Democrat

I am a graduate of the Newman School in Boston, in 1983, and furthered my education at Northeastern University. I am a 36-year employee of Verizon, as well as a 36-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. I am presently the Legislative Director for IBEW 2222, a Trustee on the Norfolk County Labor Council, as well as on the Executive Board of the Greater Boston Labor Council.

There are many important issues facing our Ward right now, the most of important of which is the 99-year lease at The Granite Links. It is imperative that our Ward has representation in the decision-making process now, and in the entirety of the lease.

The three most concerning issues facing Ward 4 at this time are - in no particular order - the 99-year Lease, overdevelopment, and the traffic congestion in our neighborhoods.

Regarding the Lease, it is incumbant that we educate the community on the financial issues and the future raminfications that will effect the entire City, and, more importantly, Ward 4. All negotitiations with regard to this matter must be 100% transparent.

There has been some much-needed development in the last ten years in Ward 4. I believe that new construction needs to be done in a responsible and cooperative manner with the neighborhoods. Overdevelopment stresses valuable City resources, not the least of which is First Responders.

Ward 4 surrounds the Southeast Expressway, the bane of every commuters day. Increasingly, the streets of our neighborhoods have become cut-throughs for people to avoid this traffic, and while this is a nuisance for all of us, it is - more importantly - becoming a real danger to the lives and quality of life of our citizens as cars dart in and out not knowing the melody of the neighborhood' children, Seniors, and families walking around during their everyday lives This unwanted congestion on our neigborhoods poses a clear and present danger to first responders in their durites to keep us safe. We need to work as a community to find solutions to this very important issue.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak with anyone regarding these issues, and invite you to please contact me with you any questions or ideas you have.

Through my union, I have been participated and volunteered in numerous food drives, holiday drives, and various other fundraisers for the food pantries in our City and the South Shore, as well as donating my time to My Brother's Keeper during their Annual Christmas Drive.

I intend updating the Ward 4 Page on the City of Quincy on a regular basis to keep our consitutents informed of important issues that effect our neighborhoods. I also plan on having quarterly community meetings with consitituents. In addition, my phone and email will always be open, and I will respond in a timely manner to any and all questions from constitutents.

I am a 36-year member of IBEW 2222 Boston, and have held many positions in the Union during those years. I am currently the Legislative Director for IBEW 2222, and a Trustee with the Norolk County Labor Council. In addition, I serve as IBEW 2222's representative on the Executive Board for the Greater Boston Labor Council. We at 2222 have been forced to strike against Verizon (and its previous corporate names) for my entire career. Personally, I have been involved in five strikes in thirty-six years, and have enthusiastically walked the picket lines with many of our brothers and sisters in the labor movement across the country as they have fought for liveable wages, fair benefits, and safe working conditions. My unwavering commitment to working families has not always been popular with corporate and political leaders. However, I was raised to do the right thing, and, along with my brothers and sisters, to live our lives in service to others.

In speaking with Ward 4 residents, it has become apparent that the City would benefit greatly from the development of a 55+ Community, where lifelong Quincy residents would be able to stay in the community where they have raised their children. I would actively seek out developers who would consider this type of building in Ward 4.

Quincy is an incredibly diverse city, and there are no fewer than 5 languages spoken among the residents of Ward 4. When our residents truly do not have a voice because they literally cannot be heard and understood, there can be no equity. I intend on making sure that all communications are printed and distributed in all the languages of our residents, and will be holding quarterly meetings with interpreters present to bring issues important to our citizens to the forefront. When people are heard and understood, inclusion and harmony can begin to grow.

First off, the original QHA 50-year Lease is only 17 years in as of 2023 - there are 33 years left on the original Lease. I believe that any extension of this lease is premature at this point, and there are extensive issues that need to be resolved before any decisions can be made. With that said, there has been an incredible lack of transparency and oversight involved with the management of the lease. Promises made regarding benefits for the residents of Ward 4, i.e., playing fields, hiking trails, discounted Tee fees, have never come to fruition, and monetary benefits in general to the City of Quincy have been minimal. While I am not opposed to the development of a hotel on the site, it is imperative that the terms and length of such be negotiated with the best interests of the citizens of Ward 4 in the forefront. The proposed terms of this new lease promise four generations of wealth to the developers, while imposing restrictions on future generations of Ward 4 families. I would not vote in favor of the lease without the inclusion of a Community Advisory Board made up of Ward 4 citizens in place in perpetituty of Lease. In addition, Ward 4 residents needs to be represented when decisions are being made regarding future access roads to and from the area.

I would really like to see more greenspace in Quincy, and incentives for our businesses to take over caring for the greenery in traffic islands and beach areas.

Right now, my focus is on Community Building in Ward 4 and erasing language barriers so that our residents are able to take part in decision making in our City.

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Yes

Yes