Question 1: Why are you running for Councilor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
My experience as a nonprofit leader and volunteer in Salem has supported Salem’s arts and culture, housing issues, historic preservation and complimentary new design, the downtown business area, port projects, and more. The timing is right now for myself and my family to take on a governance leadership role. I have felt the call to serve in a governance capacity for a while but it’s a big job - to enact legislative change for the benefit of the city - and I wanted to be sure the timing was right so that I could do it well, be effective, and that my role as a councillor would fit into my family’s life as well. From my professional life as a communications professional, I bring the ability to listen closely and translate what I’ve heard into action, synthesizing the input from a wide array of sources and additional research, into a productive path forward. I bring a spirit of healthy challenge to existing processes and systems, identifying areas for improved communication and new process efficiencies. In my mind, there are no more dangerous words in any institution or system than, “That’s just how we’ve always done it.” Let’s take a fresh look at how we work together on the Council.
Question 2: What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?
The solution to the housing crisis requires a multi-faceted approach. For starters, we need to reintroduce the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance into the conversation to ensure a minimum requirement of affordable units in new construction. We’re living in a time when there is also a debt and equitable pay crisis so it’s worth rethinking the long-accepted equation that states 30% of someone’s income can be dedicated to housing costs – for low-wage and gig workers and young professionals who carry large student debts, that 30% is not possible. Moreover, we need to rethink either, or both, of the equations that state that 80% of the Area Median Income is considered “affordable” and how AMI is calculated by HUD, which include communities that inflate the numbers above Salem’s reality. We need to also do all we can to protect the naturally occurring affordable housing that we have. I’m proud that I have worked, or am currently working on, two efforts which will help in this: 1. Historic Salem worked diligently to get the recent Demolition Delay Ordinance written and passed which, in addition to increasing historic protections, will also help preserve smaller historic single and multi-family houses (generally properties in need of renovations that appear on the lower end of the Real Estate market), 2. I currently sit on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board’s subcommittee looking to create a new Condo Conversion ordinance, which will slow the flipping of homes and rental units into condos and better empower the renters that live there. Lastly, there may be future opportunities to convert existing units to affordable units through municipal partnership with housing nonprofits.
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?
Salem is being visibly impacted by the climate crisis every day – evidence of increasing sea levels and the rising water table are visible in our streets and homes. There are a number of mitigation options available if we can find the resources. We need to look at our water and sewer infrastructure and to adding pipes and pumps to bring water from our streets out to the harbor; we need to reinforce and in some cases raise sea walls, reinforce and raise beaches, which are diminished due to serious erosion; I’d love to see more Living Coast Line locations like the one Salem Sound Coast Watch has established at Collins Cove, and we need more trees to help absorb run off and increase air quality and mitigate urban heat areas. In the future, we will likely need to look at raising or moving some properties as well (trees may be available to you through the Greening of the Gateway program, which is active in Salem right now). I encourage everyone to participate in the Keeping History Above Water: Salem, Preservation in a Changing Climate event on 13–14 September to learn more, and participate in the work of local organizations actively working on this issue.
Question 4: Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.
By and large, there are a lot of new digital engagement opportunities being made available by the City and their partners – informative mobile apps, email notifications, calls and texts, and virtual meeting attendance. I support all of these things and believe virtual meeting attendance should remain an option in a hybrid model for public meetings. The consistent issue is in public engagement for those without access to reliable technological tools and internet, and advance-notice public awareness campaigns. The combination of which means we need to look at more print marketing. I acknowledge there is a negative environmental impact of this so I would encourage thinking creatively about where and how and to whom we need to specifically communicate through print distributions. Reaching the public and hearing back from them in a constructive feedback loop is an important part of the municipal process. There are also some issues with the usability of the City’s website so I would support a redesign. The other open area I see for engagement is in getting out the vote – the City does a good job in making it accessible and easy to vote (by mail, drop box, early voting) but I would love to see additional transportation options for people who would like to vote in person but may be without a vehicle or have mobility challenges. One potential solution could be use of the Salem Skipper – perhaps additional or a dedicated door-to-door service on election days. Lastly, I think it is important for Councillors to reach their constituents – I would continue with a newsletter and use of social media, and I would implement the use of Ward-specific surveys and attendance at neighborhood meetings and events to ensure regular, personal contact with residents.
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?
I think the proposed establishment of the permanent Race Equity Commission is a fantastic idea. There were some real opportunities and specific actions that were identified in the report, and I think it’s imperative that a dedicated group of citizens continue that work and advocate for changes as they identify the needs. One specific area that I am really excited has been identified already is that this Commission would address the hiring and recruitment practices of the City and public school system. I would support the establishment of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office for the Salem Public Schools as well as at the City and would encourage their work to include how the public schools can better support our LGBTQIA and non-binary students. I’m also encouraged by the findings that suggest we need to be addressing the barriers for housing and mental health support of our marginalized communities when we look at our public health plans, continued COVID-19 actions, and our housing needs assessment which is currently being updated. I also support paying close attention to the circumstances of when and how local financial institutions and grant makers approve or do not approve of the lending of small business loans to BIPOC-owned businesses. As a councillor, I would support these specific areas of growth and inclusion for our residents.
Learn more about my involvement in Salem and my professional background at: www.carolineforsalem.com or follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/carolineforsalem