Vote Medford 2007

Lungo: (Q1) Affordable Housing

Over the last few years, Medford has been quite active in working to provide more affordable housing within the city. The Office of Community Development has been lucky to obtain the skills and background of our new Affordable Housing Specialist, Ericka Schwartz.

Ms. Schwartz has been busy working on a number of projects that are helping the lower income population obtain affordable housing, such as the Rental and Ownership Affordable Housing Lotteries, and the First Time Home Buyer Program. Ms. Schwartz is great when it comes to working with the City Council and communicating updates to the City Council. She keeps the council apprised of what goes on through e-mails and meetings, which keeps us up to date and active on the issues. She introduced and asked for support on the Inclusionary Housing Policy, which would create housing that regular Medford residents CAN afford.

Though we are making strides, we like many other neighboring towns and cities, have many who cannot afford the high rent and prices of living. I agree that more needs to be done in Medford and if re-elected I will continue to support creating more affordable housing, whether its by encouraging developers to include affordable units in their developments, by supporting Ericka Schwartz's plans and hard work, or by pushing the In-Law apartment issue, that I have supported in the past.

Lungo: (Q2) Making Medford Safe for Pedestrians & Cyclists

The roads and crosswalks in Medford need to be made safer for everybody. Last year I put a resolution on the agenda, which the council supported, to improve pedestrian safety at Wellington Circle. It was fueled by complaints about how unsafe it is to get from one point to the other. After walking the area I noticed that I was putting my life in danger every time I crossed. I noticed myself running from point A to point B, in order to avoid the traffic. Then I thought if its tough for me, what about our seniors and our disabled citizens. Unfortunately, this is the case in many areas within our city and something needs to be done.

I think it is a big endeavor to make bike lanes along all of our primary and secondary streets, but it is one that I would support, even if it had to be done one street at a time or a few streets a year. Not only would it be beneficial to people who ride bicycles, but it would be much safer for the walkers as well. Keeping the bicycles off of the sidewalks, by giving them their own lane, would eliminate everyone especially our senior citizens from worrying about sharing the sidewalks with bicycles.

Creating Bicycle lanes would also be a plus for the environment, because it would hopefully encourage more people to ride to work, school, and on errands, which in turn takes cars off the roads and emissions out of the air.

Lungo: (Q3) Encouraging Diversity in Medford City Government

In general there is a problem when it comes to City government, it's the lack of interest from so many people. Even with the help of the newspapers, channel 3, 15, and 16, some still do not know much about the community they live in and many don't even exercise their right to vote.

The best way to answer the question is that more people need to be encouraged to participate in one way or another. I would never discourage one from taking part in our government, from running for office, or from contacting an elected official about a concern or problem.

Even though the council is not as diverse as some would like, as far as I am concerned, all of Medfords citizen's interests are protected, whether they are from North Medford, South Medford, The Fulton Heights, or from any other area. I have been elected as a City Councillor at Large. I have done my best to go through my political career by keeping everyone's best interests in mind when I take a vote or make a decision. It does not matter the race, the background of the person or group of people, or the location of their home.

Lungo: (Q4) Candidate Action Plan for Green Line Extension

I do support the concept of introducing the Green Line to Medford. The extension of the green line into Medford could bring a number of benefits to the community. It would improve the quality of air by getting vehicles off the roads, it is a convenient way for many people to commute, it will increase property values, and is it good for the economics in Medford.

Speaking only for myself, you are correct, the elected officials have been noncommittal when asked to accept the overall package of the Green line, but I believe it is with good reason. We are elected to look out for the best interests of the community and all who live in it. With that obligation, comes questions and concerns and until those concerns are put to rest it would be inappropriate to agree with everything before us.

Parking, parking enforcement, taking homes by eminent domain, and the issue of non- Medford residents coming into Medford and congesting the city with additional parking are all issues that need to be more clearly addressed. Also, keeping the integrity of the neighborhoods is and will continue to be a top priority of mine.

There has been so much input from the community, which is a good thing and something I would keep encouraging. As the specifics continue to be worked on, I promise to follow the issue, attend all meetings my schedule allows, and look out for the best interests of the community as a whole when it comes to the topic of the Green line extension.

Lungo: (Q5) Priorities for Medford Square Revitalization

As far as Medford Square is concerned, I would love to see the river front developed with river front access, outdoor restaurants, and wider sidewalks for seating. I would love to see a place where people can live, work, shop, dine, and exercise, all in the same area. I think foot traffic is essential and more of it would boost the economics for our businesses. It would be great to get new and improved bicycle and walking trails in and around the square.

I have said it before, within the short term we need to find a developer or developers who would be interested in becoming part of this project. Without outside resources some of the ideas are out of reach for the city to accomplish on its own. I am confident however that the city will come into contact with interested developers, and until then we have to continue to make small changes to enhance the character and quality of the square.

Lungo: (Q6) South Medford

It is not only South Medford's streets and sidewalks that need work. Unfortunately, there are streets and sidewalks all over the city that need to be repaired. It is a public safety issue that is worked on a little each year; as much as our financial status will allow. This year the city council approved a large bond to help remedy the situation. Although I believe the city goes out to bond more than it should, it was something I did support because I know there is a problem and this was one thing we as councillors could do to help remedy it. The bond gave the Department of Public Works the materials and authority to repair a whole host of streets within the city.

I am confident that repaving and new sidewalks will be on the agenda this budget season as well and at that time we need to take a good look at which streets need the most work and start there, whether it be in south Medford, west Medford, or any other section of the city.

Lungo: (Q7) Investing in Medford's Historical Resources

We are lucky to have a number of historical properties in the City of Medford and even luckier to have such dedicated people to look after them and help them prosper. Our historical districts, as well as the Royal House, the Peter Tufts House, the Brooks Estates, the Medford Pipe bridge Middlesex Fells Reservation, and the Salem street burial ground are just a part of this city's history.

The city can protect and invest in its historic resources by continuing to support the different organizations and the people who make them thrive day in and day out. We also need to make sure these resources are well maintained, which means helping out with the funding, as we have done in the past. The City Council on a number of occasions has appropriated money to help these resources, for example, the roof at the Brooks Estates. I will continue to be a supporter of Medford's historical resources and will take each bond initiative as it comes. I like to decide on issues, especially when it deals with going out to bond, when all the information is on the table and all of my questions have been answered.

Lungo: (Q8) Arts & Culture for Medford Revitalization

Local Art and Culture plays a huge role in the revitalization of Medford. The council has said it many times that a part of the revitalization of Medford Square should be an arts center, where local artists can go and use the studios for their own work and to teach others how important art is and what it can bring to ones life. Councillor Burke was the first to mention the idea and from day one I have agreed, an art studio should be in the center of Medford where all can enjoy and be part of.

Also, although Medford does not have an arts center, we cannot forget about Spring Step which is already in this city and plays a huge part in providing culture and art to the community. Everyday there is something going on at spring step. I always see such a diverse range of people of all ages going into spring step for a concert, yoga class, cultural night, etc.

I will continue to support spring step and the arts and hope that sooner than later an affordable location opens up in Medford for an arts center.

Lungo: (Q9) Budget Transparency

First of all, for those who did not see the council meeting the night the budget passed, I did not vote to approve the 500 page school budget in 2007. I was given the budget to review at our 6:00 p.m. sub-committee meeting and expected to vote on it at 7:00 p.m. The school budget is such a huge part of the overall budget with so many details and such important line items such as class size, energy costs, salaries, etc. There was no way I could have approved something I did not have time to look over in depth.

I was voted into office to do my homework and protect the best interests of the Medford citizens, including our youth population. I said it that night and I will say it again, I believe that I as one councillor would be doing a disservice and would not be doing my job if I voted to approve it with such short notice. I wanted at least 48 hours to read and go through it to be able to ask questions and have time to obtain answers.

To improve the budget process, I would say the number one thing I would want would be more time to review it before I had to vote to approve it or not.

Lungo: (Q10) GIC for Municipal Employees' Health Insurance?

The Group Insurance Commission is a new state law and very foreign to me. I do however know there are both proponents and opponents to the implementation of the new state law to the City of Medford. It is something I would have to look into before I came out with a firm opinion on it.

I know that those who are receiving the city's health plan want to make sure that their health coverage is as good as what they have now. On the other hand, the GIC would help drive down overall health costs, and the city needs to concentrate on how to save money any place they can. It would take much debate and I would have to do hours of research before I could choose a side.