Question 1: Why are you running for Councilor and what skills can you bring to the position?
I am running for Ward 5 because I want every resident to have their voices heard and concerns addressed. Our Governmental process needs to be open, transparent and accessible to every resident. I would like to live in a City that puts people first and creates opportunities for a great future for everyone. We should dream big in Salem and realize that we can achieve our dreams.
My vision for Ward 5 is derived from the working-class values that were instilled in me by my parents: equality of opportunities; respect and acceptance; and bringing people together on common ground to solve problems. Those values were reinforced in my professional career, and more recently during my advocacy for accessibility during the last few years.
I am confident that now is the right time for me to put all my experiences together and work for you as Ward 5 Councillor. My voice will be outspoken; I will always put the constituents of Ward 5 first; and I will ensure that together our voices are heard.
Question 2: What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?
Although the housing shortage affects all income levels, I would particularly like the City to focus on affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and our population earning $65,000/yr. and less. This truly is where the housing crisis exists. There are no simple solutions and no one silver bullet to resolve the housing affordability crisis. Salem must focus on concrete and creative measures. It will require us working together in innovative ways.
Below are several steps that the City of Salem must either continue or start to implement in order to solve the affordable housing crisis.
Create and support Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF)
Salem has already taken the step of creating an AHTF and has made progress. However, we need to continue to increase public investment in funds to assist non-profit community developers.
Offer incentives and tax breaks for developing affordable housing.
Salem has entered into contracts and offered tax breaks and public land to projects that require market rate development. We need to partner with developers that are offering affordable housing at 60% AMI and at a minimum of 30% of the units.
Municipal bonds (via ballot) for affordable housing.
Salem can propose allocating funds to specific projects or developments via municipal bond ballot question. This provides residents with the opportunity to approve or deny spending by way of the ballot box.
Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance.
City Council needs to bring back the IZ ordinance for affordable homes with a sliding scale on increasing density. Small development projects (less than 8) should be allowed a 25% increase in density bonus. The density bonus must decrease as the size of the project increases. This will allow for smaller projects to provide affordable units.
Innovation.
Salem needs to be on the cutting edge of development focused on faster building, increased productivity, and lower costs.
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’s shoreline is increasingly threatened by flooding and erosion associated with climate change. We must address these issues with a science-based approach. Salem must take a multidisciplinary, integrated approach that combines both coastal science and policy. This can be accomplished by creating a public working group made up of City Planners, Conservation Commission, Salem Sound Coast Watch, and residents.
Question 4: Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.
I have already had success enhancing civic engagement, including increasing participation on the part of Salem’s citizens. Prior to the pandemic, I started and ran a Facebook account that live broadcasted many City meetings that were not currently broadcast on cable TV. These videos received thousands of views, and I immediately recognized the need for all meetings to be video broadcasted and recorded. In addition, all meetings must be accessible to all residents. The City’s meetings, press releases, and social media posts did not include closed captioning, and were therefore not accessible to our deaf and hard of hearing community. I personally worked with Superintendent Zrike, Mayor Kim Driscoll, and the City Council to have closed captioning added.
There are three (3) primary steps that need to be implemented to enhance civic engagement:
All Board and Commission Meetings, School Committee Meetings, City Council Meetings and sub-committee meetings must continue to be broadcast on Zoom (or similar platform). In addition, the City must allow for public participation both in person and remotely.
The public must be provided all pertinent information regarding the topics well before the meetings and must have the ability to have their voices heard at every meeting.
Public debate must be welcomed, promoted, wide-open, and uninhibited. As leaders, it is our job to listen to all views from the public, not just the ones we personally favor.
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?
The task force report reviewed race equity related to community culture, economics, education, health and public safety. In reviewing the findings and recommendations of the sub-committees, the next steps are clear: the City needs to implement a plan that will complete the actions suggested by each subcommittee, and after completing the work, the City must measure the results and make any additional improvements needed.
Simply put, Salem must strive to create a community where race does not determine one's socio-economic, educational, safety or health outcomes.
For more information about Steve, please visit his campaign website: www.stevekapantais.com