You all know that I have a passion for the City of Worcester.
I believe in this City and know that we can make it an even better City. Working with my colleagues and the City Manager I know I can provide the leadership needed to move the City of Worcester forward in these difficult times.
Over the past three years we have had a mayor who has chosen to pass on leading our City. She has done a wonderful job cutting ribbons and welcoming guests but we need more than that from our Mayor.
We need a Mayor who will promote the City, not the Mayor. We need a Mayor who will take a leadership role, a Mayor who will build consensus with their colleagues, a Mayor who will use the bully pulpit that position provides to advance the city. We need a Mayor who will reach outside to other communities and create coalitions. We need a Mayor, who will BUILD bridges, not tear them down. We need a Mayor who will follow through with commitments. We need a Mayor to be accessible. We need a mayor who will allow the public to express their opinions, even if those opinions differ with the Mayor’s. Now, more than ever, we need a Mayor who will be a cheerleader for Worcester, to SELL Worcester to bring in potential businesses and residents, and I WILL BE THAT Mayor.
We are facing the most difficult times this City has seen since the depression. The biggest challenge over the next two years will be having enough revenue to fund the basics, education, public safety and maintaining our streets and sidewalks. Tough decisions will need to be made, but made with compassion and fiscal responsibility; tough decisions which are based on experience. I have that experience, as a parent, as a School Committee member and as a City Councilor.
To address these challenges, we need to focus on economic development and marketing our city. Working with my colleagues, we have started that focus, but we need to go further. We have to let people in Worcester, people in Worcester County, Massachusetts, New England and across the country know about the fabulous City we live in. Let them know why we are one of the ten best cities of our size to live in the country. Let them see the resources we can offer them. Our schools, our educated workforce, our central location and a city ready to work with them and welcome them. We must convince them to move to Worcester and bring their good paying jobs here to Worcester.
People ask me why I would want to be Mayor in times like these. There is one reason and one reason only, BECAUSE I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
I have made a difference and will continue to do so by supporting businesses so that we can provide jobs for people so that they can keep a roof over their heads. I have and will continue to engage our 18 to 35 year olds to encourage them to stay here in the City. I will continue to support public safety, fire and streets and sidewalks. I will continue to work with our elected state and federal officials, continue to support our city by advocating for local businesses both here in Worcester, and nationally. I have spoken on behalf of the city, advocating for stimulus money for local projects, and have advocated for laws to be changed to enable us to spend those dollars on local businesses. I have and will continue to support our senior citizens who have made Worcester the great city we live in and will continue to support our veterans who have been so brave in supporting us. As Mayor, I will revive and re-invigorate round table discussions with all stake holders in the community. As Mayor, I will continue to advocate for our residents in every way I can!
My first real exposure to government in the city of Worcester began 20 years ago, when the first of my three children started in the WPS. I got my start in Worcester politics by spending six years on the School Committee. I still believe that education is a cornerstone to our future. We need to be producing well educated citizens who are prepared and ready to accept jobs in our city. I am prepared to work with our new Superintendent to maximize the amount of education we can get out of every dollar we spend. I have experience doing this.
I have saved 55 teacher’s jobs while on the School Committee by reaching out and working with other School Committees to change a state formula, which has resulted in a savings of over $15million since FY ’05. That would be 55 fewer teachers today if I had not engaged others in that endeavor.
I will be the Mayor that you need; the Mayor that Worcester needs to navigate the stormy waters ahead. I have four years of experience on the City Council and will not have to go through a learning curve during a fiscally challenging time in our City’s history. .
We have a lot of work to do between now and November 3rd. I will need your assistance making phone calls, knocking on doors, holding signs and those other tasks needed to get our vote out November 3rd.
I am the right choice, and this is the right time to make Worcester the best City it can be. With your support, we will win this race. And once we have won this race we can start Focusing on the Future!
Thank you!
City Councilor
Candidate for Mayor
