City Council Candidate

The Worcester Phoenix
October 22 - 29, 1999

[Features]

Raymond V. Mariano

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 - We need a comprehensive, coordinated, health and drug program that provides education and treatment on demand.
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 - A public-private partnership that used significant private funds and brought professional baseball to Worcester makes sense. Not only would a team bring thousands of people to our city, but it would be a great economic development asset.
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 - A civilian review board may only serve to create additional confusion. We need to use the existing boards and agencies more effectively.
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?	Support - As Mayor, I have encouraged the school department to also work with the Youth Center.
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 - The costs here are minimal and the potential benefits are substantial.
6. Do you support or oppose increased funding for park maintenance and for expanding the city's tree-maintenance program?	Support - The single largest number of complaints I receive is for tree maintenance. We need to do more to protect the vital urban resource.
7. Please rank (1 being the lowest, 5 being a high ranking) the city administration's efforts thus far to revitalize downtown. Please explain.	2,3 - We spend far too much time talking and meeting to develop plans and not nearly enough time on the road trying to recruit new business.
*8. What is the one* thing that the city administration could do to improve downtown development?**	The city needs an action plan for recruiting new business to our downtown. City officials should be on the road meeting with and recruiting new business to locate in our downtown.
9. Do you support lower tax rates for business or for homeowners?	Actually, I have proposed a three-year freeze for all property tax payers including residential and business. Today, our taxes are too high for everyone.
10. Has the city administration done its best to curb spending?	No - Only in the past year has the city administration joined the city council in efforts to curb spending. Hopefully things are changing and moving in the right direction.
11. Which of the proposed routes for an airport access road do you support?	First, the state must explain the need for such a road. In 1995 Massport said that no road was necessary without a "substantial" increase in passenger use. That increase has not occurred. In fact, a decrease has actually taken place. I believe that existing roadways can be enhanced to adequately meet all of the increased projections at our airport.
12. What more can be done to encourage young entrepreneurs to succeed in Worcester?	1) Keep taxes down. 2) Use innovative tools such as an Arts District. 3) Support incubator projects that provide resources to new start-up businesses.
13. What is your idea of a fun night out in Worcester?	Anything that involves being with my wife and children. Events like the July 4^th fireworks are great.
14. Name one of the city's cultural resources that has languished because of poor marketing or leadership.	There is no coordinated marketing for Worcester's many cultural resources. While each is an asset, I believe that we would benefit enormously from a coordinated marketing effort that promoted our entire portfolio of cultural resources.
15. Why should we vote for you?	I have focused considerable time and energy working to meet the challenges that face our children at school and in our neighborhoods. I have been able to bring government out into our neighborhoods to respond directly to the needs of ordinary citizens. I have been innovative and had the courage to successfully pursue ideas like an Arts District.