Question 1: Why are you running for Councillor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?
I am running for the office of councilor to re-establish the quality of life of residents of the City of Salem. I know what is needed to re-establish a great quality of life for the residents of the City of Salem. I know that can be done without raising taxes and by not giving project developers tax incentives to build housing projects that cost more for Salem to service then are paid to Salem in taxes.
Question 2: What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in the City of Salem?
Sadly, government action of a local temporary rent control ordinance is needed. Do I think that rent control is a great solution to ever higher rents? No!!!! Is that action needed now? Sadly, yes. Housing units exempt from this city ordinance must be owner-occupied 2, 3, and 4-unit housing units. In that ordinance the definition of owner occupied must be carefully defined.
Question 3: How do you see Salem impacted by climate change and what new initiatives would you take to lead Salem’s resiliency efforts?
Salem will be substantially impacted by climate change. Many projects both proposed and those built have been built on flood plains or filled tidal lands. The cost to either protect or take by eminent domain already built housing projects built on flood plains and filled tidal lands will be enormous. Salem should stop all proposed projects that will be sited on tidal lands or flood plains to minimize municipal expenses and thus taxes.
Question 4: Please outline some ideas that can enhance civic engagement at the City level.
I will meet with residents of my ward on a regular basis. I will have actual dialogue with Salem residents. I will solve the problems of my ward. Presently, Ms. Riccardi, the Ward Six Councillor, spends more time on attempting to solve the problems of the region, the City of Boston, and to an extent the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, then on solving the problems of Ward Six residents.
Question 5: How do you think Salem should continue working on issues of race equality, now that the City’s first Race Equality Task Force has submitted its report?
Happily, I have seen little racism done against or by residents of the City of Salem. Tolerance for all is quickly and easily attained by establishing good jobs with good wages for all residents. That thought was originally raised by the late Senator Hubert Humphrey, and later by Robert Reich. The present planning department should encourage biotech companies, computer companies, and medical research companies to locate in Salem.