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2013MunicipalGeneralElectionCandidatesGuide
VoteonNovember5thRegisterbyOctober16thPollsareopen7:00AM—8:00PM
PreparedbythepublicpolicyprogramofRosie’sPlace.Candidatequestionnairetopicswerese‐lectedwithinputfromRosie’sPlaceguests.
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TableofContents
YourElectioninformation 3
CandidatesforMayor 4
SampleBallot—Mayor 5
JohnConnolly 6
MartinJ.Walsh 8
CandidatesforCityCouncilAt‐Large 10
SampleBallot—CityCouncilAt‐Large 11
MartinKeogh 12
JackKelly 14
AnnissaEssaibiGeorge 16
MichaelFlaherty 18
AyannaPressley 20
MichelleWu 22
StephenMurphy 24
JeffRoss 26
CandidatesforCityCouncilDistrict7 28
SampleBallot‐CityCouncilDistrict7 29
RoyOwens 30
TitoJackson 32
CampaignWebsites 34
Acknowledgements 35
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IfyouareregisteredtovoteatadifferentlocationthanRosie'sPlace,pleasecallthecityelectionsdepartmentat617‐635‐4635orwww.cityofboston.gov/whoami,tofindoutyourdistrictandpollinglocation.YoucanalsogetthisinformationfromtheRosie's
PlacePublicPolicyProgram.
YourElectionInformation
IfyouareregisteredatRosie'sPlace(889HarrisonAvenue,Boston)yourpollinglocationis:
OrchardGardensCommunityCenter2DearbornSt,Boston
IfyouareregisteredatWoodsMullenorPineStreetInnyourpollinglocationis:
CathedralHighSchoolGym1336WashingtonStreet,Boston
UsefulcontactsforvotersSecretaryofState:800‐462‐8683
ww.wheredoivotema.comwww.mass.gov/sec
BostonElectionsDepartment:617‐635‐2767
Www.cityofboston.gov/elections/voterLawyersCommitteeforCivilRights:
886–OURVOTE(687‐8683)888–VEYVOTA(839‐8682)
Rosie’sPlacewillprovidecandidateinformationandridestothepollsfrom
9:00AM—3:00PMOnElectionDay.
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CandidatesforMayor
Youmayvoteforonly1candidate
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SampleBallot
CandidatesforMayorIntheorderinwhichtheywillappearontheballot
JohnRConnolly
MartinJWalsh
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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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CandidateforMayor
MartinJ.Walsh
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Wewilllaunchanimmediateanalysisofthecurrentstockofvacanciesinthecity.Simultaneously,wewillorganizeandcollaboratewithlandlords–bigandsmall–todiscusswaystomeetcityhousinggoalswithcurrentstock.Theresultsoftheseeffortswillinformthedevelopmentandimplementationofare‐useplan–awaytogettheseunitsbackinserviceasaffordable/workingfamiliesunits.
Wewillevaluatevariousincentivesforlandlordstoestablish/setasideaffordable/workforcehousing.Thismayincludetaxbreaks,permitsreductions,andtheimplementationofaLandlordGuaranteeProgram.Throughtherecentbudgetprocess,$10millionhasbeensetasideforastate‐wideHousingTrustFund.WiththeconcentrationofMA’spopulationinBoston,asizeableportionofthesemoniesshouldbeearmarkedforBoston.WewillworkwithDHCDtoensurethatmoniesareappropriatelyproportionedandutilizedforourcity’shousinggoals.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Weneedtoexplorebestpracticesfromothercity’splanstoendhomelessness.Wealsoneeddrawupontheexpertiseofmanyofournon‐profitorganizationswhohavebeendoingimportantandsuccessfulservicedeliverytoBoston’smostvulnerablepopulations.Boston’sprevailingrentalratesandhousingpricesfalselyproducesthebeliefthatmostsuchhousingdevelopmentisunfeasible.Wewillbringutilizeavariedgroupoffinancingsources,publicandprivate‐housingcooperativeprograms,mixedincomehousingassociations,communitydevelopmentblockgrants,loansforaccessibilityprograms,non‐profits,taxexemptbonds,trustfunds,housingsubsidies,andlowinterestloans.
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It’snotnecessarilyuniquetowomen,butoftenhomelessnessgoeshand‐in‐handwithsubstanceabuse.Muchofmytimeinthelegislaturehasbeenspentonissuesofrecovery,andIintendtocontinuethatwork.
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Overthepastdecade,violentcrimehasdecreasedinBoston.Iamhopefulthistrendwillcontinue.However,wearenotsatisfied.WewillimplementaComprehensiveCrimeReductionProgramthatincludes:
Amoreaggressiveapproachtomakingmisdemeanorarrestswhereappropriate;thisstrategyhasshowntotakehigh‐riskindividualsoffthestreetandtoreducedisorder‐relatedcrime;
Increasedpartnershipsbetweenandamongpoliceandcityagencies,localbusinessowners,andtenantassociations;
Increasedhotspotpolicing; Increasedrelianceontheexpertiseofoursocialserviceagenciesto
providerecreationalandeducationalopportunitiesaswellasconnectiontomentalhealthservices;
Aschool‐basedcurriculumtopromoteananti‐violencemessagethroughoutourcommunities;
Acommunity‐basededucationandawarenessprogramthatteacheseveryoneisresponsiblefortheirownpersonalsafety;thiscomponentwillempower,makepeopleawareoftheirsurroundings,mentallypreparedthemtoact,andeducateonthepropertoolsofdefense.
WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Womenhavemadetremendousgainsinthepast50years,butthereisstillapersistentgenderpaygap.ForthepopulationservedbyRosie’sPlace,thisgapissometimesinsurmountable.Asidefromthetraditionaljobmarketandcareeronestops,wewillattractandcollaboratewithbigandsmallbusinesscomingtoBoston.WearelookingverycloselyTheBrookingInstitute’srecentresearch3thatindicatesasof2011,26millionU.S.jobs—20percentofalljobs—requireahighlevelofknowledgeinanyoneSTEM(Science,Technology,Engineering,Math)field.However,halfofallSTEMjobsareavailabletoworkerswithoutafour‐yearcollegedegree,andthesejobspay$53,000onaverage—awage10percenthigherthanjobswithsimilareducationalrequirements.InMA,thistranslatestopossiblemorethan225,000jobspayinganaverageof$66,473.ThroughoutmycareerIhavebeenachampionforahigherminimumwage,payequityandtrainingopportunities.
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CandidatesforCityCouncilAt‐Large
Youmayvoteforuptofourcandidates
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SampleBallot
CandidatesforCityCouncilAt‐LargeIntheorderinwhichtheywillappearontheballot
MartinJKeogh
JackFKellyIII
AnnissaEssaibiGeorge
MichaelFFlaherty
AyannaSPressley
MichelleWu
StephenJMurphy
JeffreyMichaelRoss
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MartinKeogh
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?
Iwanttohelpfacilitatethebuildingofmoreaffordableunitsforlowincomefamilies.Thismaybedonethroughlinkagefundsthataredirectedtowardbuildingmoreunits,orbyrequiringlargedevelopmentprojectstosetasideaguaranteedamountofunitsforlowincome.Iwouldalsoliketorequireourlendinginstitutionstosetasideafundedloanpoolthatwillbeexpresslyloanedtofamilieswhomaynototherwisequalifyforhomeloans.
WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?
Iwouldadvocateformorefunding,bothprivateandpublic,tobeearmarkedforidentifyingandhelpingwomenandfamiliesinneed.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
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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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JackKelly
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Iamanadvocateforpeoplewhoareenteringtryingtimesinlife.Myownpersonallifehasexperiencedsuchastruggle.Somyguidingprincipleinissuessuchashousingforlowincomepeopleispersonal.Currently,thecityhasanaffordablehousingoptionformiddleincomepeople.Iwouldlooktolowertheincomethreshold,solowerincomepeoplecouldattainsuchhousingoptions.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?IwouldworkwiththenewMayortodemandmoreservicesbedirectedfromtheBostonpublichealthcommissiontoprogramsthatdirectlydealwiththehomelesspopulationasitpertainstowoman.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?Passandadvocatefortougherguncontrolmeasuresanddemandmorefundingforwoman'sprogramsdealingwithdomesticabuseandposttraumaticstressfromviolence.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Iwoulddemandanyeducationreformbudgetfundandprovideadditionalattentiontovocationaltrainingschoolsandprograms.Specifically,Iwouldpushforthesevocationalschoolstobeplacedinneighborhoodswherethedropoutandcrimerateismosturgent.
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CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
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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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.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
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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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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
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
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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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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
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
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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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StephenMurphyWhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?InJanuary,IwaselectedPresidentoftheCityCouncilforathirdterm.Myinauguraladdressfocusedonthreeissues:guncontrol,abalancedbudget,andaffordablehousingforBostonresidents.IspecificallycitedthedevelopmentoftheFairmount‐IndigoCommuterRailandthedevelopmentofaffordablehousingalongpublictransitlines.Ibelieveextremelylow‐incomehouseholdsshouldhavetheopportunitytoliveinthesekindsofdevelopment.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Ibelievemaintainingorexpandingourcommunityserviceswilladdresssomeoftheneedsofhomelesswomen.Onewaytodothisistocreateaspecificwomen'sjobtrainingprogramthatcanbeappliedtoallthesheltersacrossthecityandbeadoptedbysomeofthecommunitycenters.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
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Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolenceincludingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?IhavelongadvocatedformoreBostonPoliceDepartingwalkingpatrolsinourneighborhoods.ThepositiveoutcomesthatarecreatedbythepresenceandinteractionofBostonPoliceofficersiswelldocumented.Neighborhoodsseeadecreaseincrimeandanincreaseincommunityinvolvement.WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Isupportbusinessesthatpaytheiremployeesafairwageandencouragethemtoinvestinthecompanybyprovidingbenefitsandhelpingemployeestodeveloptheiruniqueskillssets.IcannotdeterminewhatbusinessesapplyandaregrantedbusinesslicensesinintheCity(thatisthepurviewoftheLicensingBoard),butIcanencouragethemtotreattheiremployeesfairly.
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JeffRoss
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Ibelieveininvestingintransitionhousingforextremelylow‐incomehouseholdsinBoston,andIstronglysupportbuildingmoresafe,accessibleaffordablehousingacrossthecityforlowandextremelylowincomeBostonians.AsaCityCouncilor,Iwilladvocateformorehousingoptionsandhaveanopendoorpolicytoworkwithadvocateswhohaveinnovativeideasforsolutionstothisimportantissue.WeneedhousingthatsupportsfamiliesandallowsforBPSstudentswholiveinlow‐incomefamiliestosucceedandhavetheopportunitytoexceldespitedifficultfamilysituations.WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?Ihavespentmycareerasanadvocateforvictimsofdomesticviolence,especiallyinimmigrantcommunitiesacrossBostonandMassachusetts.Inmyrolerepresentingwomenasanattorney,Ihaveactuallyseentheseuniqueissuesfromthefrontlines,andhaveworkedtofindwomenshorttermhousingandadvocatedfortheresourcestheyneed.Asacitycouncilor,Iwillbringtheseexperiencesandmyexpertiseinthisareatothejob,andworkhardtosimplifyreferralservicesandstreamlineanyprocessesthatserveasobstructionstofindingwomentheshorttermandlongtermhousingtheyneed.Iwillalsoworkhardtoraisetheprofileofhomelessnessissuesastheyimpactwomenandfamiliesacrossthecity.
CandidateforCityCouncilAt‐large
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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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CandidatesforCityCouncilDistrict7
Youmayvoteforonly1candidate
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SampleBallot
CandidatesforCityCouncilDistrict7Intheorderinwhichtheywillappearontheballot
RoyOwens
TitoJackson
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RoyOwens
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?WeInordertoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousing,wemustincludedfaithbasedorganizationsthatarebiblebasedestablishorganizations,thatsupportgoodhealthandmoralstandards.FaithBasedorganizationsusuallychargeless,showmorerespectforthepeopleandtheyshouldbeabletousetheirownguidelinestoruntheirownprojects.
WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?WecanapplythestandardsthatIhavesuggestedintheabovequestion.
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?TheCity,StateandFederalgovernmentshouldallowFaithBasedorganizationstocompeteforfundingbaseduponitabilitytohelpandmaintainhealthandwellestablishconduct.Thewomenshouldbeallowedtohavefreedomtochoosetheprogramstheywishtoparticipate.
CandidateforCityCouncilDistrict7
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WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?Inordertobringmorejobsandaccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,youhavetoopenupthefieldtoprovenestablishorganizations,suchastheFaithBaseOrganizations.AslongasourgovernmentinsiststhatithasalltheanswersanddoesnotincludeFaithBasedorganizationsthatmayhaveviablesolutionstohelpourcitizens,wewillneversucceedinprovidinglivingwages.
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TitoJackson
WhatwillyoudotoincreasethequalityandquantityofaffordablehousingforextremelylowincomehouseholdsinBoston?Iwillcontinuetosupporthousingthatisonethird,onethird,onethird‐meaning:onethirdforresidentswithlowerincomes,onethirdforpeoplewithmoderateincomesandonethirdatmarketrate.
WhatwouldyoudotoimproveandexpandservicestomeettheuniqueneedsofwomenexperiencinghomelessnessinBoston?IwouldcontinuetosupportorganizationslikeRosie’sPlaceandalsosupportStateandCityinitiativesthatfocusonputtingpeopleinpermanenthousingratherthanshelters.Bystabilizinghousing,youareabletobringtheresourcestothepeopleratherthanhavingthemgototheresources.
Whatareyourplanstoreducestreetviolence,includingviolencetowardswomenlivingonthestreets?ContinuetohighlightourEnoughisEnoughinitiativetoeradicateviolencefromourcommunitiesandtopromoteCORIfriendlyjobs.IwillcontinuetosupportRosie’splaceasanoasisofhopeandnourishmentforpoorandhomelesswomenandcontinuetopushforstrictersextraffickingregulations.
CandidateforCityCouncilDistrict7
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WhatisyourplantobringBostonmorejobsthataccommodateavarietyofskilllevels,payalivingwageandprovidebenefits?EnforcingtheBostonResidentsJobPolicy(BRJP)whichworkstoincreaseemploymentopportunitiesforBostonresidents,workersofcolorandwomenonCityOfBostonfundedconstructionprojectswhilemonitoringforcompliancewithlaborstandards.IwillalsocontinuesupportlaborandtheBuildingPathwaysprogramthathelpsprovidetraining,employmentandbenefitstothoseinneed.
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Formoreinformationoneachcandidate
CandidatesforMayor:JohnConnolly http://www.connollyforboston.comMartinJ.Walsh http://www.martywalsh.orgCandidatesforCityCouncilAt‐Large:MichaelFlaherty http://www.michaelflaherty.comAnnissaEssaibiGeorge http://annissaforboston.comJackKelly ` http://jackkellyforboston.comMartinKeogh http://www.martinjkeogh.comStephenMurphy http://stephenjmurphy.comAyannaPressley http://www.ayannapressley.comJeffRoss http://jeffrossboston.comMichelleWu http://michelleforboston.comCandidatesforCityCouncilDistrict7:TitoJackson http://titojacksonforboston.comRoyOwens http://www.royowensboston.mysite.com
CampaignWebsites
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ThisvoterguidewascreatedbythePublicPolicyProgramatRosie’sPlace.Rosie’sPlacedoesnotendorseanypoliticalcandidate.InformationinthisbookletispurelyaservicetovotingguestsandstaffofRosie’sPlace.
Informationinthisbookletwasobtainedfromthecandidatesandcampaignwebsites.
Formoreinformation,pleasecontact:
AndyMorganPublicPolicyAssistantRosie’sPlace889HarrisonAvenueBoston,MA02118617‐318‐0244
Acknowledgements
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Foundedin1974byKipTiernan,Rosie’sPlacewasthefirstdropinandemergencyshelterforwomenintheUnitedStates.Rosie'sPlaceiscommittedtoprovidingasafeandnurturingenvironmenttohelppoorandhomelesswomenmaintaintheirdignity,seekopportunityandfindsecurityintheirlives.
889HarrisonAvenue·Boston,MA02118617‐442‐9322·fax617‐442‐7825
www.rosiesplace.orgOctober,2013
“Communityanddemocracymustworkhandinhand,otherwisewehaveneither.”
‐KipTiernan