I grew up in Connecticut and moved to Salem after leaving college at the end of 1989. With my wife Jane, we’ve been homeowners since 1993 and raised a child here while working in Salem and environs. I’m passionate about this city and its funky charm, and keeping Salem weird and modern is as important to me as taking care of the people who’ve been here all along. I try to look past rhetoric and support what seems thought-out and reasonable while listening to all perspectives.

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

I’m running for reelection because I see a lot of progress Salem’s made over the last decade or so and I also see backlash trying to stop and reverse things. I want to keep us moving ahead.

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

Passing the reuse zoning without the poison pill of forcing extra affordable housing in private development is a small piece of it. The accessory unit zoning would also help. As would a inclusionary zoning ordinance. But those are only small pieces, though important ones. We also need to think about other methods like possible condo conversion annual limits, tax credit policies to encourage more affordable rentals, and more transit-oriented development. There’s probably things I haven’t thought of here as well.

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 threatened as a coastal city. We need to shore up some areas that can ride out tide level changes and be ready to move away from the rest. Take advantage of natural features like restored shorelines to buffer waters. Sea level is rising, and it’s doing so nowhere faster than in the Gulf of Maine in which we are located. I’ve been supporting our efforts where I can, but I’m not a engineer or climatologist. I believe the experts and the science that supports them.

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

Well, I’m noted for using electronic communication to keep people informed and to engage with them. I work hard to get voters to turn out. There’s no magic solution to this problem - local leadership matters so much to daily life, yet local elections always have the lowest turnout. The year I first won my seat, only 8% of voters turned out for the preliminary election. We should always do far better.