Why are you running for Councillor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
I jumped into this race because my neighbors and I felt our Ward Councilor was not acting in our best interests regarding the proposed Lifebridge mega-development. And on Highland Avenue, developers had also been prioritized over abutters. This campaign is not about me, but about someone stepping up for Ward 3 residents.
All the best things in my life have happened because of community and collaboration. As a filmmaker, I approach people with an open mind, listen, capture their stories, and then amplify them through my films. Politicians will tell you they are listening. Listening is not enough. Acting upon what is heard determines the value of a listener.
Managing film productions, I have experience working with teams of different personalities towards a common goal. Creating a neighborhood organization helped give weight to the issues facing my neighbors. Sitting on The Salem Italian American Credit Union board strengthened my financial knowledge. Designing, running, and programming Salem Film Fest involved managing dozens of organizers and hundreds of volunteers while creating a receptive atmosphere for international filmmakers. I don’t look to follow patterns or replicate what others have done. I adapt ideas to specific places and situations and create new ways of doing old things.
In my business and personal life, I’ve been a fiscally responsible hard worker, who likes inventing opportunities to make things better. I will be doing that as a representative of the people of Ward 3 and we will have fun in the process.
Residents are facing housing instability and displacement. Do you have specific plans that would protect renters in the city?
Major housing developments are threatening Salem’s architectural, historical, and environmental integrity and the quality of life that have kept generations of families here. The City has become largely unaffordable for people who serve us, for musicians, artists, and for those who do the work we don’t want to do. Expensive and unattractive towers are rising all around us with merely a handful of “affordable units” based on Boston’s AMI.
We need to free ourselves from the grasp of greed-driven developers intent on building outsized ugly buildings, as well as the politicians and think tanks that support them. We need to explore ways of creating real homes — the type of structures that bring people who want to invest long term in Salem. We need to give incentives to homeowners offering affordable units. We need to create live/work spaces for the artists, musicians, writers and creatives who add much to our life and our local dialogue. We need to find developers open to considering concepts like land trusts, cooperative housing, shared equity and rent to own programs. Housing must have architectural integrity, take into consideration traffic impact, and be acceptable to abutting residents. If we can’t find the right partners to build what we want, we need to be patient and wait for better opportunities. Salem’s leaders should protect and value the historic and remarkable city they have inherited. If not everyone gets to live here, then not everyone gets to build here.
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?
I’m not sure how much a Ward 3 Councilor can mitigate the climate crisis in Salem, but City leadership can be more consistent with environmental policies and do a better job promoting practical solutions.
The City is pushing initiatives to lower carbon footprints and get cars off the road, while also pushing development projects on land predicted to be flooded in the very near future. This doesn’t add up — except in developer’s bank accounts. Avoiding construction on flood plains is a straightforward policy; ignoring science means we face a costly uphill battle in the future.
We need to improve communications and meet people halfway on lowering carbon footprints by making solutions practical, rather than political, costly, or elitist. A few ideas that will help are installing solar panels on public buildings; better incentivizing the switch from fossil fuels; developing a more robust public transportation and ride share system; promoting and lowering the cost of composting for residents and restaurants.
Personally, I can attest to the fact that something as simple as ditching our dryer for an old-school clothesline has kept our electricity bill really low. A clothesline or foldable drying racks will not only save you money but can be a communication device — sticking your head out the window gets you away from electronics and provides an opportunity to talk with your neighbors.
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?
I have spent decades working with and for people of diverse backgrounds and helping amplify their voices. I am a co-founder of Salem Film Fest, which has brought stories about people of all colors, sexual preferences, and world cultures to the North Shore. Internally, the Fest has diversified its leadership over the years as more people have become excited to work with us.
Moving to NYC in 1977 expanded my world vision. My film production company employed a largely female set of editors. I helped edit films like Incident at Oglala (Leonard Peltier and American Indian Movement) and Moving the Mountain (the Tiananmen Square uprising). I worked for companies like Human Rights in China and Doctors Without Borders and closely with Jamal Joseph and Kathleen Cleaver, of the original Black Panther party. Jamal’s energy and community involvement in Harlem were a huge inspiration. In 1998, I was brought to Bermuda to edit campaign material for the Progressive Labor Party – the first time a Black run party would win that country’s election. I co-edited the first Food Network series featuring an African American chef – as well as several other series with Chef G Garvin and multiple shows for minority owned production companies and cable TV stations like TV One.
I don’t consider this “leading” but simply being. If you leave yourself open to it, the world and all its people have the potential to become partners. I expect the same when I am a City Councilor.
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.
Low voter turnout is indicative of the fact that many people feel they no longer have a voice.
I am not aligning myself with any politicians, I am aligning myself with the people of my Ward. They are my only true responsibility. I expect to hold regular public meetings to keep updated on issues in the Ward. I would like to form committees of Ward residents to counsel me regularly on various needs. I’d also like to create a Youth Council made up of youngsters 18 and under to hear their concerns and ideas.
My constituents of all ages and backgrounds will come to trust that I will listen to them, prioritize their needs and put in the work for them. Together we will try to find solutions. Bringing transparency, accessibility, energy, and an innovative approach to governing will remind people that their vote does count, and that change is truly possible. When people feel like they are included, they become invested and act on behalf of their community. Those actions include voting.
Learn more
Campaign Website: JoeCWard3.com
Campaign Email: JoeCWard3@gmail.com
Social Media: facebook.com/joe.cultrera