Preliminary Boston Election Guide 2013

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

CandidateforMayor

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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.

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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

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WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?AbettereducationsystemthatsupportsahappierworkforceshallencouragebusinessestolocateinBostonandbringjobswhichshallreducethetaxburdenuponallofus.

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CharlesYancey

WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Ibelievethathousingisaright,notaprivilege.IsupportprogramssuchastheHearthHouseinMattapanwhichprovidesanopportunityfortheformerlyhomelesstoachievemoreindependenceanddignity.AsMayorIwouldencouragesimilardevelopments.Iwillalsorequirethatnewhousingdevelopmenttoincludemorehighqualityaffordablehousingunits.IwillalsoworkwithorganizationssuchasHabitatforHumanity,PineStreetInn,andRosie’splacetocreateinnovativehousingstrategiestohelpeliminatehomelessness.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Iwillworkwithwomen’sadvocacyagenciesandtheBostonPublicHealthCommissiontoexpandservicestohomelesswomenandtheirchildren.

CandidateforMayor

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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

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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.


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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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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.


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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


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.


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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.


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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


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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

AdditionalCandidates

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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

Documents

Preliminary Boston Election Guide 2013