slides: Ten Challenges Currently Facing Worcester

Friday, August 29, 2014

Nicholas Handy, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Worcester’s new city manager must be able to balance a variety of issues, ranging from day-to-day operations to helping to foster the future of the city.

While Worcester still works to find the new city manager – the search is currently down to three finalists – many are beginning to examine both the candidates and the upcoming issues that the new city manager will have to face when brought into office.

Some of the top issues facing the new city manager range a variety of topics, demanding that the new city manager of Worcester be well rounded and ready to accept all challenges that the city is currently facing and will face in the future.

Check out the slideshow below to see some of the top issues that the new city manager will have to face.

Related Slideshow: Top Challenges Currently Facing Worcester

Prev Next

Economic Development

Paul Giorgio, Publisher of Pagio, Inc. and a GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

“One of the largest challenges is economic development and making sure that we are continuing to bring in new businesses. We also need to integrate neighborhoods into the larger city plan to make sure that no small businesses are being left behind.”

Prev Next

Transportation

Tim McGourthy, Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau

“We need to expand our public transportation options as well as out commuter rail service. Additionally, we need to bring more flights into our airport.”

Prev Next

Public Safety

Kate Toomey, Worcester City Councilor

“One challenge that our city is facing is working on public safety. We need to ensure that we stay on top of the drug and heroin addiction problems.”

Prev Next

Prioritizing Education

John Monfredo, Worcester School Committee member and a GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

“The new city manager will have to understand what is happening with education. The city has maintained a minimum budget of education; will the city look to better fund education?”

Prev Next

Community Involvement

Sarai Rivera, Worcester City Councilor

"Getting to know the different departments, neighrborhoods, and communities will be important for the next city manager. It's a lot to take in; it's a lot of learning and doing as you learn."

Prev Next

City Accountability

Bill McCarthy, Worcester Representative, Massachusetts Republican Party

"The city manager needs to hold all city employees accountable. We want to make sure that money is being spent wisely and that departments are being run smoothly."

Prev Next

City Infrastructure

Tim McGourthy, Executive Director, Worcester Regional Research Bureau

"Improving the city's infrastructure is just one of the many ways that Worcester can continue to drive our economic growth."

Prev Next

Lowering the Tax Rate

Michael Gaffney, Worcester City Councilor

“We really have to work on our business tax rate. Many malls and businesses are on the outskirts of Worcester because other cities’ tax rates are half of what Worcester’s are.”

Prev Next

Retaining Local Talent

Paul Giorgio, Publisher of Pagio, Inc. and a GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™

“I think that one of the challenges that Worcester must work on for a better future is the retention of college students, which all goes back to economic development of the city.”

Prev Next

Bring Taxable Business to Worcester

Bill McCarthy, Worcester Representative, Massachusetts Republican Party

“The city manager should work to bring more taxable businesses to Worcester, since there are so many hospitals and schools in Worcester that aren’t taxed. The city manager should also work to reward local businesses that have been in Worcester for a long time.”