Dear Neighbors
Dear Neighbors,
Now more than ever Worcester needs a new responsible voice in office— truthful & tough. And I am asking for your financial support for this November’s election to be that force on the upcoming Worcester City Council.
The neighborhoods with the highest foreclosures, like whole sections of District 4, are devastated by the increasing vacancies, property degradation, increase in violence, emptying and destabilizing of our neighborhoods and schools. In areas with fewer foreclosures, homeowners are witnessing dramatic property value drops leaving significant numbers of our neighbors with more debt than property value. Worcester City Hall has taken some steps, but by taking a leadership role in partnership with community members, we can reach hundreds of our neighbors with information to stay in their homes!
Similarly, small businesses hurt by the larger economy and the devastation of our neighborhoods are more likely to suffer while tax resources and programs of the City continue to focus on large downtown projects, not the businesses that are the backbone of our neighborhoods and the proven economic engine and job providers in our neighborhoods. I have and continue to support organizations like Worcester Local First, which promotes the critical role that our small businesses play in keeping our local economy strong.
It is critical for our City Councilors to work together to provide clear direction for our City Manager, who works for the people of this City through the responsive guidance of your City Council. For a district councilor, you must demand resources brought to your neighborhoods, residents, and businesses. It cannot be just about speaking out— it is how your City Councilor vote that counts. That is why I need your support in this campaign.
While we have seen unemployment rising, we have also seen the effects of global climate change causing major flash flooding in some parts of our city. A strong local focus on green job development and building is a no brainer to combating both. Especially in the neighborhoods who already struggle with poorer health and worse environment, stimulus money most come home to us!
We can no longer accept the cutting of critical jobs and services to avoid the task of rebalancing our taxes so that those who still have money help contribute to a stronger and thriving city. We must tap new sources of revenue; the lowest possible residential tax rate is also no longer supporting our most basic standard of quality of life. We need leaders to balance reasonable tax rates with the need for good schools, safe streets, healthcare and jobs that our local economy needs to rebuild!
Likewise, the City must turn its resources to answers for our neighborhoods. We need affordable and neighborhood-sized solutions: like rebuilding our public pools at comparable size- costing the City no more than their initial proposal for three mega-pools, most of which were proposed for neighborhoods that don’t need them the most.
As your District 4 City Councilor I will vote for you. I will make sure that the perspectives and priorities of my neighbors in District 4 are a priority of the City Council and the City Manager and work hard to make sure that all of your needs are addressed. With your help, we can ensure that District 4 is a safe, prosperous, and resourced community.
Your Candidate,
Grace RossAmerican Zeitgeist release