preliminary boston election guide 2013
DESCRIPTION
A guide to candidates in the September 24th, 2013 Boston Municipal Elections, compiled by Rosie's Place.TRANSCRIPT
2013MunicipalElections
PreliminaryCandidatesGuide
VoteonSeptember24thRegisterbySeptember4th
Pollsareopen7:00AM—8:00PM
PreparedbythepublicpolicyprogramofRosie’sPlace.CandidatequestionnairetopicswereselectedwithinputfromRosie’sPlace
guests.
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TableofContents
GeneralElectioninformation 4
YourElectioninformation 5
Sampleballot—Mayor 6
FelixArroyo 8
JohnBarros 10
CharlesClemons 12
RobConsalvo 14
JohnConnolly 16
DanConley 18
CharlotteGolarRichie 20
MikeRoss 22
BillWalczak 24
DavidJamesWyatt 26
CharlesYancey 28
Sampleballot—CityCouncilAt‐Large 31
MichaelFlaherty 34
AltheaGarrison 36
AnnissaEssaibiGeorge 38
ChrisConroy 32
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JackKelly 40
KeithKenyon 42
MartinKeogh 44
StephenMurphy 46
CatherineO’Neill 48
AyannaPressley 50
JeffRoss 52
GarethSaunders 54
RamonSoto 56
SeamusWhelan 58
FranciscoWhite 60
DouglasWohn 62
MichelleWu 64
AdditionalCandidates 66
Notes 67
TableofContents
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Rosie’sPlacewillprovidecandidateinformationanddirectionstothepollsfrom
9:00AM—3:00PMOnElectionDay.
GeneralElectionInformation
ThetopwinnersfromthepreliminarywillchallengeeachotherinthegeneralelectiononNovember5th.
MunicipalelectionsintheCityofBostonarenon‐partisan.Youcan
voteinthepreliminaryelectionregardlessofyourpoliticalaffiliation.
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IfyouareregisteredtovoteatadifferentlocationthanRosie'sPlace,pleasecallthecityelectionsdepartmentat617‐635‐4635orwww.cityofboston.gov/whoami,tofindoutyourdistrictandpollinglocation.YoucanalsogetthisinformationfromtheRosie's
PlacePublicPolicyProgram.
IfyouareregisteredatRosie'sPlace(889HarrisonAvenue,Boston)yourpollinglocationis:
OrchardGardensCommunityCenter2DearbornSt,Boston
IfyouareregisteredatWoodsMullenorPineStreetInnyourpollinglocationis:
CathedralHighSchoolGym1336WashingtonStreet,Boston
UsefulcontactsforvotersSecretaryofState:800‐462‐8683ww.wheredoivotema.comwww.mass.gov/secBostonElectionsDepartment:617‐635‐2767Www.cityofboston.gov/elections/voterLawyersCommitteeforCivilRights:886–OURVOTE(687‐8683)888–VEYVOTA(839‐8682)
YourElectionInformation
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CandidatesforMayor
Youmayvoteforonly1candidate
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SampleBallot
CandidatesforMayorIntheorderinwhichtheywillappearontheballot
CharlesLClemonsJr.
BillWalczak
CharlesCalvinYancey
RobConsalvo
CharlotteGolarRichie
MichaelPRoss
MartinJWalsh
JohnRConnolly
FelixGArroyo
DavidJamesWyatt
DanielFConley
JohnFBarros
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CandidateforMayor
FelixArroyo
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Wemustfocusonhavingsafeandaffordableneighborhoodsandwestartbyinvestinginaffordablehousing.Myfamily,likemanyfamilies,neededalegupandneededaffordablehousingwhentheyfirstmovedtoBostonandfoundthatatVillaVictoria.Housingopenedupotheropportunitiestosucceed.Everyonedeservestohaveaplacetolive,andthatdoesn’thappenbyaccident,andthatdoesn’thappenbecauseyouwishitso.Thathappensbyintention.Isupportthebuildingofhousingofdifferentsizes,sothathouseholdsofdifferentsizescanliveinBoston.A“onesizefitsall”approachtohousingignoresthediversityoffamiliesthatcallBostontheirhome.Iamcommittedtoensuringtheconstructionandmaintainingofaffordableandmoderatehousinginourcityandencouragingmixeduseddevelopmentthatincludesmarketrate,moderaterateandaffordablehousing.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Homelessnessaffectspeopledifferently.Asaresult,homelessnesspreventionmusttakeintoaccounttheuniqueneedsofallthoseitseekstoempower.Ifelected,IwouldworkwithRosie’sPlacetocoordinateeffortstoprovideservicesandsupportforhomelesswomenaswellasexpandtrainingandworkforcedevelopmentprogramsforwomenlivinginshelters.
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Iwouldalsostronglysupportpoliciesthatensurethathomelesswomenareshelteredandultimatelyhousedinareaswheretheyhavesupportsystems,suchasextendedfamiliesorfriends,inplaceandworktoensurethathomelesswomenwithchildrenareshelterednearschools. Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Safeandsecureneighborhoodsarekeytoastrongcity.AsMayor,Iwillprioritizepublicsafetyandensurethatourpolice,fire,EMSandstreetworkersreceivethefundingtheyneedtodotheirjobseffectively.AsBostonians,weareblessedtohavegreatpublicsafetypersonnelandcommittedneighborhoodassociations.Byworkingtogether,fosteringrelationshipsandbuildingcommunity,wecanensurethatallourstreetsaresafeandallourneighborhoodsarelivable.Communitypolicingiskeytosafeneighborhoodsandwewillensurethatwehavepolicewalkingthebeatandbicyclinginallofourneighborhoods.Bettertrustandcommunicationbetweenpublicsafetyofficersandcommunitymembers,includinghomelesswomen,iscrucial,However,streetviolenceprevention,inordertobeeffective,mustalsobeattunedtolastingtrauma.AsMayor,Iwouldmovetocreateamorecomprehensiveinfrastructureforsurvivorsofviolence.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?First,Iwouldimplement“InvestinBoston,”legislationIdevelopedtohelpcreatejobsandspurourlocaleconomy.Bostonhasoverabilliondollarsindepositsinvariousbanks,yetwedon’tknowthatthesebanksinvestinourneighborhoods.“InvestinBoston”wouldensurethatweonlydobusinesswithbanksthatarelendingtosmallbusinesses,toqualifiedhomebuyers,todevelopmentprojects,andthatarehelpingsolveourforeclosurecrisis.AlljobsshouldbegoodjobsinBostonthatallowworkerstoearnalivingwage.Wealsoneedtoinvestinworkforcedevelopment,includingadulteducation,Englishlanguagetrainingandspecifictechnicaltrainingforthejobsthatexisttoday.
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JohnBarros
Whatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylow‐incomehouseholdsinBoston? Advocateatthestatelevelforrestorationandexpansionofthe
MassachusettsRentalVoucherProgramandimplementationofResidentialAssistancetoFamiliesinTransition.
Expandevictionpreventionprograms;advocateformanagementcompaniestointervenebeforefamiliesareevicted.
createapolicywhereamanagementcompanyofsubsidizedhousingisrequiredtopartnerwithanadvocacyorganizationinanevictionpreventionprogram.
TargetCityhousingresourcesanda%ofaffordablehousingdevelopmentunitstoextremelylow‐incomehouseholds
pushforthestatetoincreaserentalassistancebelow30%ofareamedianincome
coordinatewiththeBostonHousingAuthoritytomaximizesubsidyanddirecta%ofthosesubsidiestopeopleinsheltersandonthestreet.;reducetimeonthewaitlistbystreamliningworkprocesses.
Developprogrammingwithnon‐profitpartnersforfamiliesandindividualstodevelopplansfortraining,educationandjobsthatpayalivingwage.
WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?
CandidateforMayor
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expandingsubsidizedhousingopportunities: Increaseinrentalassistanceandfastleaseupsofamiliesand
womendonothavetospendalongtimeinshelters. LinkBostonPublicSchoolsandBHAtocreatesharedgoalof
stabilityandhousing.Thesegoalsshouldensurethatthewomenareengagedineducation,trainingandcareerdevelopment.
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Womenwhoareonthestreethaveaparticularlytoughtimeandarevulnerableatmanylevels.Iwillensurethatallentitieswhoengagewomenonthestreetsareversedintraumacareanddomesticviolencetraining.TheBarrosadministrationwillproactivelylinkwomenwhoareatriskorinvolvedinviolencewithservicestoassistthem.ToprovidesafetyforwomenonthestreetsIwillengagenon‐profitstoensurehousingexist.PartneringwiththestateIwillworktoincreasesubstanceabusetreatmentbedsgearedspecificallytotheneedsofwomen,includingharmreductionbeds.What is your plan to bring Boston more jobs that accommodate a variety of skill levels, play a living wage and provide benefits? CreatepartnershipsandincentivesforBostonemployerswho
willmakecommitmenttohiringBostoncommunitymembers ProvideaccesstoskillstrainingfundingtoBostonnon‐profits
toprepareresidentsforemploymentwithafocusonalivingwage,
CreatepartnershipsbetweenBostonhighschoolsandcolleges,universitiesandotherinstitutionsthatcreateacontinuumoftrainingandemploymentopportunitiesforlow’/noskilledcommunityresidentswithaccesstocareerladders,startingwiththenewlyformerMadisonParkandRoxburyCommunityCollegepartnership.
Supportthestatewidelegislativeeffortstoincreasethestateminimumwageandearnedtimeoff.
Supportthetrainingandorganizinginitiativesoftheunionsthatorganizelow‐wageworkers,namelyUNITE‐HERE,SEIU1199andSEIU615.
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CharlesClemons
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Iwillpartnerwithcommunityorganizations,developers,andbankstodevelopacomprehensiveplantoidentifyareaswiththegreatestneedsandbuilduphousingandinfrastructureaspartofacoreplantore‐developthecityanditspoorestareas.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Ibelieveinthe“OneStopServices“conceptwhereaboutiqueofservicesisofferedatthedistrictlevelforwomenexperiencinghomelessness.TheOneStopConceptwillprovideimmediatehousing,food,andhealthservicesuntilthoseinneedscantransitiontomorepermanenthousing.Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Publicsafetyisacriticalpartofmyplanforthecityitwilltakepoliceofficersoutoftheircarstowalkthebeatsinhighcrimeareasandmeetwithresidentsandbusinessownerstoidentifyandtargetproblemareas.Communitypolicingwillcreatesaferenvironmentsforwomen.
CandidateforMayor
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Publicsafetyisacriticalpartofmyplanforthecityitwilltakepoliceofficersoutoftheircarstowalkthebeatsinhighcrimeareasandmeetwithresidentsandbusinessownerstoidentifyandtargetproblemareas.Communitypolicingwillcreatesaferenvironmentsforwomen.
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CandidateforMayor
RobConsalvo
Whatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousing forextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Wemustmaintainand preserveexistingaffordableunits,aswellascreatenewhousingunits.AsChair oftheHousingCommittee,andasamemberoftheMayor'sHousingTrustFund, Igainedauniqueperspectiveonhowtocollaboratewithourcityhousing agenciesandouramazingnon‐profitsandadvocacygroupstocontinueto addressthehousingneedsoflowincomefamiliesandindividuals.Istrongly supporttheNeighborhoodHousingTrust,andsupportthecontinuationofLinkage,theprogramtobuildmoreaffordablehousingineveryneighborhood. I willcontinuetocommitfundingtouniquestrategieslikeLeadingtheWay,which buildsaffordablehousinginBoston.Istronglysupportahousingfirstmodel,scatteredsites,andtheprovisionofsupportiveservicestobringourhomeless populationintohousing.Whatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheunique needsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Thecausesandneedsofhomelesswomenareunique,andsomustbe thesolutionsemployedtobringthemintohousingandprogramsthatwillleadto abrighterfuture.Domesticandsexualviolencearetheleadingcausesof homelessnessamongwomen.Womenincrisistendtoremain"invisible"andto seekassistancelaterwhentheirneedsaremorecomplex.
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Earlyinterventionwouldbeachievedbyembeddingwomen’sneedsacrossallgovernmentstrategiesanddepartments. Thesestrategiesmustaddressthehighincidenceofstreetviolenceagainst homelesswomen.Finally,Iwouldinsistthatwomenhaveastrongvoicein shapingtheseprograms,supportsandsolutions.Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowards womenlivingonthestreets?Asmayor,Iwillcontinue toadvocatefiercelyforthesafetyandwellbeingofeveryBostonresident.I supportprevention,interventionandenforcement.Iwillconvenepolice, corrections,faith‐basedorganizations,academia,non‐profits,andyouth organizationstocollaborateoninnovativesolutions.Specifically,Iwillpromote newtechnologies,andexpandthecitywideimplementationoftheShotspotter technologythatIchampionedasacouncilor. Iwillimplementacitywidefelonygunregistry,pushgunmanufacturerstoembedGPStechnologyinhandgunsto trackstolenfirearms,andcreateacommissiondedicatedtosuccessful reintegrationtoreducerecidivismrates.Iwillalsofundincreasedmanpowerand trainingforpolice,fire,andEMS,thatwouldincludeafocusontheuniqueneeds ofourvulnerablepopulations,includinghomelesswomen.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavariety ofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Asmayor,Iwillworkwithemployerstodevelop dedicatedworkerpipelinestomakesurethatwe’repreparingallofourresidents fortheseopportunities.Tohelpencouragehigherwagesandbenefitsfor everyone,Ialsowillworkwithemployerstoexplorewaystokeeptheir businessesstrongwhileholdingdownoperatingcosts.Forexample,Boston shouldsupportsmall‐businessownersasvendorstoanchorinstitutionsand governmentagencies,andprovidetaxincentivestolandlordsthatprovide reasonablerentstolocalsmallbusinesses.ThroughoutmycareerIhave supportedprogressive,pro‐workereconomicdevelopmentstrategiesthroughout Boston.
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CandidateforMayor
JohnConnolly
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Nearlytwo‐thirdsofextremelylowincomehouseholdsinMassachusettsspendatleasthalfoftheirincomeonhousing,andthesehouseholdsfaceaseriousshortageofaffordablehousing.Federalbudgetcutsaremakingmattersworse,reducingfundingforhousingvouchersattheBostonHousingAuthorityby$10millionthisyear.Moreover,thousandsofaffordableunitsinBostonareatriskofrevertingtomarketratesincomingyears.
There’snosilverbulletforaddressingtheseseriouschallenges.Asmayor,IwillstronglysupportBoston’slinkageandinclusionaryzoningprogramsandIwillorderathoroughreviewofallofouraffordablehousingprograms‐‐administeredbytheBHA,DepartmentofNeighborhoodDevelopment,andBostonRedevelopmentAuthority‐‐toensurewe’retargetingresourcesaseffectivelyaspossible.Iwillalsopartnerwithleadersofothercitiestospeakoutaboutthedestructiveeffectsthatfederalhousingcutshaveonfamiliesandtoadvocateforrestoredfunding.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Strategiesforaddressinghomelessnessamongwomenmustrecognizethatwomenarehomelessforverydifferentreasons‐‐fromlosingajob,tofleeinganabusivepartner,tosufferingmentalhealthorsubstanceabusechallenges.Forchronicallyhomelesswomen,IsupportprogramslikeHousingFirstthatprovidepermanenthousingandsupportiveservices.
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Isupportadditionalwomen‐onlyshelters.IwillcreateanOfficeofRecoveryServicesanddirecttheofficetoworkwithpartnerstoexpandthenumberofbedsandprogramsavailable,especiallyforwomen.AndIwillworktoimprovechildcare,economicandeducationalopportunitiesforwomentohelpthemre‐enterthejobmarket. What are your plans to reduce street violence, including violence towards women living on the streets? Violencetowardswomenliving on the streets is a real problem, as became painfully clear yet again earlier this month when State Police officers arrested a man for sexually assaulting a woman who, according to news reports, was homeless. The best solution to prevent violence against women on the streets is to expand access to safe shelter and supportive services. I will also work to ensure strong training for police officers on interacting respectfully and sensitively with women living on the streets, as the National Coalition for the Homeless recommends.
I also support a multi-pronged effort to reduce street violence, including: targeting interventions early to young, at-risk children; reducing school truancy and dropouts; ensuring that police have the resources and mandate to engage in genuine community policing; and improving rehabilitation and reentry programs to reduce recidivism. What is your plan to bring Boston more jobs that accommodate a variety of skill levels, pay a living wage and provide benefits? Boston’s unemployment rate is lower than the U.S. rate, yet there are still too many Bostonians who can’t find jobs that allow them to make ends meet. Addressing this starts with transforming our schools, ensuring that every child in Boston receives a first-rate education. Next, I believe that everyone in our city should have access to at least two years of high-quality, affordable higher education to prepare for middle-skills jobs in sectors like information technology, healthcare, and energy efficiency. And we must ensure that workers are able to upgrade skills throughout their lives.
Education and job training aren’t enough, however. I support enforcement of Boston’s Living Wage Ordinance and Residents Jobs Policy. I’ll encourage a well-rounded college-to-workforce pipeline by fostering ongoing cooperation among leaders from business, labor, and higher education. I strongly support an increase in the state minimum wage and will use the mayor’s bully pulpit to advocate for it.
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DanConley
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Asmayor,IwillbeanadvocatewithourstateandfederalpartnerstoensurethatBostonhastheresourcesandsupporttocreateaffordablehousing.I’llalsoremindourpartnersthatwhileBostoncanbealeader,itshouldnotbealoner.Providinggood,affordablehousingisaresponsibilityweallneedtoembrace.Inconjunctionwiththis,IsupportBoston’scontinuedcommitmenttolinkage.IamalsocommittedtoimplementingMayorMenino’s“2020Plan”whichwouldaddupto30,000newunitsofhousingby2020.Irecognizethevalueofcommunitydevelopmentcorporationsandtheirworkandwilltreatthemasvaluedpartnersinidentifyingtheissuesthatnegativelyimpactourcommunitiesandfindingsolutionstothem.
WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?ThenumberofshelterbedsinBostonneedstobeexpandedforwomen,andtheamountofshelterspaceforwomenwithchildrenaswell.Drugtreatmentservicesandservicesgearedtowardthehomelessmentallyillwhoarewomenarealsosorelylacking.Mostimportantly,whileshelterslikeRosie’sPlacefillcriticalemergencyneeds,longtermsolutionsrequireacommitmenttoconnectingwomenexperiencinghomelesswitheducation,jobs,healthcareandpermanenthousing.Themostvulnerableinoursocietyhavealwaysbeenapriorityofmine.
CandidateforMayor
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?AsDistrictAttorneymyofficehasserveddozensofhomelesswomenwhoweresubjecttoviolenceandabuse.Wetreatthesevictimswiththesamedignityandrespectwithwhichwetreatallvictims,andwedoourbestnotonlytoholdtheguiltyaccountable,buttosurroundthesewomenwiththeservicesandsupporttheyneedtoleadsafe,healthy,independentlives.
Irecognizethatthecriminaljusticesystemitselfneedsupdatingtoaddresstheneedsofwomenwhocomebeforeit,andstrategiestopreventwomenfromgettingcaughtupindangerous,criminalactivitiesthatputthemselvesatrisk.AmongthestrategiesI’llpromoteasmayoraregender‐specificriskassessmenttools;diversionandotheralternativestoincarceration;reentryandotherprograms,includingaftercare,specificallygearedtowardsincarceratedmothersandtheirchildren;engagingBoston’sacademiccommunitytofindjuvenilejusticeapproachesthatworkbestwithgirls;drugtreatmentissuesforwomenoffenders;andhealthandmentalhealthcareconcernsspecifictowomen.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Mystrategyasmayorwillrunthegamut,fromshorttolongtermstrategiestoreversetrendsthatshowmorepart‐time,low‐paying,andlow‐to‐nobenefitjobsfueling“jobsgrowth.”Longtermstrategiesbeginwithimprovedschoolsandbuildinganeducationpipelinethatrunsfromage0‐3throughtoafocusonSTEMtocollegepreparednesssothatchildrengrowingupinBostonarepreparedtocompeteintheBostoneconomy.Asmayor,Iwillalsoworkwithorganizedlabor,non‐profitsandthebusinesscommunityforexpandedtrainingopportunitiesforworkerssotheycancontinuetoclimbtheeconomicladder.Iwillusemyoffice’sbullypulpittoadvocateforallworkerstobepaidfairlyandprotectedfromabuse.Finally,IwillworkwithorganizedlaborandtheentireBostoncommunityoneverythingfromBoston’slivingwageordinancetocreatingaunifiedeconomicstrategytogeneratemorejobsthatpaydecentwagesandbenefits.
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CharlotteGolarRichie
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Withthisyear’selection,wehaveanopportunitytobringthecitytogetheraroundissuesthatmatter–suchascreatingaffordablehousingforourhomeless,includinghomelesswomenandtheirfamilies‐‐andIhaveastrongtrackrecordinthisregard.AsStateRepresentative,IchairedtheJointCommitteeonHousingandUrbanDevelopmentandgainedpassageofahousingbondbill,whichprovidedresourcestocreateandpreserveaffordablehousingintheCommonwealth.Later,asChiefofHousingandDirectoroftheDepartmentofNeighborhoodDevelopmentforBoston,Iworkedwithnon‐profitandfor‐profitdevelopers,andresidents,homelessadvocates,lendersandothersstakeholderstoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylow‐incomehouseholdsinBoston.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Therearemanyfactorsthatarecommoninpeopleexperiencinghomelessness:poverty;thelackofaffordablehousing;healthissues,includingsubstanceabuse.Butthetwothatareuniquetowomenare:havingahistoryofdomesticviolenceandhavingchildren.Andthesemeanthathomelesswomenhaveuniqueneeds. Permanent,stablehousingiskey.Toaddresstheissues,weneedamulti‐tieredapproach:First,services:healthcare,counseling,therapy,wellnessclasses,opportunitiestoexpressto
CandidateforMayor
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creativity‐‐allthethingspeopleneedtobegintoheal.Andstrongadvocatestohelpnavigatethebyzantinesocialservicessystems.Then,jobcounseling,careercounseling,classesandprogramstoincreaseself‐reliance,andstrongadvocatestohelplocateanapartmentandnegotiatewiththelandlord.Finally,theback‐upofrentalassistanceorotherfinancialsupportthatpeopleoftenneedtosustainastablelivingsituation.
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?IplanarenewedcommitmenttoCommunityPolicingincludingaroleforthecommunitytoincludePilotCommunityAdvisoryCommittees.GunsneedtobeaddressedasPublicSafetyofficialshavenotfoundawaytoridthecityofguns.Regardingwomenlivingonthestreets,weknowthatmanyofthemhavementalillnessorareescapingabusivehouseholds.Itwillbeimportanttobringtogetherpartners‐‐ourhealthcareinstitutions,specificallythoserelatedtomentalhealthandsubstanceabuse,ourpolice,ourcommunitybasednonprofitsincludinghomelessadvocateslikeRosie'sandothers.Furthermore,Iwillmarshaltheresourcesneededtohelpwomenandfamiliesmanagethroughthesedifficultissuesandgettheirlivesbackontrack.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?IwouldsupportreconstitutingtheLivingWageAdvisoryCouncilwithrepresentationbytheGreaterBostonLaborCouncilandaffectedcommunityorganizations.IwouldstrengthenandenforcetheBostonResidenceJobsPolicybycreatinganoversightpaneltoensurecomplianceandthepolicytowithstandlegalchallenges,and:
Figureoutwhatbarriersexistinhiringresidents. Workwithcompaniestodevelophiringgoalsand
benchmarks; Companiesthatcontinuallyunderperform,facereal
consequences. Theoversightcommitteewillworkwithbothbusinessand
communityleaderstocreateafairenforcementsystem.
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MikeRoss
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?AsMayor,Iwouldincreasetheinclusionaryzoningminimumto20%requiredon‐‐‐siteaffordablehousingbuiltintonewdevelopment.IwouldalsomoveallaffordablehousingpowersfromtheBRAtotheDepartmentofNeighborhoodDevelopmenttobringgreatertransparencytotheprocess.Iamalsoproudofmyworktoaddresschronichomelessness.Focusingonpermanenthousingsolutionstochronichomelessnesssavesmoney,yes,butitalsoprovidesthesecurefootingindividualsneedtoimprovetheirlivesandriseoutofhomelessness.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?AsalongtimememberoftheAdvisoryBoardfortheWomen’sLunchPlace,IknowthathomelesswomeninBostonfaceadoublecrisis.Thefirstisaneedforimmediatesafetyandshelter. OnestudyinMassachusettsfoundthat32percentofhomelesswomenhadbeenassaultedbytheircurrentormostrecentpartner.AsMayor,Iwouldworkhardtoexpandthenumberofavailableemergencyshelterbedsandaccesstocrisisservicesforwomen.Thesecondchallengeisforlonger‐‐‐terminterventionandpreventionservices,makingsurethatwomenandfamiliesreceivejobtraining,childcareservicesandprotectionfromviolencethat willenablethemtobeeconomicallyindependentandless vulnerableto
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homelessness. Homelessness is a symptom of critical breakdowns in our social safety net and I will work to ensure we close those gaps. Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?AspublicsafetychairforthelastthreeyearshavemadereducingviolenceinBostononeofmytoppriorities.Ihavechairedacommitteeonyouthviolenceissuesandledsuccessfuleffortsto bringstrongerregulationtothesaleofknivesinBoston.However, streetviolenceinBostonremainsunacceptablyhigh.Thereare concretestepsIwouldtakeasMayortoreduceandpreventthis violence,specificallyviolenceagainstwomen.Thefirstistocreate saferphysicalenvironmentsforwomen:betterstreet lighting, morevisiblepolicinginhighincidenceareas,andanapproachto nightlifeandBoston’ssocialscenethatconsciouslyaddresses safetyconcernsforwomen.Thesecondstepmustbetoaddressthe cultureofviolencewhetherit’sdatingviolence,bullying,orpoor conflictresolutionskills,theseareconcernsthatcanandmustbeaddressedinourschools,homesandplacesofworship.
WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovide benefits?ManyareasofBostonareexperiencingdynamicgrowth,however, wehavearesponsibilitytoensurethatwecreateopportunitiesforallourresidentsatallskilllevelsandwithwagestheydeserve.AsMayor,IwouldinvestinmakingMadisonParkHighSchoolthebesttechnicalvocationalschoolinthestate‐‐‐aplacewhereyoung Peoplecanlearnjobskillsinthetradesandotherfieldsevenbeforetheygraduate.IworkedwithCouncilorAyannaPressleytochampionreformstotheBostonResidencyJobsPolicythataddedtransparencyandincreasedworkeraccesstojobsonBostonconstructionsites.AdditionallyIamproudtohaveworkedwithdeveloperstocreatespaceforaworkforcetrainingclassroomintheLongwoodMedicalAreathattrainsincumbentworkersandnewBostoniansinjobskillsneededtoclimbtheladderintheever‐growinglifesciencesindustry.
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BillWalczak
Whatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylow‐incomehouseholdsinBoston?HousingisBostonisoneofmybiggestissuesofmycampaign.Housingisanimportantissueforsomanyreasonsespeciallyforlow‐incomeindividuals.AsMayor,IwanttoensureallwhoneedhousinginBostonhasaccesstosafe,convenientandaffordableoptionsthroughoutthecity.Iwillworkinpartnershipwithstateandfederalleaderstoleverageresourcestoenhanceourcurrentstockoflow‐incomehousingandbuildmoreunitsacrossthecity.Unitsshouldalsohaveimprovedaccesstopublictransportation,partnershipwithlocalstoprovideworkandlearningopportunities,andberequiredtobeadequatelylivable—workingappliances,doorsandwindowsthatlockandopen/closeproperly,handicapaccessibility,andenoughspaceforfamilies.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?IwouldexpandtheservicesandlocationsofferedthatassistwomeninBostonandregulatethesafetyofshelterstheseareasthatservewomenspecifically.Iwanttoexpandthenumberofplacethatprovidesafespacesforwomen‐notnecessarilyshelters‐tospendtimeoffofthestreets,whethertheyproviderecreation,education,food,oraplacetosleep.Iwouldalsoliketoconnecttheseareastobecomepipelinesthathelpthesewomanandtheirfamiliestoreestablishthemselvesandmovetowardstability.Thispipelinewouldincludeimprovedaccesstoadulteducationopportunities,jobtrainingprograms,healthservices,andaffordableandsafechildcare.
CandidateforMayor
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?IfullysupportMayorMenino’sadvocacyofguncontrollegislation,howeverfocusingsolelyonthatmissesanimportantpoint.Streetviolencestemslargelyfromhopelessness,poverty,andadverseearlychildhoodexperiences.Weneedtofocusonpreparingexpectingparentstowelcomechildrenintotheworldandwemustmakesurechildrenarepreparedtoenterschool.Byimprovingearlychildhoodeducation,wecanhelptostartcuringthediseaseofpovertythatsooftenleadstoviolenceinourcommunities.WemustalsoprovideexperientiallearningopportunitiestoBoston’s11thand12thgradersinordertopreparethemtoentertheworkforce.Ifweprovideouryouthwithhope,theywillbelessinclinedtoturntoviolenceandinturn,ourstreets,ourneighborhoods,andourcitywillbesaferandsmarter.
WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?In2000,IfoundedCodmanAcademyPublicCharterSchool,aschooldevotedtoprovidingopportunitiestounderprivilegedyouthinmycommunityandallacrossBoston.Thisgavestudentsafirst‐handlookathealthcareandprovidedopportunitiestolocalyouthwhowerethenpreparedtoenterthehealthcareindustry.Thissystemiseasilyapplicabletootherindustriesandisnotusedoftenenoughinourcityoracrossthiscountryforthatmatter.Asmayor,Iwillencouragetheexpansionofschoolsthatfocusonexperientiallearning,thatbetterpreparestudentstoentertheworkforceandearnalivingwageforacompanyprovidingbenefits.
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DavidJamesWyatt
Whatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylow‐incomehouseholdsinBoston?Ihavebeenanadvocateforrelaxingtheresidencyrequirementforcityemployees.Thispolicyshouldresultinanincreaseinaffordablehousingofhighquality.Ialsointendfordeveloperstobuildrentalhousinginsteadofpurchasehousingexclusively.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Ishallimprovepubliceducationandadulteducationsothatemploymentisthefirstoptionforwomen,asitisformen,whenitcomestoincomeandhousing.Ihavethebestcredentialsregardingeducationoftheseveralcandidates.Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Thebestanti‐crimeprogramisajobwithalivablewage.Myeducationreformsandoversightofthehiringpracticesofemployersrespectingcivilrightsshallsignificantlyreducecrime.
CandidateforMayor
27
WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?AbettereducationsystemthatsupportsahappierworkforceshallencouragebusinessestolocateinBostonandbringjobswhichshallreducethetaxburdenuponallofus.
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CharlesYancey
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Ibelievethathousingisaright,notaprivilege.IsupportprogramssuchastheHearthHouseinMattapanwhichprovidesanopportunityfortheformerlyhomelesstoachievemoreindependenceanddignity.AsMayorIwouldencouragesimilardevelopments.Iwillalsorequirethatnewhousingdevelopmenttoincludemorehighqualityaffordablehousingunits.IwillalsoworkwithorganizationssuchasHabitatforHumanity,PineStreetInn,andRosie’splacetocreateinnovativehousingstrategiestohelpeliminatehomelessness.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Iwillworkwithwomen’sadvocacyagenciesandtheBostonPublicHealthCommissiontoexpandservicestohomelesswomenandtheirchildren.
CandidateforMayor
29
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?IbelievethattheCityofBostoncaneffectivelyreducestreetviolenceandviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets.AsMayorIwillconvenestrategysessionswithwomenandtheiradvocatestofightagainstabuseandexploitationofwomeninBoston.Iwillhirehundredsofmentors,streetworkersandyouthworkerstointeractwithyoungpeopleandtheirfamiliesbeforetheybecomeentangledinthedrugtradeandotherself‐destructiveactivities.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?IwillenforceandexpandtheBostonjobsordinancetoincludethepurchaseofgoodsandservicesaswellasconstructionjobstocreategreateropportunitiesforBostonresidentstobehiredbyvendorsdoingbusinesswithourcity.IsupporttheLivableWageOrdinanceandwillworktoinsurethatbenefitsareextendedtopart‐timeemployees.
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CandidatesforCityCouncilAt‐Large
Youmayvoteforupto4candidates
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SampleBallot
CandidatesforCityCouncilAt‐LargeIntheorderinwhichtheywillappearontheballot
MartinJKeogh
AyannaSPressley
CatherineMO’Neill
FranciscoLWhite
MichaelFFlaherty
FrankJohnAddivnola
JeffreyMichaelRoss
DouglasDWohn
KeithBKenyon
StephenJMurphy
RamonSoto
JackFKellyIII
ChristopherJConroy
MichelleWu
GarethRSaunders
SeamusMWhelan
PhillipArthurFrattaroli
AltheaGarrison
AnnissaEssaibiGeorge
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ChrisConroy
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Iwouldfightensurethatresidentialdevelopmentprojectsusemixedhousingunitsateveryopportunity.Becausesingle‐parentheadedhouseholdsareanincreasingpercentageofextremelylowincomehouseholds,Iwouldpursueadualstrategywithinthesemixedhousingunitstoprovidebothqualityandquantityofresidences.IwouldpushforaSingleResidencyOccupancy/SingleFamilyOccupancy(SRO/SFO)strategytobeimplementedinallnewresidentialdevelopmentsthroughthesupportofahostofnon‐profitpartners.Single‐familyoccupancyinnewhousingunitswouldcreatemoreopportunitiesforparentsandchildrentosocializeandfeelathomeinasafeenvironment.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?MypreviousanswerreflectshowIwouldseektoexpandservicesfortheuniqueneedsofwomen.Weneedpermanent,supportivehousingthatdoesnotisolatewomen,butcreatesavirtuouscycleofskillandrelationshipbuildingbecauseintermittentjoblessness/homelessnessandabusiverelationshipsarethemajorchallengeforwomenseekingshelter.Supportivehousingisasuccessful,cost‐effectivecombinationofaffordablehousingwithservicesthathelpspeoplelivemorestable,productivelives.Thishousingmodelcanimprovehousingstabilityandreducetheuseofhighcostpublicservices,likehospitalsandjails.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
33
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?InBoston,thereisgreaterthana75%likelihoodthatawomanwhoisphysicallyabusedknowsherassailant.Iwilltaketwostepstostopviolenceonthestreetsagainstwomen.First,IwilladvocateforanincreaseinfundingtoourStreetSafeinitiativeandasktheMayor'sOfficetoincludemorewomenstreetworkers.WeshouldgearamajorportionofthisprogramtowardsoutreachforwomenandhaveStreetSafeactasaconduittowardjobtraining,shelters,andsupportivehousingunits.Second,Iwillpushtoensurethat‐‐withincreasedfunding‐‐StreetSafecontinuestodeveloptechniquestoaddressmenonthestreetwhobatterwomen.Muchofthisoutreachcanbetargetedbytheaccuratecollectionofdataandthroughrelationshipbuildingbetweenstreetworkersandmalesinthecommunitywillingtotakeapublicstancetostopviolenceagainstwomen.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Mymostrecentprofessionalexperiencewasanamazingone.Iworkedwithmanyyoungfamilies,andmanyyoungpeoplewhowerestrugglingwithhomelessnessatYearUpBostonwww.yearup.org.Ilearnedthat‐‐aspartofourcity'sfirstrealjobsplansince1985‐‐weneedtobuildrelationshipswithlargecapemployersintheBostonareawhohaveentry‐levelpositionstheyarewaitingtofillinITandFinancerelatedfieldsandthenpartnerourGEDandcommunitycollegeswiththeseemployerstoprovideinternshipsforyoungadultsandparentswithlow‐incomesinourcityseekingeducationandemployment.Ifcompanieswishtobuildnewofficeswithinthecitylimits,theCityshouldnegotiatethatacertainnumberofjobsinthoseofficesbeconvertedintoemployerfundedinternshipsforthoseyoungadults,whiletheyreceivetechnicaltraining.ItcancreateavirtuouscycleofemploymentforBoston'syoungpeopleandanewpipelineofreliabletalentforBoston‐areaemployers.
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MichaelFlaherty
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?TheCityofBoston'sInclusionaryDevelopmentformulacurrentlyrequiresdevelopersofprojectswithtenormoreunitsofhousingthatrequirezoningrelieftomake15%ofthoseunitsaffordabletohouseholdsearningtypically100%ofthemedianincomeintheGreaterBostonMetropolitanStatisticalArea.TheproblemisthattheBostonareahasarelativelyhighaveragehouseholdincomeandmanyfamilieswithlowerincomesarebeingleftbehind.Weshouldre‐examinethecurrentformulawithaneyetorequiringunitsaffordabletolower‐incomehouseholds,andincreasetheaffordablerequirementabove15%.Zoningreliefisaprivilege,afterall,andnotaright.Housingisaright.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Womenexperiencinghomelessnessoftenfacemorechallengesthanlackofpermanentshelter.Ourcitymustdoabetterjobrespondingtotheunderlyingcausesofhomelessnessinwomen,includingmentalillness,domesticviolenceandsubstanceabuse.Onlybyhelpingwomenovercomethechallengesthatinhibitthemfromovercomingpovertycanwehelpwomentohelpthemselves.Ihavelongadvocatedformoreandbettergovernment‐fundedhealthservicesinBoston,particularlyamoreseriousanddedicatedapproachtoprovidingtreatmentondemandtomen,womenandchildrentrappedinthecycleofsubstanceabuse.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
35
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?AsaformerSuffolkCountyprosecutor,Imaintainwecan’thopetosimplyarrestourwayoutofthecity’sscourgeofstreetviolence,mostofwhichisrootedinourcity'ssubstanceabuseepidemic.IhaveadvocatedforyearsformoreandbetterdrugtreatmentoptionsforthosecaughtinthecycleofdependenceanddespairwhichfuelsmostofBoston’sstreetviolence.ArecentreportreleasedbyMassIncandCommunityResourcesforJusticecastsseriousdoubtonthewisdomofdivertingscarcestateresourcestolongincarcerationsfornon‐violentoffendersandawayfromprogramsandtreatmentresourcesthatofferrehabilitationandaddresstherootcausesofcrimeandviolence.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?ThegreensectorrepresentsamajoropportunitytohelppropelBostonforwardeconomicallyandtoprovidejobopportunitiesforourresidents,especiallythosewhohavehistoricallyfacedbarrierstogoodjobs,suchasunderskilledworkers,thosewhodidn'tfinishschool,ESLresidents,singlemoms,at‐riskyouth,andindividualswhowereformerlyincarcerated.Thesuccessofthecity’sabilitytogrowitsgreensectorandachievesuch“greenrecovery”iscontingentuponwhetherwehaveaproperlytrainedworkforce,whichiswhyIhavecalledforestablishingcity‐sponsoredtrainingopportunitiesformarginalizedpopulations,includingaGreenJobsCorps.BostonshouldbeadestinationcityforcompaniesspecializinginsolarandwindpowerandrelatedR&Dactivities.WeneedarevolutioninourmunicipalsolarprogramandshouldbeexpandingpartnershipswiththeprivatesectorandcapitalizingonthebenefitsofbeingdesignatedaU.S.solarcity.
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AltheaGarrison
Whatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylow‐incomehouseholdsinBoston?AsyourAt‐Large‐City‐CouncillorIwouldbeanadvocateandfightforlowincomehousingforextremelylowincomefamiliesandbeastrongsupporterfornonprofitslikeRosie’sPlacewhoadvocatesforaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston.Also,IwouldbeinfavorofCitygrantstoplaceslikeRosie’sPlace,whichwilladdresstheproblemofrealaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholds.Ialsothinkthatpressureshouldbeappliedonbankstostopforeclosingonlowandmoderateincomefamilies,whenmanyofthesefamiliesweretrickedintoaskingoutloansontheirmortgagewhentheycouldn’taffordit.Banksandloaninginstitutionshavemadethehomelessnessproblemworse.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?AsyourAt‐Large‐City‐CouncillorIwouldbeastrongadvocatefortheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessbyproposinguniquelegislationontheCouncillortoaddressthehomelessnessproblem.Also,IbelievetheCityofBostoncouldbeabetteradvocateforhomelesswomen.OntheCityCouncillorIwillmakeaconcertedefforttoaddresstheseproblemsthathavenotbeenaddressedfordecades.ItistimetobringsomerealchangestotheBostonCityCouncillorandholdtheserubberstampingCouncillorsaccountabletoyoutheVoters.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐largeCandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
37
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?FirstletmestatethatIbelievetheonlywaystreetviolenceisgoingtobeaddressedistogobacktorealfootpatrols,thatisaWalkingBeatPolicemen,theoldfashionway.Youcan’tdependuponthestatisticsofcrimebeingreportedbecausethegovernmentcontrolsthemediareports,andthemediahastoreportwhatthegovernmenttellsthemtoreport.Myplantoreducestreetviolenceandcrimecallsforbringingbackthewalkingbeatpolicementheoldfashionwaybecausethatiswhatdeterscrime.Visiblewalkingbeatpolicemenalwaysdetercrimeandthestreetsaremadesaferforeveryone,includingviolencetowardwomenlivingonthestreets.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?AsanAt‐Large‐Boston‐City‐CouncillorIwouldusethepowerofmyofficetorecruitemployerstoBoston.IbelieveBostonisanattractiveareaforallkindsofbusinesses,butweneedemployersthatarewillingtoinvestinBoston’sEconomyandarewillingtotreatitsemployeeshumanely,payingtheiremployeesadecentsalarywithbenefits.InreturntheCityofBostonshouldoffertothesebusinessestaxincentives.However,anytaxincentivestheCityofBostongivestoemployers,thecityshouldbeabletoverifythecommitmentthatwasmadewaskept.Also,theCityofBostoncouldofferemployersa121‐Ataxbreak.ThatisanotherincentivetheCityofBostoncouldofferemployerstorelocateintohighunemploymentareasaswellaslocateinminorityareas.Atthepresenttimeweareinaneconomicslowdown,soanykindofincentivethatthecitycouldofferemployerstorelocatetoBostonwouldbeawelcomeforpeoplewhoarelookingforwork.
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CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
AnnissaEssaibiGeorge
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?TheCityofBostonneedstoconductacompleteassessmentofthehousinginventoryincludingthedataofallfactorsincludingprice,size,andlocation.AsaCityweshouldcontinuedevelopingpartnershipsthatconnectfor‐profitandnon‐profitagenciestocreatethequalityandvolumeneededforthelowestincomehouseholds.WealsoneedtoensurethatwecontinuecapturingincreasingamountsofStateandFederalfundsavailablefordevelopmentoflowincomehousinginlargescaleaswellassmallscaleprojects.IsupportcurrentrequirementsofdevelopersonaffordableunitpercentagesandwouldmovetosupportmoreunitsandincreasedfundingtotheBostonHousingTrustbyprivatedevelopers.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?WehaveveryfeworganizationsinBostonthatsupportwomenspecificallyandIwillworktoensuretheyreceivefinancialandorganizationalsupportasnecessarytofulfilltheirwonderfulmissions.Similartohousing,Iwouldcreateaninventoryofallservicesavailable,thenmaketheseaccessibleforthoseinmostneedandencouragecollaborationamongstgroupsservicinghomelesswomeninBoston.AsaCityCouncilorIwouldalsoencouragetheBostonPublicHealthCommissiontodomorespecificallyforwomenandchildrenbecauseofthedirectcorrelationbetweenwomen,homelessnessandsignificanthealthissues.
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Womenlivingonthestreetsareatthehighestriskforviolenceandadditionalvictimizationespeciallywithviolentphysicalandsexualabuse.AsaCityCouncilorIwouldmovetocreateaEmergencyResponseTeamdirectedtoassistthesewomen(whooftenhavechildreninneedofservices)infininghousing,healthcareandeducation.Weneedtomakeourservicesavailable,obviousandaccessible.Ialsobelieveweneedtobemorecreativeinconnectingwomenwitheducationalservices.Independencecomesfromeconomicstability.Economicstabilitycomesfromgoodjobs.Goodjobscomefromtrainingandeducation.Weneedtomakesureourmostatriskgettheeducationalresourcesneededtoescapethebindsofpoverty.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Asecurejobeconomyisalignedwiththesmallbusinessesofourneighborhoods.Asasmallbusinessownermyself,Ifeelthereisaneedtocreateaholisticapproachtoneighborhoodandbusinessdevelopment,whichincludeshighlightingjobsandresourcesforallskilllevels.Ibelieveinpayingalivingwageandwouldusemylegislativepowertomaintainandsupportsuchinitiatives.AsasmallbusinessownerIprovidejobsforlocalresident,mostlywomen.Ibelievethatdevelopingopportunities,connectingwomentrainedtoworkinskilledjobsandeducationwoulddomuchtoovercomemanybarrierswomenfaceinourCity.
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JackKelly
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Iamanadvocateforpeoplewhoareenteringtryingtimesinlife.Myownpersonallifehasexperiencedsuchastruggle.Somyguidingprincipleinissuessuchashousingforlowincomepeopleispersonal.Currently,thecityhasanaffordablehousingoptionformiddleincomepeople.Iwouldlooktolowertheincomethreshold,solowerincomepeoplecouldattainsuchhousingoptions.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?IwouldworkwiththenewMayortodemandmoreservicesbedirectedfromtheBostonpublichealthcommissiontoprogramsthatdirectlydealwiththehomelesspopulationasitpertainstowoman.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
41
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Passandadvocatefortougherguncontrolmeasuresanddemandmorefundingforwoman'sprogramsdealingwithdomesticabuseandposttraumaticstressfromviolence.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Iwoulddemandanyeducationreformbudgetfundandprovideadditionalattentiontovocationaltrainingschoolsandprograms.Specifically,Iwouldpushforthesevocationalschoolstobeplacedinneighborhoodswherethedropoutandcrimerateismosturgent.
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KeithKenyon
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?IwillbeanadvocateforaffordablehousingforthelowandmiddleclassinBostonandtheincreaseoffundingforthoseprograms.However,wecannotrelyonincreasedfunding,weneedtodomoreandweneedtofindinnovativewaystoincreasequalityandquantity.Asarealestateattorney,IwishtobuilduponandexpandtheideaofTheBostonHousingTrustasanorganizationthatcanprovidebothrentalandpurchaseassistancetothosewhoareinneedandcannotcomeupwiththehighcostofrentoradownpaymenttopurchaseahouseinBoston.WemustaskthebanksandfinancialinstitutionsthrivinginBostontoassistthecommunitywithsuchaprogram.Wealsoneedtoadvocateformorecommunityintegrationamongincomelevels.Lowincomehouseholdsshouldbewelcomedtoliveindiversecommunitiesandbecomecommunitymembersinareaswheretheirvalueinthecommunityisnotmeasuredbytheirwealthbutbytheirinvolvementinthecommunity.WiththeincreasingdevelopmentofresidentialandcommercialpropertyinBoston,wemustdemandmoreaffordablehousingoptionsfromthedevelopersatthosespecificsitesandelsewhere.Buildingaffordablehousingorcreatingcommunityservicesmustbeaprerequisitetoanyrequestformajornew
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
43
WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Iwanttotalktohomelesswomenandprogramdirectorsandseewhatworksandwhatdoesnotwork.Ifmoredropinsheltersareneededthenweshouldadvocateforsuch.Ifmoreprogramsareneededtohelpgetoffstreetsthenweshouldpushforfundingforthoseprogramsthatareproventowork.Iamstrongbelieverinlisteningtothehomelesswomenandfamiliesandthepeoplewhoworktohelpthemonadailybasis.Iwillbetheirvoice.Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Weneedtodoeverythingwecantogetwomenoffthestreetsintohomesandcommunitiestheywishtoliveinandbeapartof.Butwealsoneedmorepoliceonthestreets,walkingthebeatandbeingapartofthecommunity.Thepoliceandthecommunityneedtofocusonpreventingviolentcrimetowardswomenthrougheducationandoutreach.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?WemustinsistthatanyresidentialorcommercialexpansioninthecityincludenewjobsforBoston,bothinthedevelopmentandconstructionsphasesoftheprojectandafterithasbeencompleted.InadditionIwouldliketoseeapushformoreindustrialleveljobsandcompaniesthatwillbringpermanentjobs.IamproudtosayIwasanelevenyearmemberoftheBostonPrintingandPressman’sUnionLocalNo.3(GraphicCommunicationsInternational/Teamsters).Iknowtheimportanceoflivingwageandbenefitsandwillzealouslyadvocateforsafeworkplacesandfairwageswithbenefits.
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MartinKeogh
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?
Iwanttohelpfacilitatethebuildingofmoreaffordableunitsforlowincomefamilies.Thismaybedonethroughlinkagefundsthataredirectedtowardbuildingmoreunits,orbyrequiringlargedevelopmentprojectstosetasideaguaranteedamountofunitsforlowincome.Iwouldalsoliketorequireourlendinginstitutionstosetasideafundedloanpoolthatwillbeexpresslyloanedtofamilieswhomaynototherwisequalifyforhomeloans.
WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?
Iwouldadvocateformorefunding,bothprivateandpublic,tobeearmarkedforidentifyingandhelpingwomenandfamiliesinneed.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
45
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Iamastrongadvocateforhiringmorepolice,directingpoliceofficersandresourcesinareasofhighviolence,andinstallingsurveillancecamerasinareasifneedinanefforttoreduceandeliminatecrimealtogether.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?IaminfavorofsmartandresponsibledevelopmentinBostoninwhichcompanieswishingtolocateandbuildherewouldberequiredtohireBostonresidents,womenandpersonsofcolorasaconditionofapproval.IaminfavoroflocatingacasinoinEastBoston,allowingEastBostonthelastword,becauseitwillcreatemorejobs,revenueandhelpBoston’soveralleconomy.Iaminfavorofidentifyingeverycityownedparceloflandinthecity,anddesignatingitforthebestuseoftheareaitislocatedin,withtheemphasisoncreatingmoreaffordablehousingandschools.IaminfavorofbuildingmoreschoolsinBostonbecausebuildingmoreschoolsmeansmorestudents,families,jobsandcommunityspirit.Ifwecandevelopresponsibly,therewillbeplentyofjobs,atalllevels,moreresidentsandmorerevenuetohelpthecityprovidethebasicservicesthatthecityofBostondeserves.
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StephenMurphyWhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?InJanuary,IwaselectedPresidentoftheCityCouncilforathirdterm.Myinauguraladdressfocusedonthreeissues:guncontrol,abalancedbudget,andaffordablehousingforBostonresidents.IspecificallycitedthedevelopmentoftheFairmount‐IndigoCommuterRailandthedevelopmentofaffordablehousingalongpublictransitlines.Ibelieveextremelylow‐incomehouseholdsshouldhavetheopportunitytoliveinthesekindsofdevelopment.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Ibelievemaintainingorexpandingourcommunityserviceswilladdresssomeoftheneedsofhomelesswomen.Onewaytodothisistocreateaspecificwomen'sjobtrainingprogramthatcanbeappliedtoallthesheltersacrossthecityandbeadoptedbysomeofthecommunitycenters.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
47
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolenceincludingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?IhavelongadvocatedformoreBostonPoliceDepartingwalkingpatrolsinourneighborhoods.ThepositiveoutcomesthatarecreatedbythepresenceandinteractionofBostonPoliceofficersiswelldocumented.Neighborhoodsseeadecreaseincrimeandanincreaseincommunityinvolvement.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Isupportbusinessesthatpaytheiremployeesafairwageandencouragethemtoinvestinthecompanybyprovidingbenefitsandhelpingemployeestodeveloptheiruniqueskillssets.IcannotdeterminewhatbusinessesapplyandaregrantedbusinesslicensesinintheCity(thatisthepurviewoftheLicensingBoard),butIcanencouragethemtotreattheiremployeesfairly.
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CatherineO’Neill
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?RecentlyIadministeredagrantforthefederalgovernmenttopreventhomelessnessatKitClarkSeniorCenterinDorchesterandunfortunatelyIamalltooawareoftheneedswehaveinourcityformoreSection8vouchers,PrivateAffordableHousing,PublicHousing,MRVPandAHVPandasaBostonCityCouncilorIwouldworktoincreaseallofourprogramsthatofferextremelylowincomehouseholdsachanceatdecentsafeaffordablehousing.ItisagreattimetoliveinBoston,butnotforeveryone,weareleavingourextremelylowincomefamiliesbehind.Westabilizeextremelylowincomefamiliesbygivingthemjobs,trainingthemandteachingtheskillstheyneedtoobtainajobandkeepit.
WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?AsImentionedpreviouslyIadministeredagrantforthefederalgovernmenttopreventhomelessnessatKitClarkSeniorCenterinDorchesterandmostofmyclientswerewomen.Bythetimetheycametomydesk,theyhadbeenrobbedoftheirdignitybyasystemthatseemedtoinsist;inordertohelp,theyfirsthadtohumiliate.Ibecameanadvocateforeachwoman,andIwouldattemptasaBostonCityCouncilorfirstandforemosttodothesame,andtocreateasafeplaceandajudgmentfreezonetoadministertheneededcounseling,healthservicesjobtrainingtogivethemasecondchanceandsupportthemuntiltheycanstandontheirown.IactuallywouldadvocatethattheRosie’sPlace
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
49
HomelessnessPreventionProgrambeimplementedcitywide.Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Mostwomenarehomelessasadirectresultofdomesticabuse.TherecentviolentattacksonwomeninSouthBostononlyunderscorethedepthofviolenceagainstwomeninoursocietyandwemustdoallwecancollectivelytocombatit.AsaBostonCityCouncilorIwouldworktoensureProjectSafeandotherprogramscontinuetoteachwomenlivinginthestreetstheskillstheyneedtodefendthemselves.I’dalsoworktirelesslytogetthemoffthestreetsandassistthemtosecurehousing.AsaBostonCityCouncilorIwouldworkwithourpublicsafetyofficialstostrengthenourexistingprogramsandcreatenewinnovatedwaystocombatstreetviolenceandviolenceagainsthomelesswomenandwomenlivinginshelters.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?EachconstructionprojectintheCityofBostonmustadheretotheBostonJobspolicy.Wemusttrainandeducateouryouthtobereadyfortoday’sworkforce.Wealsomustofferadulteducationinourschoolbuildingsthatdothesame.Iwouldbuildacoalitionwithourlaborunionstooffertrainingandapprenticeshipprogramstoourlowincomeresidences.BeforeoneshovelgoesintothegroundonanydevelopmentinBostonwemusthaveanagreementwiththedeveloperthatthejobsforBostonresidenceswillbegoodjobs,thatofferbenefitsandareconsideredfulltimeemploymentwithretirementbenefitsandhealthinsurance.
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AyannaPressley
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Havingbeenraisedbymysinglemotherwhostruggledtomakeendsmeet,Iknowwhatit’sliketofacethethreatofeviction,andIunderstandtheimportanceofaffordablehousing.Safe,healthy,andstablehousingisanessentialfoundationforstrongfamilies.AsaCityCouncilor,myworkfocusesonbreakingcyclesofpovertyandviolence.Thismission,alongwithmyfirmbeliefthatfamiliesneedaffordablehousingtothrive,hasledmetoadvocateforaffordablehousinginJP,theFenway,SouthBostonandotherneighborhoodsaroundthecity.IfoughtfortheMcInnesHouseinJPtoprovidehousingforchronicallyhomelessindividuals,andIhavepushedtheBRAtosupportmixed‐incomeresidentialdevelopments.Ibelievewecandomoretorequiredeveloperstoincreasethenumberofaffordablehousingunitsinnewdevelopments,andtosupportthedevelopmentofaffordablehousingprojectsaroundthecity. WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Itisessentialwefindawaytoprovideservicesthatwillhelpthemgetbackontheirfeetandintostablehousingandsteadyemployment.InthepastyearIcalledforahearingonPocketChangeforRealChange,aprogramthatwouldrepurposeoldcoin‐operatedparkingmeterstocollectpublicdonationsanddirectthemtowardhomelessnesspreventionservices.Additionally,Ihavecontinuedtopushforgreateropportunitiesforwomeninthetrades,includingfire,policeandbuildingtrades.Increasingthe
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numberofwomeninleadershiprolesingovernmentandtheprivatesectorwillincreasetheamountofadvocacyandsupportprovidedtowomenexperiencinghomelessness.Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Asasurvivorofchildhoodsexualabuseandsexualassaultasanadult,Isharemystoryofhealingopenlysothatotherswhohavebeenvictimscanfeelempowered.Manywomensharesimilarstorieswithme,andI’mheartenedbytheircouragebutdisturbedbythenumberofwomeninourcommunitywhohavebeenthevictimofviolence.ThatiswhymyfirstactasBostonCityCouncilorwastoformtheCouncil’slegislativeCommitteeonWomenandHealthyCommunities,whichisdevotedtobreakingcyclesofpovertyandaddressingissuesthatdisproportionatelyaffectwomenandgirls.Thisyear,IpartneredwiththeBPD,BARCC,CasaMyrnaandGirlsLEAPtoholdmyfirstannualRaiseYourVoice,DayofEmpowermentforGirlsandWomen.Over100girlsandwomenofallages,fromallwalksoflifeattendedforapowerfuldayofhealingandskills‐building.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Thefirststeptowardsbuildingathrivingmiddleclassisprovidingeconomicopportunityforlowincomeresidents.Ihavefoughttoensurethatallourresidentshaveequalaccesstoemploymentopportunities.ThefirstordinanceIenactedrevisedtheBostonResidentJobsPolicy(BRJP)toensurethatconstructioncompanieshireadiversemixofworkersforprojects,includingwomenandpeopleofcolor.Thatordinanceputhiringinformationonline,increasingtransparencyinhiringpracticesandallowingresidents,advocates,andgovernmentofficialsgreaterleveragetopushformoreemploymentreforms.IcurrentlyleadaBRJPworkinggroupthatbringstogetherresidents,advocatesandgovernmentofficialstopushformorecomprehensivereformsinemploymentpolicy.IleadtheCouncil’seffortstoraciallydiversifyourpoliceandfireworkforce.Finally,IampushingforgreaterfundingforadultedandESOLclassessofolkscanbuildtheskillstheyneedtogetjobs.
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JeffRoss
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Ibelieveininvestingintransitionhousingforextremelylow‐incomehouseholdsinBoston,andIstronglysupportbuildingmoresafe,accessibleaffordablehousingacrossthecityforlowandextremelylowincomeBostonians.AsaCityCouncilor,Iwilladvocateformorehousingoptionsandhaveanopendoorpolicytoworkwithadvocateswhohaveinnovativeideasforsolutionstothisimportantissue.WeneedhousingthatsupportsfamiliesandallowsforBPSstudentswholiveinlow‐incomefamiliestosucceedandhavetheopportunitytoexceldespitedifficultfamilysituations.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Ihavespentmycareerasanadvocateforvictimsofdomesticviolence,especiallyinimmigrantcommunitiesacrossBostonandMassachusetts.Inmyrolerepresentingwomenasanattorney,Ihaveactuallyseentheseuniqueissuesfromthefrontlines,andhaveworkedtofindwomenshorttermhousingandadvocatedfortheresourcestheyneed.Asacitycouncilor,Iwillbringtheseexperiencesandmyexpertiseinthisareatothejob,andworkhardtosimplifyreferralservicesandstreamlineanyprocessesthatserveasobstructionstofindingwomentheshorttermandlongtermhousingtheyneed.Iwillalsoworkhardtoraisetheprofileofhomelessnessissuesastheyimpactwomenandfamiliesacrossthecity.
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Ibelieveininvestingsubstantialcityresourcesinsummerjobsprogramsandmakingsurethatwomenhaveequalopportunitiesasmentoobtainthesejobs.Ialsobelieveincommunitypolicing,andhavingaresponsivepolicepresencewhenissuesofdomesticviolenceorviolenceagainstwomencomeup.Ialsoamanadvocateforculturallycompetenteducationandresourcesthatmustbemadeavailableacrossthecitybothtopreventviolenceandtocurbit.Asabilingualimmigrationattorney,Ibelievethateducationisavitalpartofthisprocessandthatwehavetoengagepeopleonthestreetsabouthowtoraiseawarenessofthisviolenceandincreasethereportingofviolence.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?EverywhereIgoasacandidateforBostonCityCouncil,Italkaboutmybelievethatthecitymustdirectlyinvestinsmallbusinessdevelopmentandgrowth,withanemphasisonempoweringandcultivatingmoreminorityandwomenownedbusinessescity‐wide.Iwilladvocateforandhelpfacilitatetheaccessibilityoflowinterestloanssothatthecitycanincubatebusinesseswherealltalentsandabilitieshaveopportunities.Isupportlocalhiringinitiatives,andbelievethatworkwithinBostonshouldgotoBostonresidentsasmuchaspossible.AsaCityCouncilor,Iwillbeanadvocateforstrongandqualityjobs,andwillnotshyawayfromaskingtoughquestionsaboutthehiringandqualityofjobsthatpotentialemployersarebringingtoanddevelopingwithinthecity.
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GarethSaunders
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?IwillsponsorlegislationthatisfavorableforthedevelopmentofaffordableandmoderatelypricedhomesinBoston.Thereisagreatneedfornewhousingforhomelessfamiliesandindividuals,elderly,andveterans.IwillmeetwithournewmayorandcitycouncilorstomakethisakeyagendaitemforBoston.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Iwillspeakwithwomenwhoarehomelessandtheiradvocatestogetabetterunderstandingofthisissue.Onceempoweredbythisinformation,Iwilllooktousepolicy,legislation,andbudgettoolstoaddresstheseseriouschallenges.
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Iwouldconveneameetingwithournewmayor,policecommissioner,andSuffolkCountyDistrictAttorneytotacklenewstrategiestofightsenselessviolenceinBoston.Thesestrategieswillinclude:usingstateofthearttechnology;improvingcommunityandpolicerelations;professionaldevelopmentforpolice;andfaircompensationforpublicsafetypersonnel.Iwouldlooktoaddressthisprobleminthreeways:prevention,enforcement,andrestoration.Preventiondealswithmoreafter‐schoolprograms,anti‐violenceeducationandpublicrelationscampaignstolessenandstopyouth,domesticviolence,sexual‐assaults,andhatecrimes.Preventionincludesactionsthatdetercrimelike,morepolicevisibilityonfoot,bicyclesandscooters/motorcycles.Wealsomustmakeithardertohidecrimesbyincreasingstreetlightingandhavingmoresurveillancecameraswhilestillrespectingconstitutionalrights.Andrestorationinvolvesrehabilitationprogramsinprison,re‐entryprograms,traumatreatment(asaresultofencounterwithviolence),andeducationandjob‐trainingprograms.
WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Iwouldtakeacomprehensiveapproach.Iwouldworkwiththemayortoimprovebasiccityservicesandpolicepresenceinourlocalneighborhoodshoppingdistricts.Iwouldlooktocreateanenvironmentthatwillfosterbusinessexpansion,newgrowth,andrecruitment.Theremustalsobealong‐termplantoimprovethequalityofourpubliceducationsystemsthatproperlypreparesstudentsforcollegeandtheworkforce.Businessestendtorelocateincitieswheretheycanfindaneducatedandwelltrainedworkforce.
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RamonSoto
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?IwillworkwiththeCityofBoston,banksandcreditunions,andorganizationslikeNACAtopromoteexistingprogramsandcreatenewinitiativesforlowincomeresidentsofBoston.Forexample,ashareofthefeescollectedbytheCityinnewhousingdevelopmentshouldbesegregatedinaprotectedfundtoassistpotentiallow‐incomehomeowners,whoqualifythroughavettingprocessfocusedonlong‐termsustainability,withapartialdownpaymentorguaranteedfundingtosupplementtheinsuranceontheirmortgage.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Iwillworkwithourcurrentproviderstoidentifythegapsinservicesforthisparticularcommunity,andcollaboratewithexistingandnewpartnerstobridgethesegapsandcreateavenuesforexpandedservicesthatkeeptheseresidentsinourcity,closertotheresourcestheyneed.
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Thereareavarietyoffactorsthatleadtostreetviolence,includingdrugs,gunsandgangs.Regardingdrugsandgangs,weneedanequalamountoffocusonthehigh‐riskpopulationandtheimpactplayersalreadyonourstreets.Weneedmorestreetworkersfortheimpactplayers,andmorepreventativeprogramsandsummerjobsforourhighriskyouth. Inaddition,Ihaveworkedonanewinitiative,calledtheGirlsCampaign,toimprovetheself‐esteemofouryoungwomen,aswellasimprovetheirpersonificationinsociety.Whengirlsrespectthemselvesandtheirpeers,andthecommunityrespectstheroleofyoungwomeninourcommunities,wewillgreatlyreducetheamountofviolencetowardswomen. Regardingguns,weneedtoknowwheretheyarecomingfrom,howtostopthemfromgettingonourstreets,andthencombatthesensationalismofthegunculturebyeducatingouryouth.
WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?AsCityCouncilorAt‐Large,Iwillusethemoralandpoliticalauthorityofmyofficetoadvocatestronglyonbehalfofourresidentsforincreasedjobtraining,ESLclassesandfairwagesandbenefitsbyanynewlarge‐scalebusinessthatisconsideringamovetoBoston,includingonthejob‐trainingandotherresourcesforthesurroundingcommunityasaprecondition.
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SeamusWhelan
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?ThefirstthingistoeliminatetheBostonRedevelopmentAuthoritywhichworksfordevelopers'profitsandreplaceitwithacityplanningboardthatisaccountabletothecitycouncilandthecitizens.Alsointheimmediateterm,Iwillproposeaceilingonrents,andworkwithCityLife/VidaUrbantofightallforeclosuresandevictions,whileproposinganendtoenforcingtheseinBoston.Lastly,Iwillproposetotaxthesuperrichandbigcorporationstopayforanincreaseinqualitypublichousing.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?IworkasanurseatCambridgeHospitalwhereIwaspartofanefforttopreventadownsizingofthementalhealthward.Iamcampaigningforsingle‐payerhealthcare,andforthesafe‐staffinginitiative.Weneedmoreresourcesdevotedtomentalhealth:publichospitals,half‐wayhomes,residentialprograms,etc.Inaddition,batteredwomen'ssheltersshouldbefullyfundedandaccessibleforallthoseinneed.Bostonneedsmorehighqualitypublichousingtohouseallhomelesspeople.Lastly,Ifullysupportwomen'srighttochoose.
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Iwillproposeajobsprogramtobuildmorequalitypublichousing,andprovidemorejobsatalivingwage.Povertyistherootcauseofstreetviolence,morepolicecan'tfixpoverty.Weneedmorejobsandhighqualityaffordablehousing.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Icallfora$15/hourminimumwageandhaveactivelybeenorganizingstandoutsforthisaroundthecity.Mycampaignstandstohelpworkingpeopleorganizeunionssothatworkingpeoplecanfightforatruelivingwagewithbenefits.Icallforamassivejobsprogramtofixinfrastructure,hiremoreteachers,keeplibrariesopenlonger,expandMBTAservice.Howtodothis?Taxthebigcorporationsandtheprivateuniversities.
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FranciscoWhite
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?WhatI'veobservedandpersonallyexperiencedislowincomehouseholdsbeingpricedout,andplannedout,ofcommunitiesthroughoutourcity.ItismybeliefthatthisisduetoalackofdemocracyandaccountabilitywithBostonRedevelopmentAuthority.Wehavetoreplacethisappointedagencythathasabsorbedallplanningpowerandoperatessolelyinthebestinterestsofbusiness.Iproposetransitioningtoaplanningboardthatreportsdirectlytothecouncil;it'swhatweseeinothercitiesacrosstheCommonwealthandnation.Wemustalsoallowinputfromneighborhoodassociations,whenitcomestoplanninganddevelopment.Iadvocateforonethirdofallnewunitstobetrulyaffordable;thisisonewaytokeepfamiliesandrecentgraduatesinourcity.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Assomeonewhoovercamehomelessness,Iunderstandtheneedforanycitytohavearelationshipandmaintainopencommunicationwithagenciesthatprovidenecessaryservicestoitshomelesscommunity.Thecityshouldhavealiaisonthatworkscloselywithsuchagenciesandorganizationstoassesswherefundingshouldbeallocatedandwhatservicesrequireexpansion.ThisisapositionI'mwillingtoacceptpersonally.
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Streetviolenceandotherurbansocialillsaretheresultofalackofopportunityinmarginalizedcommunities.Ifwecommitfullytoprovidingyouthjobs,memberships,internships,andtraining,Ihavenodoubtthatwe'llbesuccessfulinnotonlyreducingviolencebutempoweringhighriskyouthtorisetotheirpotential.IalsosupportBPDofficersonfootincommunitieswhereviolenceisprevalent.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?WecanstartbyconsistentlyadheringtoandtrainingforourBostonResidentsJobPolicy.Mycross‐sectoralapproachtourbanprogressincludesstrengtheningCityHall'srelationshipswithemployersandnon‐profitswillingtotrainandrecruitBostonianswhowanttodobetter.Inadditiontoplacingpeopleinstablepositions,wehavetoimplementalivingwageordinance.
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DouglasWohn
{nophotoavailable}
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Justacoupleofdaysago,IjoinedtheBostonCommunityMarchoverthefoursites(InkBlock,Parcel24,21EdinboroSt.,and25HarrisonAv.),wherelowincomehouseholdswantedtoRemain,ReclaimandRebuild.Notonlytheyneedtobeprotectedbutalsoweneedtoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingwithgovernmentintervention.AsthemoreequalpartnerwiththenewMayornextyear,Iwilllookinto1)thecurrentstatusoftheaffordablehousingfortheextremelylowincomehouseholds,2)theoperationandperformanceofBostonNeighborhoodHousingFundsince1983forbettermanagement;and3)themoreintegrationwiththeSmartGrowthandTransitOrientedDevelopmenttotrulyincreasethequalityandquantityoftheiraffordablehousing.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Lastwinternight,IwasoutfortheannualBostonhomelessnesssurvey,metandheardtheirstories.Manywomentheirhomelessnessexperiencedviolence,divorce,andunemployment,andarewiththeirchildren.Theyneedcounseling,education,jobtrainingandothersupporttobeabletostandupontheirowntobeabletocomebackandjointhemainstreamsociety.Ihavehadbuildingpermittingexperiencesforwomenshelterswiththeirchildren.Iwillsurveyandvisitthesefacilitiestolookforbetterimprovement,moreexpansionsandtheirnecessaryfunds.
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Violenceagainstwomenhasbeendescribedas"perhapsthemostpervasiveviolationofhumanrightsacrosstheglobe".CommunityandNeighborhoodpolicinghelpreducestreetviolencetoprotectwomenlivingonthestreets,butweneedmorethanthat.Theyaresoparticularlyvulnerabletophysical,sexualandotherkindsviolencethattheywarrantouroutreachinghelp.Homeless‐lessispossible,andtheendofviolenceagainstwomenandgirlsispossible.Mycampaign(Wohnfor1Boston,WohnforEvery1)standsonEPlatforms:Amongothers,EasbetterEconomyforEvery1,especiallywomenandgirls;andEashealthierEquality+EquityforEvery1,especiallyforwomenandgirls.IwillembarkaCouncilCommitteeonHomelessWomen+Girlsasthesurveyimpliestheincreaseofhomelessnessduetothegreatrecessioninthepastyears.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Weareasgoodasourneighborsandviceversa.Bostonhassomanygreatandeminentinstitutesinhighereducation,technology,medicalandpublichealth,andtheirresearch+development.Theyareandshouldbeasgoodastheirneighboringallies,us.TheyhaveconsistentlyexpandedtheirsectorsinBostonsothatweshouldhaveajob‐linkageprogramthataccommodateavarietyskilllevels,payalivingandprevailingwagesandprovideuswithmorethanminimumbenefits.IwillcreateaCouncilSubCommitteeforthispurposeandtoreviewandimprovethecurrentPayInLieuofTaxes(PILOT)tothisend:education,jobtrainingandpromotingemploymentforBostonians.
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MichelleWu
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Weneedtoprotect,maintain,andimproveexistingaffordablehousingstockinthecity,bringingallunitsuptocodeandtosatisfyenvironmentalandhealthstandardswithanactiveandresponsiveinspectionalservicesdepartment.IwillalsoadvocateforaffordablehousingresourcesandtaxcreditfinancingfromtheStatetolaunchconstructionandrenovationofnewaffordablehousing,withaparticularfocuson3‐and4‐bedroomunitstohousefamilies.City‐ownedlandshouldalsobemadeavailableforcommunitydevelopmentcorporationsandotherpartiestodevelopaffordablehousing–Bostonshouldcreatearegistryofavailablecity‐ownedlandthatwouldstreamlinethedevelopmentprocessandmatchthoseinterestedinbuildingaffordablehousingwithoptionsforparcelsofdifferentsizesandlocations.
WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?IwouldsupportorganizationslikeRosie’sPlace,whichhasledthewayinservingwomeninBoston.Iwouldalsoadvocateforattentionandresourcestomentalhealthandfamilyservicestobeavailableatcommunityhealthcenters,communitycenters,andschools.Weshouldmakebetteruseoftechnologytostreamlineinformationonavailablebedsandsupportorganizations,sothatwomeninneedofsheltercanfinditquicklyandcomfortable.Finally,Iwouldadvocateforjobtrainingtohelpwomenreenter
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Ibelievethebestwaytoimprovepublicsafetyandreducestreetviolenceistomakejobsandeconomicopportunityavailableinourneighborhoods.Byconnectingresidentstojobtrainingandjobs,wecanmakeiteasiertohaveastableeconomicsituation.Wealsoneedtomakesurepoliceareresponsiveandaccessible,withtrustbetweenlawenforcementandcommunity,aswellasrepresentationontheforceofpeopleofcolorandwomen.Ourpoliceshouldbeactivemembersofthecommunity,participatinginlocalevents,cleanups,andgenerallyplantingrootsintheneighborhood.Finally,weneedtomakeclearthatviolenceandviolenceagainstwomenareunacceptable,outsideorinsidethehome.Womenandvictimswhospeakoutshouldbeprotectedfromfearofretribution,andIwouldsupportfundingforcommunityorganizationsthatservesurvivorsofdomesticviolenceandotherformsofviolenceagainstwomen.
WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Bostonisacityofresources—hometoworld‐classhospitals,universities,andaboomingtechindustry—withagrowingdowntowneconomy.However,wemustfocusonconnectingtheneighborhoodswiththisgrowth.MyplanistobuildPipelinestoOpportunity,connectingourresidentsintothesefields,throughpartnershipsinourschoolsandneighborhoods.Iwouldliketoseeourunionsandcompaniespartnerwithourhighschoolsandcommunitycenters,offeringpre‐apprenticeprogramsandinternshipsthatshowaclearpathtoajobwithlivablewagesandbenefits.OurMainStreetssmallbusinessprogramscanbeexpandedtoserveasneighborhoodincubatorswhereresidentscanuseresourcestojump‐startabusinessidea.Ourlocalinfrastructureofschools,communitycenters,healthcenters,andlibrariesshouldbeaccesspointsforjobtrainingandwraparoundservices.
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WereachedouttoallcandidatesrunningforCityCouncilatLargeandMayor.Despiteourbesteffortstogetintouchwiththem,thefollowingcandidatesforCityCouncilAt‐Largedidnotfill
outthequestionnaire:
FrankJohnAddivinolaJr PhilipArthurFrattaroli
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Notes
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Foundedin1974byKipTiernan,Rosie’sPlacewasthefirstdropinandemergencyshelterforwomenintheUnitedStates.Rosie'sPlaceiscommittedtoprovidingasafeandnurturingenvironmenttohelppoorandhomelesswomenmaintaintheirdignity,seekopportunityandfindsecurityintheirlives.
889HarrisonAvenue·Boston,MA02118617‐442‐9322·fax617‐442‐7825
www.rosiesplace.orgJuly,2013
“Communityanddemocracymustworkhandinhand,otherwisewehaveneither.”
‐KipTiernan