Profiles from Worcester's 2015 municipal candidates for City Council and School Committee. Includes contact info, why they are running, and 3 things they advocate for.
2015 Municipal Candidates Guide Preliminary Election: Tuesday, September 8th Election Day is Tuesday November 3rd, 2015 Polls open at 7am and close at 8pm The Ballot will include City Council At-Large City Wide. Voters can select up to 6 out of 12 candidates Mayor City Wide. Voters can select up to 1 candidate **Note: The Mayor is a member of the City Council. You must vote for your desired candidate on the ballot twice: once as Councilor-At Large, and once as Mayor
Transcript
2015 Municipal Candidates GuidePreliminary Election: Tuesday, September 8th
Election Day is Tuesday November 3rd, 2015
Polls open at 7am and close at 8pm
The Ballot will include
City Council At-Large City Wide. Voters can select up to 6 out of 12 candidates
MayorCity Wide. Voters can select up to 1 candidate
**Note: The Mayor is a member of the City Council. You must vote for your desired candidate on the ballot twice: once as Councilor-
At Large, and once as Mayor
School CommitteeCity Wide. Voters can select up to 6 out of 10 candidates
District City CouncilorsVoters select 1 of 2 Candidates in D1, D2 &D4.
There is only one candidate on the ballot in D3 &D5.
To find your district go to http://www.worcesterma.gov/e-services/where-do-i-vote
The Candidates
Morris A. Bergman*Candidate for City Councilor At-Large
11 Kensington HeightsWorcester, MA 01602
Email: MOEBERGMAN2015.COMPhone: (508) 981-5934
Current/Past Occupations: Lawyer
“Why are you running?” To help Worcester reach its potential as the second largest City in New England in providing economic
opportunities anda great quality of life to all its
residents.
“I am advocating for:” 1) Creating greater opportunities for homeownership for those that have
historically been unable to;2) reducing "red tape" for new
business development and developing a free mentor program to
assists new business owners;3) investing in our greenspace by
developing plans/policy for the replacement of trees removed
Current/Past Occupations: Substitute Teacher Worcester Public Schools
Retired Nutrition Educator University of Mass, Amherst
“Why are you running?” I am running to bring the government to the people and to make our City Council immediately responsive to the concerns of our citizens.
I want to give the taxpayers and business community of Worcester the government they want and need.
“I am advocating for”: 1) Economic development projects that link our neighborhoods and our citizens with employment opportunities and neighborhood enhancement projects.
2) The construction of new school buildings to replace old antiquated buildings that are not safe for our children and teachers, along with a state of the art futuristic public safety center that
would incorporate police, fire, and state and federal emergency responders.
3) A friendly business working environment with our elected and appointed government officials and the agencies that streamline permitting processes. I want Worcester to be a leading Business Enterprise Center that attracts industries who want a great location, educated, skilled and loyal workforce.
Past/Current Occupations: Self-employed attorney in Worcester
“Why are you running?”: To bring decisive leadership to city council so we can restore safety to our streets and schools, practice
responsible fiscal management, and implement an effective economic
development strategy.
“I am advocating for:” I am advocating for the safety of our teachers and students by providing the necessary resources and proper
administration in your schools.
I am advocating for safety in our streets by improving our ability to fight crime; per MSN Money we are
ranked 9th worst city to retire in because, based in recent crime data, “Worcester has a crime rate that is higher than 97% of cities and towns in Massachusetts, and is one of the 100 most dangerous cities in the
United States.”
I am advocating for responsible fiscal management and effective economic
development because our taxes continue to rise with diminishing
services as we focus on trickle-down economics with large-scale projects while abandoning small businesses.
Juan A. GomezCandidate for City Councilor At-Large
Current/Past Occupations: President & CEO of CENTRO, formerly known as Centro Las Americas. CENTRO is the largest minority-run, multi-cultural, multi-service, human services organization in Central Mass.
“Why are you running?”: I am running, because I have the commitment to our community, 30 year history of serving our country, state and city, experience, education, and the track record of success as a leader and executive, to help this city move forward. I am also the only candidate in this race with a clear and comprehensive plan to bring jobs to our city.
“I am advocating for:” I Support a comprehensive public safety strategy to curb the current crime wave. I am tired of hearing that Worcester is safe relative to
Boston, or some other city. No level of crime is acceptable. And while zero crime may not be attainable, we must address our constituent's concerns that Worcester is not a safe city, and not dismiss them by simply saying, "Worcester is a safe".
Worcester's government must be much more responsive to its constituents, much more reflective of the people it serves. Our government does not belong to two or three political elites. And thus it should reflect the interests, desires and priorities of all of us. When elected, I will make sure that is the case.
Further, I believe we must improve academic outcomes for all the 25,000 students in the Worcester public schools. This means help narrow the achievement gap, for students of color and English language learners; but it also means provide more opportunity for arts, spots and gifted children. Finally, I believe that not all children are able to succeed in the traditional classroom. For those young people, we must provide additional support, including clinical and behavioral health interventions, as well as additional support to their parents, in a setting more appropriate for them. This will ensure that children interested in and able to learn in a traditional classroom, have fewer disruptions, and teachers will have a better environment to teach.
Khrystian KingCandidate for City Councilor At-Large
9 Victoria AvenueWorcester, MA 01607
www.King4Worcester.org 774-922-0368
Facebook: Khrystian King for City Council At Large
Current/Past Occupations: Adolescent Social Worker at the Department of Children and Families
“Why are you running?” As a father, social worker and coach, I am running for City Council At-Large to bring a true community voice to the Council, a voice that will use hands-on experience to fight for safer streets, good jobs and great public schools for every neighborhood, every family, and every child in the city.
“I am advocating for:” A return to true community policing that will build relationships and trust in every neighborhood, and when combined with additional resources dedicated to youth jobs and after-school programs will lead a reduction in the violence that has erupted in the City.
Targeted tax breaks for established businesses when they expand and hire city residents, and tax breaks for Women and Minority owned new businesses will create a stable economic climate and encourage a new generation of entrepreneurs to
step up and take a chance on Worcester.
Creating solid, well-paying jobs will allow families to not just survive, but thrive, and will provide the stability so many Worcester residents need to realize their dreams.
Konstantina B. Lukes*Candidate for City Councilor At-Large
I am fighting for the future of Worcester, because if gang violence, crime and drug use continue to threaten business, residents and public schools, then progress and our quality of life will be under attack.
“I am advocating for”:
1. Collaboration of all law enforcement agencies, starting with the State Police. To maximize resources2. Safety audit of all municipal buildings, including but not limited to the review of the effectiveness of installation of panic buttons, sign-in sheets, internal cameras3. Merger of police and fire departments with oversight by a
Campaign facebook: Linda Parham for City Councilor At-Large
Twitter: Campaign phone: 774-232-
1025
Community Organizer, ordained Reverend; Houses of Faith Consultant.
The present City Council have has failed to realize that we are “Better Together” and have not accomplished engagement of all community members in the civic process for a better quality of life. We can only be successful if we provide universal civic education and engagement to achieve majority balance and equality rather a majority having less access to resources. Ways must be developed to engage citizens in an equitable process for fair and just representation. I want to be the City
Council person that will be the bridge from City Hall to the community. I want to help people find their voices again.
1. Safe Neighborhoods-Many of the residents have expressed feeling unsafe in their neighborhoods. In order to achieve safety, we must acknowledge and develop an inclusive working relationship for all.
2. Public transportation with routes and times that fit people’s needs-Many residents need public transportation beyond the 9 a.m-11p.m. hours, which will fit their needs. Especially our elderly people who need to go get medicine and shopping at certain times of the day and month.
3. Stable Real Estate Taxes- By finding workable solutions for our taxes we can generate good economic development which create jobs and community development which help the residents. Residents are leaving the city to work and settle in other locales.
Current/Past Occupations Executive secretary, employee retirement system of the Massachusetts housing finance agency
“Why are you running?” I am committed to making Worcester a better place for all of our citizens and Worcester is changing and we are facing different challenges. I want to make the city a better place because Worcester is my touchstone not my stepping stone.
“I am advocating for”: Inclusiveness and openness in government.
Economic development that helps everyone in the city.
A safety city for the residents of every neighborhood.
Robert J. SargentCandidate for City Council At-Large
Current/Past Occupations: Regional Outreach Representative; VP, Community and External Affairs
“Why are you running?”: I am running for reelection to continue the work I have been doing for the past 10 years on the City Council to support economic development, public safety, quality public schools and updated infrastructure. As the first woman chair of Public Works, I led the approval of an unprecedented investment in infrastructure improvements resulting in 23 miles of streets and 22 miles of sidewalks tobe repaved, improving the quality of life for citizens including addressing much-needed ADA compliance.
“I am advocating for:” 1. Continued public safety efforts to include utilization of the Community Policing/Summer Impact models; officers in the school; upgrading technology; citizen engagement and continued support of grant funding to enable the expansion of these programs
2. Improved educational system in infrastructure environments that are safe and conducive to learning.
3. Economic development initiatives to broaden our tax base, including initiatives like the Route 20Sewer Project; advocating for crowd funding of public recreational spaces; initiatives to provide more small business start-up opportunities; cooperative programs with colleges and universities to site start-ups in Worcester, and others.
Current/Past Occupations TD Bank, 2011 - PresentCommunity Development Manager for New England and New York
Worcester Community Housing Resources, Inc., 2007-2011Executive Director
“Why are you running?” I am running for an at-large seat on the Worcester City Council because I believe with the right vision and focus these tremendous assets can be strategically leveraged in order for Worcester to fulfill its potential as a model of excellence for midsized urban cities.
“I am advocating for”: Public safety initiatives that protect our neighborhoods.
Excellence in the Worcester Public Schools.
An increase in the number of owner occupied multi-family properties.
Christina ZlodyCandidate for City Council At-Large
Current/Past Occupations: Program & Events Coordinator for the Visual & Performing Arts Department at Clark University
“Why are you running?”: Worcester's economy has always thrived on the back of entrepreneurs and creators. Of makers and builders. Of people working with their hands to create a life for themselves and a better Worcester.Today, Worcester's resurgence is beginning to thrive, once again, on the backs of small, creative business owners. These are the artisans, craftsmen, bakers, and makers that have always been at the heart of our city. Our economy is starting to grow again thanks to a new generation of entrepreneurial business owners in areas such as Quinsigamond Village, the Canal District, Shrewsbury Street, Tatnuck Square, and Downtown -- I want to be a part of this movement to build a stronger Worcester.
“I am advocating for:” 1) We need to encourage and support new small businesses to open and expand, thus growing job numbers and our tax base.
2) Worcester should be the hub of small, creative businesses in Massachusetts.
3) As an employee of Clark University I see our college students taking the investment we've made in them, and leaving for other cities. We need to offer them opportunities to live, create, and work in Worcester.
