City Council Candidate

The Worcester Phoenix
October 22 - 29, 1999

[Features]

Dennis L. Irish

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?	Support - I support the Harm and Risk Reduction model as a means to reduce the amount of intra-venous drug use and the spread of infectious diseases. This is a public health issue. Given the opportunity to reduce the spread of HIV and Hepatitis between intra-venous drug users, their partners and children, I don't see any choice but to do so.
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?	Support - As a member of the Worcester Sport's Council, I believe that sports in general and professional baseball in particular can play a significant role in our community's economic development. The city is essentially at its bonding capacity however, so that if we're to build a multi-use sports facility in Worcester I believe we'll have to look to the state and private investors to make the investment.
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 support the recent recommendations of the city's Human Rights Commission except for the provision requiring that complaints be filed at City Hall rather than with the Police Department. I would also suggest that the HRC be empowered with audit authority over the internal police review process.
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 - While I believe the Youth Center deserves support. I could not support "increased" funding without first knowing what the budgetary trade-offs might be, (e.g. would this funding come at the expense of after-school programming, etc?)
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?	Support - I would support city investment in infrastructure improvements consistent with the overall development of the center city. I would also support directing existing resources (i.e. block grant funding for housing) into this project.
6. Do you support or oppose increased funding for park maintenance and for expanding the city's tree-maintenance program?	Oppose - While I agree that park and street-side tree maintenance is necessary, I couldn't support "increased" municipal funding unless and until I was satisfied that alternative sources of funding -- state, federal or charitable -- were not available for this purpose and without knowing what the consequences would be for other programs.
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 - The administration is focusing resources on our downtown and this effort deserves the support of the city council and the private sector. I am encouraged by the creation of the Center City Development Council on which I sit and am optimistic that a plan for the revitalization of our downtown will result by the New Year. Union Station promises to be an icon for the reinvigoration of our city and with the transfer of responsibility for the development of this facility to the private sector I am optimistic it will prove to be a destination that will attract visitors.
*8. What is the one* thing that the city administration could do to improve downtown development?**	Encourage the development of market rate housing in the near downtown area such as the Pleasant/Chestnut Street initiative in which I have been an active participant for the past year.
9. Do you support lower tax rates for business or for homeowners?	I support lower tax rates for both homeowners and businesses. Our commercial/industrial and residential tax rates are among the highest in the state. They're stifling economic development and hurting homeowners. In order to achieve lower rates we have to limit spending and encourage economic development by making the city a more attractive site to do business.
10. Has the city administration done its best to curb spending?	No - The rate of increase in municipal spending for the past several years has exceeded the rate of inflation. This isn't acceptable. We must limit the growth in municipal spending and cut taxed to stimulate economic growth.
11. Which of the proposed routes for an airport access road do you support?	I do not have a preferred route at this time. I am optimistic that the route which results from the planning process spelled out by the Mass Highway Department will offer the best balance between the need for improved access to the airport and the interests of the citizens of Worcester including those neighborhoods along the route and I'd like to consider that recommendation.
12. What more can be done to encourage young entrepreneurs to succeed in Worcester?	A lower commercial/industrial and residential tax rate would encourage entrepreneurs of all ages to remain in, or locate in Worcester. We should then begin to market the city as New England's less crowded, less expensive, "business friendly" academic and medical capital, focusing specifically on the students who are already here and may be interested in bringing ideas to market.
13. What is your idea of a fun night out in Worcester?	A dinner with my wife and friends at one of Worcester's many fine restaurants followed by either a live theater or musical performance would be my preferred evening's entertainment.
14. Name one of the city's cultural resources that has languished because of poor marketing or leadership.	I am not aware of a cultural resource in the city that has languished for these reasons. Worcester has a remarkable set of art and cultural offerings however which in their entirety could benefit from regional marketing (e.g. weekend packages of music/theater tickets, museum entrance, ethnic dining, etc.) to better familiarize the millions of people who live within an hour's drive of the city of their existence.
15. Why should we vote for you?	If you want a city councilor who has deep roots in Worcester's neighborhoods, a thirty year track record of success in the private sector, leadership and community service, who believes that if the council, the administration and the private sector collectively and collaboratively focus on downtown renewal, neighborhood preservation and economic development that Worcester can be an even better place to live, work and play. Please give Dennis Irish one of your six at-large votes on November 2^nd.