Newly Elected City Councilors Discuss Worcester’s Future

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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Jessica A. Botelho, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Now that last week's election has come and gone, Worcester's three newly-elected councilmembers are focused on hoping to establish a safer community by adding more law enforcement, trimming the annual budget, promoting a business-friendly environment, making it easier for people to purchase homes, and more.

Local attorneys Michael T. Gaffney and Morris A. Bergman won two of Worcester's six at-large positions, unseating Michael Germain and Joseph O'Brien, as O’Brien did not seek re-election. Gary Rosen unseated William J. Eddy to win the District 5 council seat with 54 percent of the vote.

More Police Needed, Addressing Gemme

Gaffney believes one answer for a better, safer city is to beef up the police force. The biggest economic incentive, he said, is making sure people feel safe in their homes and businesses.

"We're short 50 police officers, and we have to make sure we get officers out there," said Gaffney. "If you get robbed, you're moving and your neighbors are probably going to move, too."

The newly-elected officials also shared their thoughts about Chief Gary Gemme.

While Gaffney doesn't agree with Gemme on a number of issues, he feels Gemme is doing his best. Without naming anyone, he said there is a councilmember who often "unfairly bashes" the Chief.

"He's short 50 police officers because you didn't give him the tools," Gaffney said of the councilmember. "You take away that much of the force and then go after him? To me, that's just ridiculous."

Bergman, a former member of the City's zoning board, who also ran for council in 2007 but lost, said he’s not in favor of replacing Gemme at this time.

“It's a tough job and Worcester's a big city,” Bergman said. “We have very low serious crime rate compared to other cities and towns of our size. With respect to what his role is, and that's to administer the Police Department, I think he's done a good job.”

In addition to being a retired high school teacher, Rosen is a former councilman at-large, as well as a former member of the Worcester School Committee who now hosts Rosen's Roundtable, a political and current issue program produced by WCCA TV13. He also doesn't think Gemme should be replaced; yet said he's aware of personnel issues.

"But I'd rather stay out of personnel issues, except city management," he said. "I don't get involved in that."

Investing In Homes And Businesses

For Bergman, one topic he’d like to get more involved in is something he feels is Worcester’s biggest issue: it's not marketed well.

"Worcester needs to market itself better across-the-board," he said. "I think we can do a better job promoting small businesses and removing regulatory obstacles to their success, and do a better job marketing our public high schools so we don't lose families. Our high schools are getting our kids into good colleges."

He went on to say that he would like to make buying homes easier for people. This, he said, would help the City flourish.

"We need to give people a chance to have a piece of the pie," Bergman said. "If you have a piece of the pie, you take pride in what you own, and your neighborhood becomes much more stable. We can do that by trying to match up some of the houses that are being foreclosed on with the people that are trying to get into these homes."

Gaffney is also interested in improving the business climate. As he wrote in a questionnaire to the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, he wants to "give commercial real estate holders an incentive to reinvest in the commercial property by fixing their taxes to the base year for a period of time commensurate with the investment."

Gaffney believes it's an innovative way to fill abandoned storefronts, which he says are not being rented because they are in "horrible" condition. He feels poor heating and cooling systems, along with single pane windows that don't block noise from local traffic, are just a few reasons they've been deserted.

"They're empty because they are not serviceable," he said.

Other top issues on his agenda are encouraging city officials to be more fiscally competent, along with safety issues. The city's "massive" unfunded liabilities are another a big concern.

"It's extremely important and we need to make some progress with that," Gaffney said. "It's simple; it's a budget priority. You can't say, 'let's build a skating rink,' or 'let's give $50,000 to something else.' We have to say, 'my job as a city councilor is to make sure the city is run properly, safely and is financially secure.'"

Council Needs More Debate

Speaking of finances, Gaffney said he only had one election endorsement, which won’t impact the way he votes as a councilmember. He wonders if the recent election will change the voting dynamics of the council, as it tends to vote unanimously.

"Hopefully, there will be a lot more debates on issues, and a lot more thought put into it," he said. "I don't have any endorsements other than the Telegram Gazette, so I don't owe anybody anything as far as groups go. When issues come up, I can maneuver."

Rosen had a similar answer. He said because he didn't have any endorsements, he's not tied to groups either. While he appreciates that fact that members of labor unions voted for him, he feels "independence is so important" as a councilmember.

"The three outgoing councilors are very strong supporters of labor [and] have been the three strongest of the 11," Rosen said. "It doesn't mean the three new ones coming in aren't in favor of labor, but I think we will look at the issues and be independent. At least I know I will, and I think that's what they City Council needs."

Bergman thinks bringing new people to the council with different backgrounds will promote more constructive debates. A different breakdown on votes, he said, is likely.

"Often times, 6-5 votes have the best discussions on issues because the issues are vetted and everyone's had their say,” Bergman said. “Not everyone's going to agree on everything, and sometimes there are going to be tough votes. But I think with certain issues, it's natural for everybody to agree on things that are no-brainers."

Non-Profits Should Contribute To The City

For Gaffney, his opinion about whether non-profit organizations should make payments to the City in lieu of taxes (PILOT) is a no-brainer. When asked about it, he answered with one word: "Yes," while Bergman said considering every non-profit across-the-board is a difficult call.

"With colleges, it gets tricky because you have very small religious institutions where it's tough to make the argument about what they should or shouldn't contribute, but clearly we need to do a better job," Bergman said, noting that Boston has a comprehensive program that influences colleges and universities to contribute. "I would suggest we follow that type of policy and agreement with colleges and universities we haven't had that type of discussion, and we need to."

Rosen also favors the idea of a PILOT program. He believes large non-profits, such as colleges, universities, hospitals and other bigger non-profits who can afford to contribute, should make payments. One of the main issues, he said, is they are not asked to pay.

"What's wrong with asking? There's nothing wrong with it. They can always say no," Rosen said. "Businesses and homeowners pay their fair share, and non-profits don't. They should pay for the services they are using."

Inclusion Of Minorities Is Necessary

Rosen, Bergman, and Gaffney also spoke of the City's minorities, who make up 40 percent of the population, yet the City employs a small fraction of that number. Bergman thinks elected officials need to take a closer look at who's applying, as well as how the application process is being advertised.

"You have to know those two variables first," he said. "If minorities don't know these jobs exist, or if they are applying for these jobs and not getting a fair shake, it matters to me."

Rosen shared similar sentiments. He hopes the entire city council focuses on the issue.

"We need to do everything we can to educate the minority community that these jobs are available and attainable," he said. "And I'll go one step further: I want to see more minorities running for office."

Gaffney was mum on details, but said he plans to address the subject soon.

"There's some unfairness going on, and I will be drafting something in the near future," he said.

Morris A. Bergman, another attorney who will be serving as a councilman at-large, is a former member of the City's zoning board. He said the biggest issue Worcester faces is that it's not marketed well. "Worcester needs to market itself better across-the-board," said Bergman.

Interaction With The Community

Rosen has plans for the future, as well. His main goals are to be visible, vocal, and attainable, so he intends to hold office-hours one Saturday of every month at McDonald's in Tatnuck Square in Ward 9, as well as the Burger King in Webster Square in Ward 7.

"The previous councilor didn't have office hours, and I felt in the past that District Councilors were more concerned with Ward 9 and less than Ward 7 because the votes weren't as high," said Rosen. "But I want to engage the people in the District. Decisions have been made by the administration and elected officials with little input from homeowners, renters, business owners and students."

He said the main purpose is to hear their feedback, as well as better educate them about issues. With a campaign slogan of "Bring 5 Alive," he aims to respond to all phone calls and emails he's anticipating as councilman.

"I want to work with the people," Rosen said, noting that he hopes to inspire constituents to run for City Council and School Committee in the future. "My brand of leadership is not something that the leader does for the people; it's something that the leader does with the people."

A Better Worcester

No matter what, they hope to enhance the City's assets. Giving all residents an opportunity to thrive is essential.

"I just want to see Worcester give itself a chance," Gaffney said. "We've got to focus on the things that matter."

Bergman feels the same.

"We have to stop focusing on what we don't do right and start telling a better story about what we do right," he said. "Our people have a lot to be proud of."

Rosen agrees.

"We have a pretty good story, but we don't tell it often enough and loud enough," he said.

They will be sworn in as councilmembers on January 2. The location and time of the ceremony are yet to be determined.

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