At-Large: Arthur Sargent

Education: Salem High School 1974, Salem State University 1981.
Professional: Presently employed by The Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, as an Instrumentation Technician, since 2015. Formerly employed for 33 years at The Salem Harbor Station Power Plant, as a Computer Control Technician until it was closed in 2014.
Public Service: Councillor at Large 2000 to present.
Community Service: Salem K-9 Police Dog fundraising volunteer
Personal: Homeowner at 8 Maple Avenue, Married to Kathleen (DeFranco) Sargent. We have three adult children, Patrick and his wife Sarah Sargent, Amy and her husband Eric Sclafani, and Eric Sargent.

Why are you running for Councillor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?

I'm running to help give the people of Salem the best possible quality of life. Every decision a Councillor makes should have this as the end result. I like to research the history of issues that come before the City Council and City Boards. If you understand past zoning changes, planning board decisions, board of appeal agreements and City Council Votes, you can make a more informed decision as we plan Salem's future. I will also continue to listen to the people of Salem, hear their input, learn from their experiences and incorporate this information to the best of my ability, into the planning process of our city.

What are some of your proposed solutions to resolving the housing crisis in Salem?

We currently have 12.4 percent affordable housing in Salem. That makes us the 15th best city, out of 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, at providing affordable housing for our residents.  New housing development should have between ten and twenty percent affordable housing so we remain at or improve upon our impressive 15th place ranking.                        

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 biggest concern is the impact of storms on our waterfront neighborhoods and the sea walls that protect them. A scheduled inspection and preventive maintenance program must be used to be sure our sea walls are ready for future weather events.

Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.

Civic engagement begins with involving the people of Salem in the planning and decision making process of our city as early as possible. This includes public and private development projects. Let them know about a meeting, listen to their input, combine it with the expertise of the professional planners and architects and move forward with a better project.

At-Large: Ty Hapworth

My high school sweetheart, Micah and I are raising two young children in Salem. We both grew up in the same small town and attended the University of Maine.

Following the events of September 11, I joined the Army. After graduating from college and receiving my commission, I spent the next three years serving as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer, where I received decorations that included the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. After the Army, Micah and I moved back to New England, where I earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Massachusetts.

Today I am a Commercial Executive with Microsoft and serve on the Salem Beautification Committee and the Punto Urban Art Museum Advisory Board. I am also a photographer (@hellosalem), the founder of @Igerssalem, and a member of Historic Salem. I believe that Salem is at a crossroads, we need hopeful voices and principled leaders to keep our city affordable, inclusive and vibrant.

Why are you running for Councilor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?

More people are moving to Salem than we’ve seen in over a century. We’ve seen a growing creative economy, exciting and innovative new businesses and reinvestment in our historic buildings. While life in Salem can be far from perfect, we’ve re-branded ourselves to the world as an inclusive place where people want to live, visit and invest in. However, with change comes uncertainty, and questions about how to deal with a growing and urgent affordability crisis. I am running as someone who has led and mentored hundreds of women and men over the last decade and I can tell you that times of change can be stressful and require strong leadership.

Leaders who have enough confidence in their own values to have empathy for those who disagree with them. Leaders who can bring everyone to the table and harness this change to ensure that it works for everyone.

What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?

Positions here: 

https://www.tyhapworth.com/overlay

https://www.salemnews.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/letter-housing-crisis-requires- steadfast-leadership/article_8d4f2bf4-a836-58f3-a9cc-7cb38c560049.html

From my Letter to the Editor in July:

“As an Army platoon leader, I learned that every decision I made brought with it real and imagined side effects. But leadership is about so much more than allowing worst-case outcomes to paralyze your ability to make decisions. Good leaders seize opportunities and take action to help those who depend on them. Good leaders also recognize that often the best way to solve big problems is by acting, getting little wins and repeating. This is the leadership that we need from our city council when it comes to addressing the affordability crisis in Salem.”

My experience as a leader has taught me that the only way to solve big problems is by getting small wins and repeating. This is how we’ll begin to address the affordability crisis. Updating the zoning code would help struggling homeowners earn extra income while creating additional housing. We can also make development work for everyone by mandating affordability and leveraging our existing historic buildings to create needed homes. These are all small steps that will make a big difference for individuals and families impacted by this crisis.

How do you see Salem impacted by the climate crisis and what new initiatives would you take to lead Salem's resiliency efforts?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/im-progressive-preservationist-heres-why-ty-hapworth/

Climate change will not only impact our planet but put several of Salem’s neighborhoods acutely at risk. As a first step we must act on the recommendations made in Salem’s Climate Change Vulnerability Report in 2014. These include repairing and raising sea walls where appropriate, giving DPW the ability to quickly deploy temporary floodwalls where needed, and installing more permeable non-erodible asphalt in select locations.

We also need to ensure that we are doing our part as a city. We must continue to encourage alternative forms of transportation through shuttle services, cycling and walkability. Finally, we need to support the adaptive reuse of our historic buildings, recognizing that these structures are unique, built with durable materials and are one of Salem’s most important green natural resources.

Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.

Highly charged divisive rhetoric can frustrate people and tunes them out of the political process, reducing civic engagement at an individual level. As a leader I’ve recognized that people need to ensure their voices are heard if you’re going to ask them to be a part of the process. I’m committed to doing that by meeting people where they are. This includes block parties, 5Ks, neighborhood meetings, coffee shops, playgrounds, social media and more. As a Councillor it will be my responsibility to engage with people who may disagree and seek common ground. The tone is set at the top and if elected I will use my voice to be inclusive and encourage citizen engagement.

At-Large: Conrad Prosniewski

Born, raised and educated in Salem, and after serving my community for nearly forty one years, I wish to continue my commitment to the people of Salem.

As a voice and leader with the Salem Police for many years I have not only been been exposed to the many issues and difficulties our city has faced, but also helped organize and strategize many successful initiatives and plans of actions.  I have been and continue to be totally committed to improving the quality of life for everyone in Salem.

Born in 1954 I am first generation American whose parents immigrated after WW II. Both worked in factories raising myself and my sister Barbara, who is a doctor residing in California.  Their dream came true, as should the dreams of others.  Without their efforts I would not have my wife Julie, my two children Michael & Kristina and my grandson Tommy who are my life.

BACKGROUND:

• St. John the Baptist Elementary School

• Salem High School Class of 1972

• Essex Technical Institute A.S. Environmental Science

• North Shore Community College, A.S. Criminal Justice

• New England Flyers, Private Pilot

• Eagle Scout

• Police Patrol Officer 1978 – 1991

• Sergeant/Detective 1991 – 2004

• Lieutenant/Police Prosecutor 2004 – 2016

• Captain 2016 – 2018

• Executive Officer 2018 – 2019

• Dive Master/Dive Team Commander 1993 – 2018

• Public Information Officer 1991 - 2019

•  City of Salem, Mayor’s Citizen Advisory Committee 1999- Present

• City of Salem, Waterfront Advisory Committee 2004 – 2008

• City of Salem, No Place for Hate Committee 1995 - 2019

• Board of Directors/ Salem Children’s Charity 1992 – Present

Why are you running for Councilor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?

As a Police Officer with nearly 41 years of experience, and devoted to helping improve the quality of life for all of us in Salem, I simply wish to continue serving my community.

My career began in 1978 as a Patrol Officer for over ten years I was assigned to the Point section of Salem.  I made many friends and enjoyed serving a largely immigrant population. Drawing from my own upbringing from immigrant parents I welcomed the opportunity to help break down barriers and educate many on the differences between our police department as compared to what they experienced with police in their countries.   It was my privilege to work and serve with a community that opened their homes and shared their culture with trust in my sincerity.

As a Detective for nearly 20 years, investigating crimes ranging from petty larcenies to murder, my strength was my tenacity, and my compassion genuine and true.

As a Sergeant during the start of Community Policing I was given the opportunity to help create several initiatives and programs including the Citizen’s Police Academy, Neighborhood Crime Watch, and Behind the Badge Access Television Show, all successful in helping to bring together the police department with our community.  

As a Lieutenant and Police Prosecutor for eleven years, my experience in our courts and with the judicial system allowed me to represent not only the police department’s efforts, but more importantly the victims of crimes and the impact on their lives.

As a Captain and Executive Officer my experiences now include commanding divisions, department budgeting and grant writing, and throughout my career working with the many city department and officials addressing the safety and concerns of our community.

As Public Information Officer for over 25 years, open, honest and truthful dialogue with the media and the public was key in maintaining transparency and the integrity of the Salem Police Department.

What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?At this point I cannot offer a simple solution to such a complicated and highly debated issue, but as a lifelong member of this community, and seeing the changes it has experienced over the last fifty years,  I am willing to listen, learn and represent what I believe is in the best interests of Salem.

How do you see Salem impacted by the climate crisis and what new initiatives would you take to lead Salem's resiliency efforts?

We all know climate change is real and as a waterfront community we have to seriously look at what changes are reasonably forecasted  and how we can work together to adapt with these changes.

Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.

To me civic engagement means open, honest and transparent dialogue not only between city administrators and staff, but more importantly with the community as a whole. Genuinely listening to even the smallest of issues, even those that may seem trivial or non-essential to most of us, are usually truly important to the person reporting them and should not be brushed aside. As a community impact supervisor, gaining the trust of the public meant genuinely caring and doing something about it.  

At-Large: Domingo Dominguez

Born in the Dominican Republic, Domingo Dominguez has called Salem home for the past twenty-five years. He is a proud husband and father to seven wonderful children. He has owned his current home on Raymond Road since 2000. He is able to communicate fluently in English and Spanish. Domingo currently serves as a City Councilor where he works collaboratively with his colleagues and community groups to bring transformative change to the City of Salem. As a Councilor Domingo sits as the Chairman for the Community & Economic Development Committee, is a member of the Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs committee (OLLA) and is the liaison for Parks and Recreation. During his first term, he has participated in passing a balanced city budget, collaborated with colleagues and community groups to hold a series of community conversations to learn more of residents’ concerns, and has been committed to celebrating and getting to know all the different faces of Salem.

Outside of the Salem City Council, Domingo is a regional sales manager with IDT Corporation. His past work experience includes 15 years as an owner/operator of a multiservice business located in Salem. Prior to opening up his own company, he spent three years as a teacher in Salem Public Schools. Domingo is aware of the ongoing issues within Salem. He wants to continue to listen to your concerns to learn more. He will continue to strongly advocate for the health, safety and well-being of our neighborhoods and all of its residents.

Why are you running for Councilor and what particular skills can you bring to the position?

I am running to represent my family and my community. Family is the most important thing to me besides God, and Salem has given me support in raising my family and becoming a homeowner. I have learned through many experiences what it takes to have a beautiful life in Salem, and I want everyone who lives here to have that same opportunity. I have been a teacher, a business owner, a community leader, and raised a family. I know what to fight for because I know many Salem residents have the same dreams and concerns as me.

We have a large percentage of Latino residents and right now I am the only councilor who can communicate effectively in English and Spanish and have grown up in that culture. I have a strong belief in the importance of being independent and working across the aisle. I do not believe we can make the best decisions when politicians are working against each other, or when there are members of our community who do not think their voice is heard or that the people representing them already have their mind made up. I believe I have proven my dedication to this city and will work every day to continue to do so.

What are some of your proposed solutions towards resolving the housing crisis in Salem?

Salem has always been a city where working class people can make a life for themselves and their families and we need to continue to be that. Immigrants and minorities are likely to be the most affected if we cannot provide affordable housing solutions and I want to support everyone in my community. To resolve our issues around affordable housing I will be active and informed about solutions that will benefit as many people as possible while keeping our community whole. I will meet with developers, other government officials, businesses and employers, and members of our community to find the best solutions.

My proposal is that we develop a long-term plan for housing in Salem and stick to that plan. We need to be flexible enough to allow developers to provide new housing options, but we cannot displace our current residents. We need to be transparent and inform the community about what is happening and why, and we need to use housing formulas that include low income projects and mixed housing projects. I will work to make that happen, and I will not sign off on policies that move people out of our community.

How do you see Salem impacted by the climate crisis and what new initiatives would you take to lead Salem's resiliency efforts?

The whole world is impacted by the climate crisis. Salem is on the coast and could eventually have a problem if the sea level continues to rise. We need to continue to look for sustainable solutions. One initiative that I support and will to continue to support is promoting solar energy. Through Solarize Mass, Salem has partnered with Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to offer cheaper solar energy for Salem residents. We also need to work with Salem State University and our local scientists and organizations to educate residents on steps everyone can take to live more sustainably. We can all try to carpool more, walk or use bicycles, use less water, pick up trash, and do little things to change the negative impact we are having on the climate.

Please outline some ideas you have that can enhance civic engagement at the city level.

The first thing to do is to continue to listen to Salem residents and be a voice for their ideas and concerns. I also want to offer more community conversations and events where all of Salem can come together to get educated on what is happening in the city and share their ideas and concerns. I want to make events available in multiple languages, so everyone has a voice. The last thing I want to do is to offer mentorship to people who want to run for official city positions or who want to learn what they can do to be involved. I want to make opportunities for everyone to be able to be involved in supporting Salem.