1. In light of a recent federal executive order on homelessness that incentivizes local policies to ban outdoor camping and to require mental health and substance use treatment, how would you assess Salem’s responses to people experiencing homelessness, and what would you plan to do if elected?
Every Salem resident deserves dignity, safety, and a place to call home. While Salem provides more support than most nearby municipalities, many individuals remain unhoused due to barriers to shelter entry, such as policy restrictions, personal challenges, or space limitations. Without a support system for challenges like addiction and mental health, it is unrealistic to expect people experiencing homelessness to secure stable housing on their own.
As we've seen with encampments like those on Peabody Street and behind the Highland Avenue Walmart, these sites pose significant public health and safety concerns. While our current camping ordinance is understandably controversial, I believe it is an honest attempt to balance the basic need for shelter with the safety of the public. I also recognize the Community Impact Unit’s efforts in navigating this sensitive problem humanely.
Homelessness is a housing issue. If elected, I would advocate for reforming our zoning and permitting processes to increase and diversify our housing supply. I would support expansion of Lifebridge’s services and facilities, ideally with a more "housing first" model to provide permanent housing and supportive care with fewer barriers to entry. Assistance to those living outdoors must be strengthened so that the most vulnerable are reached. Like many cities, Salem has been asked to go above and beyond to provide services to support a growing regional homeless population. Salem cannot solve this issue alone, and I would push for more statewide cooperation and federal aid to support communities responding to this growing crisis.
2. Since the federal government has withdrawn its support for combating climate change, including eliminating tax credits for wind and solar energy and halting federal permits for wind power, what would you propose the city do to mitigate climate change and its effects locally?
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing Salem, and local leadership is crucial as federal support is rolled back. Ward 1 needs to critically consider the redevelopment of Shetland Park. Currently, the site acts as a heat island for the Point neighborhood and offers no protection against the significant flood risks Salem will face over the coming decades. Allowing this land to remain an underutilized parking lot and low-density commercial space is a missed opportunity, and I fear we will ultimately experience the same flooding problems and costly infrastructure needs the Willows is facing now. We should advocate for affordable housing, accessible community spaces, and reliable public transit connectivity as this project takes shape.
Beyond Shetland Park, I would advocate for greater integration of greenscaping into our infrastructure projects. We should look to cities like Montreal, whose design guidelines recommend a 1.2-meter "green buffer zone" alongside bike lanes to improve visual appeal, build climate resilience, and calm traffic. I believe we should examine existing or proposed paved areas in Salem and explore how we can reduce their environmental impact through strategies like permeable surfaces, native landscaping, and enhanced access for pedestrians and micromobility.
Finally, we must continue to promote sustainable transportation options that are more climate-friendly and affordable than vehicular transit. We should support initiatives that encourage micromobility and pedestrian travel, along with the development of our offshore wind terminal, the electrification of the commuter rail, and the construction of the South Salem rail platform.
3. With the loss of federal grants and funding for food pantries, and the closure of Daily Table, what ideas do you have for helping residents who are food insecure?
First, we must support the key resources we already have. I urge residents to volunteer at or donate to the Salem Pantry and advocate to maintain its place in the neighborhood as Shetland Park evolves. We should also promote hyperlocal programs like the Mack Park Food Farm and other community gardens and facilitate their expansion whenever possible. We could encourage developers to integrate communal raised garden beds or small agricultural plots into new projects, and we could ask existing non-residential property owners if they would be willing to support community plots on their sites.
The former Daily Table location is still vacant and remains a prime opportunity. Our residents should be actively engaged in discussions about the future of this space. Bringing a co-op or a year-round farmers market to this or another downtown location could benefit everyone, especially if we implement a tiered pricing model. This would allow those who can afford market prices to shop locally while providing essential price subsidies for residents struggling with food insecurity. There have also been conversations about redeveloping the Church Street Parking lot, which could provide a unique chance to include a grocery store. Given its proximity to the commuter rail and multi-unit housing, including the Dalton Residence and Morency Manor, this location is ideal for ensuring residents can access fresh food without needing a car.
Ultimately, I would champion any reasonable proposal to bring a centrally located fresh food market to our downtown, ensuring it is convenient and accessible to all.
4. Do you support or oppose the plans to build a new high school inSalem and the debt exclusion proposal to allow Salem to fund its share of the cost of the new school? Why or why not? What points would you make to communicate with Salem voters about this project?
The current Salem High School building is nearing the end of its useful life, with maintenance and utility costs becoming increasingly unsustainable. Its HVAC and electrical systems are outdated and incredibly inefficient. Delaying this project would be a costly mistake, risking our eligibility for critical Commonwealth grant money and leading to even higher ongoing maintenance expenses. Providing our students with a modern, functional learning environment is pivotal to their educational success and should be our highest priority in supporting public education in Salem.
The current building's annual electricity bill is approximately $1 million, accounting for nearly a quarter of the entire city's electricity budget. With this figure projected to rise by 20% in FY2026, a new, net-zero or net-positive energy building would lead to significant savings as soon as construction is finished.
Furthermore, the project is eligible for a substantial reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority: an estimated 45-55% of the $450 million construction cost. However, failing to pass the debt exclusion proposal would risk this guaranteed funding, requiring reapplication that could delay the project and increase costs. New construction also represents the shortest and least disruptive option for students, requiring an estimated 30 months for construction, compared to up to 48 months for other alternatives.
For these reasons, I fully support the Building Committee's decision to construct a new high school and support the proposed debt exclusion to fund this vital project.
5. How do you plan to keep your constituents informed about policy issues before the City Council if you are elected?
Connecting with constituents and being accessible are top priorities for my campaign. A digital newsletter is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to share information. As a co-founder of SWAG (Salem's Safe Walking Advocacy Group), I have been experimenting with newsletters to my email subscribers. I'm inspired by the "bulletin-board" style updates from Councillors Cohen, Merkl, and Morsillo, and I'm working to find my own balance of brevity and detail. To reach neighbors without internet access, I’ll also print a few copies to share in Little Free Libraries and local businesses to engage residents.
Language accessibility is particularly important in Ward 1, where many of my neighbors are Spanish-speaking. I have been actively working to improve my conversational Spanish for the past year, and since launching my campaign on March 11th, I've made sure that my website and campaign literature are fully bilingual. While my Spanish is not perfect, I am committed to practicing daily to ensure I can communicate with my neighbors as effectively as possible, whether in person or online.
Finally, as someone who chooses to live car-free, I walk almost everywhere in Salem and have daily conversations with my neighbors. I also plan to hold regular office hours, so residents can reliably find me to chat. I’ve included contact information on my website and am always available to discuss prospective constituent concerns. It has been incredibly rewarding to speak with so many people already, and I look forward to continuing these conversations as your Ward 1 Councillor.