THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO MELINDA
As a third generation Haverhill resident, Melinda has watched Haverhill – and the challenges it faces – change over the years. By focusing on the issues that matter most to the people that make Haverhill home, Melinda would work to revitalize the community and secure a more prosperous future for all residents.
1
PUBLIC SAFETY
Public Safety will continue to be a priority for Melinda. She fought for the addition of new police officers and new fire engines, and as your Mayor, will continue to fight for a new fire station. Safety is vital to maintaining a good quality of life for everyone. We need a strong police presence, for our firefighters to have the equipment they need, and clean, well lit streets and walkways. A safe city attracts new young professionals and families and encourages residents to stay and make Haverhill their home.
2
EDUCATION
As mayor, Melinda will ensure a safe, healthy environment for the students of Haverhill. Important work has been done but we must maintain our gains, by supporting teachers and staff, while addressing a maintenance program for the school buildings we worked so hard to get. Further, Melinda believes that we need to preserve the mental health of our students who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 in terms of social growth and mental well-being. The city of Haverhill must create a channel of communication and collaboration between home, school, and community.
3
INFASTRUCTURE, GROWTH & RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT
Melinda will focus on the maintenance of our existing infrastructure and restore what has been run down. The revitalization of the east side of Downtown on Merrimac Street is a priority for Melinda: it’s where her business and her family’s business were located. We want it to feel like the vibrant downtown our parents knew. In terms of new development, the city should partner with developers and use their investment as a fund for first-time homebuyers to encourage home ownership in our town. Melinda will uplift coalitions already doing this good work in our community.
4
TAXES, RESPONSIBLE SPENDING & TRANSPARENCY
The people of Haverhill deserve a justification for every tax dollar spent by the city. As Mayor, Melinda will ensure transparency between elected officials, public employees, and their constituents. By doing so, our community can trust that their elected officials are truly working on behalf of their interests. As a long time city councilor and candidate to be your next Mayor, Melinda voted YES on the recent debt exclusion to invest in our children and our future. She knows first hand the negative impact that the Hale Hospital Debt has had on this city for the past 20 years. Approving the debt exclusion will allow us to maintain and invest in ALL schools and our other essential services such as police, fire and public works.
5
ENVIRONMENT
Because of Haverhill’s industrial history, we are fighting public health risks and apprehension from developers about our soil, especially in our environmental justice communities. These concerns we face carry the weight of the health of our neighbors and friends in addition to the well-being of our environment. We will also continue to monitor our town’s water supply and extend the height of the river wall to protect buildings from incredible insurance expenses and water damage.
6
MENTAL & BEHAVIOR HEALTH SERVICES
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly increased demand for mental health services in our community. The Haverhill City Council has authorized the Mayor to sign a contract with NFI to do mental health and substance use prevention work in the schools and in the community. The contract will give the Council the statistics needed to compete for the federal Drug Free Communities grant- funding drug counseling for youth and adults in crisis. These statistics are critical to giving the Council the answers they need to apply solutions.