Why are you running for Councillor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
My candidacy is born of a deep familial relationship with Ward 1. My late father, George A. Nowak, served for 22 years as Ward 1 councillor. From him I learned the value of helping people, listening carefully to others, and sticking with a decision, even the hard ones. My career as a police officer taught me to be a problem solver, communicating clearly with people, so that all feel as though their opinions have been considered. When an issue is brought to my attention, I am naturally drawn to find a solution that offers a universal benefit. I value forming new relationships and uniting people together.
Residents are facing housing instability and displacement. Do you have specific plans that would protect renters in the city?
Salem’s current housing crisis is not demographically or geographically limited. High costs have been detrimental to many residents who take pride in Salem being their home. I believe that any solution to the housing crisis needs to begin with a unified movement that is rooted in equity. In order to protect renters, landlords should be offered tax incentives and fee waivers so these burdens do not have to be passed on to tenants.
Collaboration based on feedback with the city to stabilize increasing fees would allow for landlords to maintain affordable rents.
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?
My family knows first hand the devastation of a surging tides. In 2018, our home was flooded out during a 100 year Nor’easter with a King Tide. My family, including at the time my elderly mother-in-law, had to rush to safety as the water rose inside our home. We were fortunate to have the support of family and neighbors during the six-months we were displaced from our home. This crisis reinforced my understanding of the great inequities that are perpetuated by climate change. Unfortunately, many people do not have the resources to recover from a natural disaster. As Co-chair of the Willows Neighborhood Association, I helped to form a Flood Advisory Committee. The committee continues to work with the city to rebuild the Columbus Avenue seawall, one of many deteriorating seawalls in our city. Groups such as Salem Sound Coastwatch are critical to our community’s efforts to protect our city. Walks organized by the group allow residents to expose our vulnerabilities. We must continue to encourage community participation, sharing information from city and state government, to inform our residents about climate change. Mitigating the rising tides requires a global effort, but as a small, coastal community, Salem needs to be more prepared for such catastrophic events.
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?
My involvement in grass root community groups has shown me that a diverse group united behind a common goal is the best way to create change. In my role as with the Salem Willows Neighborhood Association, I have attended monthly Neighborhood Improvement Advisory Council meetings. Through this opportunity, I have learned so much about the critical importance of resident engagement. Diversity is best respected when equity is the top priority. I believe community leaders are the ones responsible for putting this ideal into practice. Resource allocation should reflect the needs of individual neighborhoods.
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 must do better to improve voter participation in all elections. I believe we must first understand the barriers that hinder Salem residents from voting. The barriers most often cited are a lack of transportation, language translation, comfort in understanding the voting process. Some of these issues can be addressed by organizing rides to the polls or ensuring access to translators to make sure that people feel their voice is heard by exercising their right to vote.
Learn more
Campaign Website: www.Cindyforsalem.com
Campaign Email: Cindyforsalem@gmail.com