environment of our national political landscape does not trickle down to us here in Salem. I aim to maintain transparency and openness in my communications with the public. I will seek constituent input/feedback to listen and learn to allow citizens and businesses meaningful opportunities to weigh in on policy. I believe that an involved electorate needs to feel that its opinions are heard and considered.

There are three changes that could help enhance civic engagement and encourage an involved and informed electorate. First, volunteer childcare could be arranged during meetings in order to allow for additional participation by parents. Second, SATV should be invited to additional meetings to record, as often as their schedule and funding allows. Further, the city should work to increase online access to SATV recordings of meetings. Third, as a councillor I will work to improve outreach to neighborhood associations. Ward councillors in particular should strive to keep in touch with their constituents and keep them apprised of what happens in City Hall.

Ward 1: Robert McCarthy

I am a General Contractor, and have been running a small business with my brother for almost thirty years. I am a graduate of the University of Lowell and hold a BS in Mechanical Engineering. I own a home here with my wife of 25 years Kathy, and my two sons Will and Jack. My sons are graduates of Salem High School and both went on to UMass Amherst (One graduate and one senior).

Owning a small business has taught me many things that translate into being an effective Councillor. It has taught me how to communicate with people, listen to them, work with them, problem solve in a group setting and finally how to work within a budget to get the job done. I take pride in not getting the headlines and instead getting the work done. I have tried to do all those things in my years on the City Council.

Fourteen years ago, I said that Salem needed to reinvent itself - embracing its maritime past and not solely relying on Haunted Happenings. Salem has come along way in the last twelve years and here in Ward One working together we have been able to make a lot of things happen: the Blaney St lot, with a new pier, new commercial dock, and a ferry. We were able to work to close the old, dirty coal and oil-fired power plant and replace it with a gas plant a fraction of the size. We now have joint ownership of a deep water dock, and another ferry coming in the near future. We have coming opportunities to redevelop the former power plant land responsibly. There’s new parks at Peabody St and 289 Derby St and so much more. Our link to the water is one of the keys to our on going future success.

I’m looking forward to the next two years and the opportunities we have to keep moving forward here in Ward One and across our City.

Why are you running for Councilor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?

I am running again to continue to move Salem in a positive direction. I want to have a Salem that gives every family the same opportunities that my family was given over the years. I have demonstrated over my 12 years on the Council my ability to listen and work with my Colleagues towards solutions to the issues that come before us for the betterment of our constituents.

What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?

There is no magic ball to solving the housing crisis here or any where. There are many pieces that will help us address this issue and no one proposal will do it all. We need to pass the religious and municipal reuse ordinance and we need to take a hard look at the accessory use dwelling ordinance and develop a plan to give homeowners that tool to help them stay in their homes.

How do you see Salem impacted by the climate crisis and what new initiatives would you take to lead Salem's resiliency efforts?

Salem is a coastal community and sea level rise are real. We need to continue to identify seawalls that are in need and find the resources to improve them. Salem has been at the forefront of resiliency efforts over the last ten years and we need to continue to do so by enhancing and promoting the programs we have put in place.

Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.

Salem is one of the most engaged cities  around. Some people do not have the time or the means to attend all the meetings. We try to have SATV televise as many meetings as possible. We need to continue to push hard to have meeting minutes on line quickly. 

The city has started to use various social media outlets to get out more information in a timely manner and we need to enhance that. For  those who do come to the council chamber we are installing speakers and a TV monitor to show presentations so everyone can hear and see what is going on during the meeting.