Issues

Economic(back to top)

A strong economy creates economic opportunities, protects assets, supports innovation, and reduces economic inequality, shifting from a focus on individuals and the “well connected” to prioritizing community-centered policies that focus on uplifting struggling and working families. 

• Effectively and efficiently manage state and federal stimulus dollars by
  
  • working collaboratively with organizations and city offices in advocating for additional resources from the federal and state government.
  • ensuring a broad range of employment opportunities.
  • advocating for school building repairs.
  • city-wide infrastructure repairs and maintenance (i.e. roads, sidewalks).
  • targeting stimulus funds for the refurbishing, upkeep and appropriate maintenance of city owned properties and buildings.

• Address the foreclosure crisis by
  
  • working to pass six-month moratorium on foreclosures.
  • working to create a “Foreclosure Mediation” program to ensure mutually beneficial relationships with homeowners, renters and financial institutions.
  • ensuring the appropriate implementation and utilization of the Neighborhood Stabilization Funds.

• Encourage the innovation of financial institutions  for expanding assets accumulation for a broad base of people by
  
  • developing and encouraging broad use of individual development accounts for homeownership, business development, or for attaining professional and vocational college education.
  • working to create a “rent-to-own” program for city residents.
  • ensuring fairness and equality in economic activities by developing community based agreements for keeping jobs in Springfield
  • ensuring fair employment practices for employees, including the right to unionize.
  • ensuring fair lending standards for financial institutions.
  • developing working relationships with organizations addressing employment discrimination.
  • auditing city departments for gender and racial disparities in pay.
  • increasing small business development for underserved populations.
  • requiring reporting on economic inequality in Springfield.
  • ensuring appropriate approval of zoning by the City Council.
  • supporting living wage ordinances

• Develop and create a free wireless network for Springfield residents

Environment(back to top)

Ensuring that community residents have access to clean air, healthy drinking water, and green spaces is central to creating a sustainable Springfield that reduces our carbon footprint while improving the city’s quality of life.  I will strive to 

• increase the city-wide recycling program.

• develop internal city policies on waste management and recycling.

• increase development of a stronger public transportation system that connects Springfield to the larger region of New England.

• ensure environment impact studies are completed on new buildings and infrastructure development.

Crime(back to top)

Achieving a reduction in crime requires a comprehensive strategy that connects residents to essential services of prevention, increases communication between community residents and institutions of protection, and supports rehabilitation as well as punishment.  I will work to 

• ensure that Springfield residents have access to multi-lingual emergency services.

• increase support for anti-drug programs.
  

• develop a Community Police Review Board.

• develop a comprehensive plan that reduces addiction to drugs, joblessness, and homelessness.

• address issues of concentrated poverty and the lack of available services to this population.

• develop a PeaceMaking Circles program, which creates partnerships between institutions of protection, community members, and young people, focusing on rehabilitation and restorative justice.

• develop comprehensive plan for addressing and preventing domestic violence, rape and partner based assault.

Youth(back to top)

To ensure the longevity of a strong and vibrant Springfield, we must honor our elders while uplifting our youth to be the future leaders of tomorrow.  I will 

• ensure and protect the youth seat on the School Committee.

• develop ordinances that allow for young people to recreate in the evening while balancing community protection.

• create more opportunities for leadership for young people in decision making bodies.

• develop plans for ensuring non-discrimination of youth, based on CORI checks.

• create an anti-bullying coalition.

• pass a ordinance to ensure the protection of youth and all adults regardless of gender identity or expression.

Long Hill Gardens(back to top)

Developing pathways to homeownership and affordable housing creates strong communities that can grow economically while increasing community responsibility by expanding opportunity. I plan to 

• establish a community land trust that would create mixed-income housing, as well as owner-occupied units, while ensuring development of commerce.