Why are you running for Councillor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
There’s still more to do. If re-elected, this will be my last term. As only Salem resident to be a chair of 2 City boards same time, I understand the importance of the efforts of our volunteer residents. Am a consensus builder. Not an ally, but an accomplice. Listens first.
Residents are facing housing instability and displacement. Do you have specific plans that would protect renters in the city?
Discouraged that the legislature hasn’t acted on our home rule petition to pass a condo conversion ordinance. Worked diligently to get the Canal St Station project through the permitting/boards (250 rental units, 20% at 60% AMI, workforce housing). Increase tenant protections. Inclusionary zoning MUST include density bonus and parking variances. Favor transfer fee.
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?
Too much focus on flooding, which is a problem, but the water table already too high. Will submit adoption of the Specialized Stretch Code to Council. Will submit EV charging and bicycle parking ordinances. Will submit revised recycling ordinance as current not enforceable. Work with Councillor Varela on ordinances and projects to make our trash reduction a reality (not today) as the focus on little just moving things around. For example, supporting Varela’s composting ordinance and Salem having out own styrofoam and composting processing, which will reduce waste, safe $ and create jobs. Will work to make sure the proposed flood resiliency ordinance is improved to include much more of Salem (no 6 untis or more, as the tree ordinance is 5+ units). We need to better promote energy efficiency/fossil free solutions for multi-units (apartments, condos) such as heat pumps. Believe we need a shuttle (free for residents) to reduce transportation emissions (also economic driver, especially for lower income residents).
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?
Wrote the original sanctuary city ordinance on behalf of Human Rights Coalition (HRC). Though what passed does NOT make us a sanctuary city, it was a conversation we needed to have and continue to have. Worked with others on HRC to initiate the process for Salem to have Indigenous People’s Day. Surprised “accessible” not included here as imperative to become inclusive and am liaison to Commission on Disabilities. I don’t care if you have lived here for 5 minutes or your entire life, you belong here.
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.
Although voters in general don’t believe their votes matter, they do more at the local level. I meet people where they are, which we can do much better at. Too many elected officials, especially Councillors, become important when elected – we’re not. This is really about engaging with our youth. Examples of what I’m doing: I teach a YouthBuild class twice a month. Brought 8th graders from Saltonstall to Council to lobby their petition for bicycle safety on Lafayette St. Also, I attend every Bertram/Pioneer Terrace LTO meeting and make sure their voices heard. When communities reduce the number of polling places as Salem has done dramatically, we also reduce access. The Mayor’s special election had no early voting, ouch. Since being elected and in spite of not having an opponent, I’ve never stopped canvassing. We assume we know more people than we do. Too many talk about citizens, but all who live and work in Ward 5 are my constituents.
Learn more
Campaign Website: https://jeffcohenforsalem.weebly.com
Campaign Email: jmcohen01@comcast.net
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/JeffCohensDirectActionNetwork/ @jeffcohenforward5