On the Ground
I walk these streets and sidewalks every day, often with a stroller, so I know the shape they’re in. I drive down our overcrowded roads daily and hit the same potholes you do. We all slipped on the snow and ice this winter. And I know what it’s like to call the city, report an issue, and hear that a work order has been placed, only to find out it was never filed, let alone completed. The employees of this city are competent, capable, and kind, but there is a profound leadership problem at the top.
City Hall clearly believes our crumbling infrastructure can wait a few months or years to be repaired while Mayor Sciarra gears up for a second term build-a-thon. But if you’re calling, I know that it’s already been too long. I understand that a crumbling sidewalk isn’t just an inconvenience but an impediment, and its continued existence an insult. City Hall calls the folks that call in “squeaky wheels” and has eschewed “squeaky wheel policy.” In contrast, I appreciate how essential that public feedback is. I get that communication is democracy in action—not a yearly election, but a daily collaboration. Citizen feedback makes it easier to make the city better, and understanding that fact is essential in ensuring everyone’s safety. As mayor, I would restore that vital connection between the public and public services, saving money and saving lives.
PLATFORM
Reempower and fully staff the Department of Public Works
Fully fund and support the Fire Department
Ensure real-time response to resident requests
Encourage resident reporting
Repair and reconceive sidewalks, ensuring safety and accessibility
Repair the roads as soon as possible
Remove ice and snow whenever necessary
Enforce pedestrian right of way in downtown crosswalks
Plan and post roadway detours if construction is scheduled
Minimize impact of infrastructural repairs on residents and communities
Below are links to interactive Pothole and Unsafe Sidewalk maps where you can report any unacceptable conditions you see. We can’t wait another minute on some of these repairs, and I intend to use the next few months to call attention to that. The Department of Public Works has been understaffed and mismanaged, and if elected I would make it an immediate priority to get them what they need to fix this city, including greater transparency and real-time interaction with the public.
City Hall may not want to hear from you, but I do.