City Council Candidate

The Worcester Phoenix
October 22 - 29, 1999

[Features]

Jerry R. Horton

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 - I am opposed to the needle-exchange program (NEP) that was proposed last year. I am concerned by the experience of other cities where such programs have been implemented. I believe that aggressive community outreach and drug rehabilitation are the proper, and effective, measures to reduce addiction to drugs and to halt the spread of infectious disease.
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?	I favor infrastructure improvements wherever they are needed, be they for residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, or other purposes. And I support public financing for such improvements. However, the city has many competing demands for borrowed capital. The investment community is concerned by the city's indebtedness and the cost of servicing that debt. I will scrutinize closely any proposals that address a clear, current, compelling need.
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 do not favor the creation of an independent civilian review board. The Worcester Police Department is staffed by professional officers, and these officers are answerable to their shift captains, the Internal Affairs Division, the police chief, and ultimately, the city manager. I do no believe adding a new layer of bureaucracy is necessary.
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?	No opinion
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?	I reiterate my position from Item (2) above.
6. Do you support or oppose increased funding for park maintenance and for expanding the city's tree-maintenance program?	Support - I support increased funding for park maintenance and for expanding the city's tree maintenance program. Here is a case where modest expenditure of public funds can yield huge improvements in the quality of life throughout the city, improvements that will last for many years. Also, I would encourage private interests to augment the city's efforts through donations and in-kind contributions.
7. Please rank (1 being the lowest, 5 being a high ranking) the city administration's efforts thus far to revitalize downtown. Please explain.	3.5 - I am encouraged by the impeding arrival of two new colleges. These new campuses and the eventual construction of the new courthouse will bring people to Main Street and surrounding areas. But I am concerned by the lack of tax-paying, commercial enterprises. The best measure of the vitality of downtown is the number of thriving businesses. I support measures to provide mixed zoning that will permit commercial establishments on ground floors, and housing units on upper floors in our downtown buildings.
*8. What is the one* thing that the city administration could do to improve downtown development?**	Lower the commercial property tax rate.
9. Do you support lower tax rates for business or for homeowners?	I support lower rates for BOTH! Short term there is little we can do to reduce the tax burden on our residential and commercial property owners. But Worcester must expand immediately its commercial tax base. Doing so will afford rate relief to current property owners. And to attract new commercial interests Worcester must begin by freezing all tax rates now, with the goal of reducing the tax rate over time.
10. Has the city administration done its best to curb spending?	I commend the city manager and his administration for their efforts to curb spending and avoid the need for yet another tax rate increase. But I do not feel that the administration has gone far enough. We need to scrutinize the budget closely and identify cost-saving measures that will not adversely affect the delivery of municipal services.
11. Which of the proposed routes for an airport access road do you support?	Increased airport use will lead inevitably to increased ground traffic, and we must ensure that this higher volume of traffic does not spill over onto our residential streets. I am not familiar enough with each of the proposed access road routes to have a clear favorite. The route chosen must make sense from a traffic engineering standpoint, but it must also be one that causes minimal disruption to the community, parks, and schools.
12. What more can be done to encourage young entrepreneurs to succeed in Worcester?	Make City Hall more business-friendly. Young entrepreneurs usually have less experience in dealing with public agencies. City Hall should reach out to all entrepreneurs, young and old alike, and offer assistance in the often daunting task of obtaining regulatory approvals and complying with municipal requirements.
13. What is your idea of a fun night out in Worcester?	A comedy show at Foothills, followed by a couple of hours of intensive browsing among the stacks at Tatnuck Booksellers.
14. Name one of the city's cultural resources that has languished because of poor marketing or leadership.	No opinion
15. Why should we vote for you?	For months I have been reaching out to the voters of District 1, asking for their concerns and for their opinions. I have made myself available in person, by phone, by mail, and by e-mail to everyone with a stake in the city. Those who have dealt with me will tell you that I am responsive, that I listen attentively, and that I formulate my positions based on the facts. I will provide vigorous, enthusiastic representation for the voters of District 1.