Malden — I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Malden’s Ward-3 City Councillor. I have thanked our retiring councillor for his fine service and informed him that I am here for Ward 3 and to help our city move forward. Ward 3 has a special significance to the City of Malden, and as a lifelong resident it has special significance to me as well.

Malden needs new professionals as it restructures and deals with a surge of retirements. I offer a history of community partnership and a decade of attorney experience which fills a need on our 11-member lawmaking body.

I was honored to receive nearly half of all votes in the last ward election, including the majority of Precinct 1. I was also fortunate to serve on the City Council in 2009, earning praise from my fellow councillors. There is much work ahead and it will advantage Ward 3 to have a new councillor with the experience needed to get working immediately. I am well-acquainted with the material weakness that allowed public money to be stolen from the treasury, and the modern business controls neeroded to prevent it in the future. I also know our local needs and share your priorities.

Being a clear and consistent advocate for residents is central to who I am. I successfully campaigned to expand public access to our city budget, and for overdue road and park repairs. I pledge to help people be heard, as I consider it integral to good government. I support a citizen’s privilege to allow public input as a matter of course at the conclusion of our public meetings. You pay for City Hall, and your voice has a rightful place within its walls.Read more...

A better government is a partner with residents, not an adversary. It is wrong to raise revenue by calling for the issue of more tickets and fines on struggling families; nor do I support a property tax increase or a Prop. 2 ½ over-ride. When the economy deals us all a blow, government and residents must stand together. As someone who lives, works and pays taxes in Malden, I feel the impact of each new fine, fee or tax, and I share your frustration when there is no reprieve in sight.

We must also restore funding to the fire, police and education departments as soon as possible, and this must take priority over the political wish list planned for our local option revenue. Another imperative is to ensure that the demolition and substitute use for the Malden Hospital site is done with community input and supervision as this dormant resource has implications on our homes, roads, and lives.

Now is the time for us to start a new beginning together. Not a beginning that changes who we are, but one which identifies our strengths and weaknesses - to expand what works and fix what does not. A beginning that recognizes the glory of our historic past yet turns a page and opens a dialogue about our opportunities and what is possible for our future.

I am committed to being available to residents, and to being candid and honest about where things stand and what to expect. I will listen to the community to craft a priority list of short and long term goals, including our most dire needs and road repairs.

You may have seen me at community events or working with the Bread of Life, but in the months ahead I look forward to connecting with residents in every possible way. Regardless of who you supported in the past, or who you support now, I am your neighbor and we share the same vision - to have the best possible Malden in which to live and raise a family. I want to be the councillor that Ward 3 deserves and our city needs. Join me.