2015 Municipal Candidates Guide
Preliminary Election: Tuesday, September 8th
Election Day is Tuesday November 3rd, 2015
Polls open at 7am and close at 8pm
The Ballot will include
City Council At-Large
City Wide. Voters can select up to 6 out of 12 candidates
Mayor
City Wide. Voters can select up to 1 candidate
**Note: The Mayor is a member of the City Council. You must vote for your desired
candidate on the ballot twice: once as Councilor-At Large, and once as Mayor
School Committee
City Wide. Voters can select up to 6 out of 10 candidates
District City Councilors
Voters select 1 of 2 Candidates in D1, D2 &D4.
There is only one candidate on the ballot in D3 &D5.
To find your district go to http://www.worcesterma.gov/e-services/where-do-i-vote
The Candidates: City Council At-Large & Mayor
Morris A. Bergman*
Candidate for City Councilor At-Large
11 Kensington Heights
Worcester, MA 01602
Email: MOEBERGMAN2015.COM
Phone: (508) 981-5934
Current/Past Occupations:
Lawyer
Why are you running?
To help Worcester reach its potential as the
second largest City in New England in providing
economic opportunities and
a great quality of life to all its residents.
I am advocating for:
1) Creating greater opportunities for
homeownership for those that have historically
been unable to;
2) reducing "red tape" for new business
development and developing a free mentor
program to assists new business owners;
3) investing in our greenspace by developing
plans/policy for the replacement of trees removed
because of disease and/or street improvements.
William S Coleman III
Candidate for City Councilor At-Large, Mayor
36 Acushnet Ave.
Worcester 01606
508-826-1307 (talk or text)
billcoleman333@gmail.com
Facebook: William S. Coleman III
Current/Past Occupations:
Substitute Teacher Worcester Public Schools
Retired Nutrition Educator University of Mass,
Amherst
Why are you running?
I am running to bring the government to the
people and to make our City Council immediately
responsive to the concerns of our citizens.
I want to give the taxpayers and business
community of Worcester the government they
want and need.
I am advocating for:
Economic development projects that link our
neighborhoods and our citizens with employment
opportunities and neighborhood enhancement
projects.
2 The construction of new school buildings to
replace old antiquated buildings that are not safe
for our children and teachers, along with a state of
the art futuristic public safety center that would
incorporate police, fire, and state and federal
emergency responders.
3 A friendly business working environment with our
elected and appointed government officials and
the agencies that streamline permitting
processes. I want Worcester to be a leading
Business Enterprise Center that attracts
industries who want a great location, educated,
skilled and loyal workforce.
Michael Gaffney*
Candidate for City Council At-Large, Mayor
1 Bancroft Tower Rd
Worcester, MA 01609
Contact:
https://www.facebook.com/MichaelGaffneyforMa
yor,
http://www.michaelgaffneyworcestercitycouncil.
com
Past/Current Occupations:
Self-employed attorney in Worcester
Why are you running?:
To bring decisive leadership to city council so we
can restore safety to our streets and schools,
practice responsible fiscal management, and
implement an effective economic development
strategy.
I am advocating for:
I am advocating for the safety of our teachers and
students by providing the necessary resources
and proper administration in your schools.
I am advocating for safety in our streets by
improving our ability to fight crime; per MSN
th
Money we are ranked 9 worst city to retire in
because, based in recent crime data, Worcester
has a crime rate that is higher than 97% of cities
and towns in Massachusetts, and is one of the 100
most dangerous cities in the United States.
I am advocating for responsible fiscal
management and effective economic
development because our taxes continue to rise
with diminishing services as we focus on trickledown economics with large-scale projects while
abandoning small businesses.
Juan A. Gomez
Candidate for City Councilor At-Large
16 Northridge Street
Worcester, MA 01603
www.gomezforworcester.com;
juan_a_gomez@yahoo.com; 774-696-7123; on
Facebook - gomezforworcester
Current/Past Occupations:
President & CEO of CENTRO, formerly known as
Centro Las Americas. CENTRO
is the largest minority-run, multi-cultural, multiservice, human services
organization in Central Mass.
Why are you running?:
I am running, because I have the commitment to
our community, 30 year history of serving our
country, state and city, experience, education, and
the track record of success as a leader and
executive, to help this city move forward. I am
also the only candidate in this race with a clear
and comprehensive plan to bring jobs to our city.
I am advocating for:
I Support a comprehensive public safety strategy
to curb the current crime wave. I am tired of
hearing that Worcester is safe relative to Boston,
or some other city. No level of crime is
acceptable. And while zero crime may not be
attainable, we must address our constituent's
concerns that Worcester is not a safe city, and not
dismiss them by simply saying, "Worcester is a
safe".
Worcester's government must be much more
responsive to its constituents, much more
reflective of the people it serves. Our government
does not belong to two or three political elites.
And thus it should reflect the interests, desires
and priorities of all of us. When elected, I will
make sure that is the case.
Further, I believe we must improve academic
outcomes for all the 25,000 students in the
Worcester public schools. This means help
narrow the achievement gap, for students of color
and English language learners; but it also means
provide more opportunity for arts, spots and gifted
children. Finally, I believe that not all children are
able to succeed in the traditional classroom. For
those young people, we must provide additional
support, including clinical and behavioral health
interventions, as well as additional support to
their parents, in a setting more appropriate for
them. This will ensure that children interested in
and able to learn in a traditional classroom, have
fewer disruptions, and teachers will have a better
environment to teach.
Khrystian King
Candidate for City Councilor At-Large
9 Victoria Avenue
Worcester, MA 01607
www.King4Worcester.org
774-922-0368
Facebook: Khrystian King for City Council At Large
Current/Past Occupations:
Adolescent Social Worker at the Department of
Children and Families
Why are you running?
As a father, social worker and coach, I am running
for City Council At-Large to bring a true community
voice to the Council, a voice that will use hands-on
experience to fight for safer streets, good jobs and
great public schools for every neighborhood,
every family, and every child in the city.
I am advocating for:
A return to true community policing that will build
relationships and trust in every neighborhood,
and when combined with additional resources
dedicated to youth jobs and after-school
programs will lead a reduction in the violence that
has erupted in the City.
Targeted tax breaks for established businesses
when they expand and hire city residents, and tax
breaks for Women and Minority owned new
businesses will create a stable economic climate
and encourage a new generation of entrepreneurs
to step up and take a chance on Worcester.
Creating solid, well-paying jobs will allow families
to not just survive, but thrive, and will provide the
stability so many Worcester residents need to
realize their dreams.
Konstantina B. Lukes*
Candidate for City Councilor At-Large
24 Hadwen Road
Worcester, MA 01602
konlukes@aol.com
Current/Past Occupations
Why are you running?
I am advocating for:
Attorney at law
I am fighting for the future of Worcester, because
if gang violence, crime and drug use continue to
threaten business, residents and public schools,
then progress and our quality of life will be under
attack.
1. Collaboration of all law enforcement
agencies, starting with the State Police. To
maximize resources
2. Safety audit of all municipal buildings,
including but not limited to the review of the
effectiveness of installation of panic buttons,
sign-in sheets, internal cameras
3. Merger of police and fire departments with
oversight by a Public Safety Commissioner
Linda Parham
Candidate for City Council At-Large
21 Salisbury Street, 202
Worcester, MA 01609
Campaign website: www.lindaparham.com
Campaign email:
electlindaparham@gmail.com
Campaign facebook: Linda Parham for City
Councilor At-Large
Twitter:
Campaign phone: 774-232-1025
Community Organizer, ordained Reverend; Houses
of Faith Consultant.
The present City Council have has failed to realize
that we are Better Together and have not
accomplished engagement of all community
members in the civic process for a better quality
of life. We can only be successful if we provide
universal civic education and engagement to
achieve majority balance and equality rather a
majority having less access to resources. Ways
must be developed to engage citizens in an
equitable process for fair and just representation.
I want to be the City Council person that will be the
bridge from City Hall to the community. I want to
help people find their voices again.
1
Safe Neighborhoods-Many of the residents
have expressed feeling unsafe in their
neighborhoods. In order to achieve safety, we
must acknowledge and develop an inclusive
working relationship for all.
2 Public transportation with routes and times
that fit peoples needs-Many residents need
public transportation beyond the 9 a.m-11p.m.
hours, which will fit their needs. Especially our
elderly people who need to go get medicine
and shopping at certain times of the day and
month.
3 Stable Real Estate Taxes- By finding workable
solutions for our taxes we can generate good
economic development which create jobs and
community development which help the
residents. Residents are leaving the city to
work and settle in other locales.
Joseph M. Petty*
Candidate for City Councilor At-Large, Mayor
2 Grove Heights Drive
Worcester, MA 01605
Campaign phone: 774-314-7586
Campaign website: Josephpetty.com
Campaign email: petty4mayor@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mayorpetty
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mayor petty
Current/Past Occupations
Executive secretary, employee retirement system
of the Massachusetts housing finance agency
Why are you running?
I am committed to making Worcester a better
place for all of our citizens and Worcester is
changing and we are facing different challenges. I
want to make the city a better place because
Worcester is my touchstone not my stepping
stone.
I am advocating for:
Inclusiveness and openness in government.
Economic development that helps everyone in the
city.
A safety city for the residents of every
neighborhood.
Robert J. Sargent
Candidate for City Council At-Large
42 Indian Hill Rd
Worcester, MA 01606
www.robertjsargent.cpm
rsargent1013@gmail.com,
508-667-3898
facebook\robertsargentforcitycouncil.com
@robertjsargent
Worcester Public Schools Teacher
I am running because I love Worcester and want
to make a difference in the lives of my neighbors.
I am advocating for more public safety options for
ALL neighborhoods.
I am advocating for the retention of residents and
businesses within the city.
I am advocating for more support and resources
for the students of our public schools.
Kate Toomey*
Candidate for City Council At-Large
50 Ideal Road
Worcester, MA 01604
ToomeyforCouncil@gmail.com
508-735-8058
Facebook: toomeyforcouncil
Twitter: katetoomey
Current/Past Occupations:
Regional Outreach Representative; VP, Community
and External Affairs
Why are you running?:
I am running for reelection to continue the work I
have been doing for the past 10 years on the City
Council to support economic development, public
safety, quality public schools and updated
infrastructure. As the first woman chair of Public
Works, I led the approval of an unprecedented
investment in infrastructure improvements
resulting in 23 miles of streets and 22 miles of
sidewalks to
be repaved, improving the quality of life for
citizens including addressing much-needed ADA
compliance.
I am advocating for:
Continued public safety efforts to include
utilization of the Community Policing/Summer
Impact models; officers in the school;
upgrading technology; citizen engagement
and continued support of grant funding to
enable the expansion of these programs and
others as needed.
2 Improved educational system in
infrastructure environments that are safe and
conducive to learning.
3 Economic development initiatives to broaden
our tax base, including initiatives like the
Route 20
Sewer Project; advocating for crowd funding of
public recreational spaces; initiatives to
provide more small business start-up
opportunities; cooperative programs with
colleges and universities to site start-ups in
Worcester, and others.
Matthew E. Wally
Candidate for City Councilor At-Large
61 Berwick Street, Worcester, MA 01602,
774-239-0041.
www.Wallyforworcester.com
#WallyforWorcester
facebook.com/WallyForWorcester
wallyforworcester@gmail.com
Current/Past Occupations
TD Bank, 2011 - Present
Community Development Manager for New
England and New York
Worcester Community Housing Resources, Inc.,
2007-2011
Executive Director
Why are you running?
I am running for an at-large seat on the Worcester
City Council because I believe with the right vision
and focus these tremendous assets can be
strategically leveraged in order for Worcester to
fulfill its potential as a model of excellence for
midsized urban cities.
I am advocating for:
Public safety initiatives that protect our
neighborhoods.
Excellence in the Worcester Public Schools.
An increase in the number of owner occupied
multi-family properties.
Christina Zlody
Candidate for City Council At-Large
3 Lansing Ave
Worcester, MA 01605
tinazlody.worcester@gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/zlodyforworcester
Current/Past Occupations:
Why are you running?:
Program & Events Coordinator for the Visual &
Performing Arts Department at Clark University
Worcester's economy has always thrived on the
back of entrepreneurs and creators. Of makers
and builders. Of people working with their hands
to create a life for themselves and a better
Worcester.
Today, Worcester's resurgence is beginning to
thrive, once again, on the backs of small, creative
business owners. These are the artisans,
craftsmen, bakers, and makers that have always
been at the heart of our city. Our economy is
starting to grow again thanks to a new generation
of entrepreneurial business owners in areas such
as Quinsigamond Village, the Canal District,
Shrewsbury Street, Tatnuck Square, and
Downtown -- I want to be a part of this movement
to build a stronger Worcester.
I am advocating for:
We need to encourage and support new small
businesses to open and expand, thus growing job
numbers and our tax base.
2 Worcester should be the hub of small, creative
businesses in Massachusetts.
3 As an employee of Clark University I see our
college students taking the investment we've
made in them, and leaving for other cities. We
need to offer them opportunities to live, create,
and work in Worcester.
Coming Soon:
School Committee
Dianna Biancheria*
Donna Colorio
Cotey Collins
Nicola DAndrea
Jack Foley*
John Monfredo*
Molly McCullough
Tracy OConnell Novick*
Brian OConnell*
Hilda Ramirez*
District 1
Tony Economou*
Cindy Nguyen
District 2
Jennithan Cortes
Candy Mero-Carlson
Larry Shetler
Ana Sequera
District 4
Jacqueline Kostas
Sarai Rivera*
*Incumbent
