City Council Candidate

The Worcester Phoenix
October 22 - 29, 1999

[Features]

Cornelius Neil Brosnan

Questions	Answers
1. Last year, the city council rejected a comprehensive needle-exchange program that was to be based in clinics and tied to rehabilitation. Should this proposal be put forth again, would you support or oppose?	Oppose - In my opinion the needle exchange will not work. I also think that giving an addict the tools to use an illegal drug is not something I could endorse.
2. A minor league baseball league has been proposed for Worcester and a special task force is currently considering different sites within the city to construct a stadium. Would you support or oppose public financing for infrastructure improvements?	This question is not a simple yes or no. It is the responsibility of government to provide infrastructure for development of our city. However before we invest in any improvements we must have a private developer willing to build a stadium as a private enterprise.
3. In the past year, the internal-affairs process within the Worcester Police Department has been scrutinized both by the press and by certain members of the council. A number of city groups called for an independent civilian review board to be formed. Do you support or oppose such a board?	Oppose - I believe the Human Rights Commission is the proper board for any oversight of the internal affairs department. The commission itself just released a report to the manager that agrees with my opinion.
4. The Worcester Youth Center provides services and programs for Worcester's most troubled youth. Currently, the city has only provided a small one-time grant to the center. Do you support or oppose increased city funding for the Youth Center?	Oppose - The Youth Center should continue to operate on grants, private donations, but if is not already doing so it should be applying for community development block grant funds and local law enforcement block grant funds.
5. This year, Mayor Raymond Mariano and Arts Worcester proposed the development of an Arts District on Main Street from Federal Square to Hammond Street. The project will likely require public money for infrastructure improvements and development costs. Do you support or oppose city funding for this project?	As in the question about the stadium I believe that government should provide the infrastructure. Again I want to stress that private developers must come forward and fund the actual development.
6. Do you support or oppose increased funding for park maintenance and for expanding the city's tree-maintenance program?	Support - I strongly support proper funding of our parks department. The only way we can save our street trees and maintain the improvements to our parks is by bringing the funding up to a reasonable level for such a large city. I also think the messenger department, part of the parks department budget, should be merged with a department that more reflects the activity of that group.
7. Please rank (1 being the lowest, 5 being a high ranking) the city administration's efforts thus far to revitalize downtown. Please explain.	2 - Patience is a virtue. The chief development officer has put together a plan and is implementing it now. Also things are beginning to happen downtown, such as the Neescom project, the Mass Pharmacological College, Curry College, etc.
*8. What is the one* thing that the city administration could do to improve downtown development?**	I would like to see market rate housing on the upper floors of some of the buildings that have remained underutilized. The street level should continue to be retail storefronts. This would bring activity downtown every day seven days a week.
9. Do you support lower tax rates for business or for homeowners?	The tax rate starts at even (fiscal 99 was $24.05 for a single rate) from there the rate is classified, typically the residential rate goes down and the commercial rate goes up because the council classifies each type of rate differently. I would like to see more balance in the two rates.
10. Has the city administration done its best to curb spending?	No - The administration has begun to hold the line on spending and I applaud those efforts, however much more needs to be done not only in reducing spending but also to redirect funds to areas that are being neglected.
11. Which of the proposed routes for an airport access road do you support?	There are seven routes on the table and one more that commissioner Amorello is looking at. The final decision will be made by Mass Highway. The route I favor would have the least impact on our parks and neighborhoods.
12. What more can be done to encourage young entrepreneurs to succeed in Worcester?	Entrepreneurs come in all ages. To attract and hold upstart business we must make Worcester easy to do business with and make it more affordable, which we discussed in a previous question.
13. What is your idea of a fun night out in Worcester?
14. Name one of the city's cultural resources that has languished because of poor marketing or leadership.
15. Why should we vote for you?