City Council Candidate

The Worcester Phoenix
October 22 - 29, 1999

[Features]

Janice L. Nadeau

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 - Oppose needle exchange but have worked to get more substance abuse rehabilitation beds and programs in place including the indigenous leader outreach program.
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 - Supporting infrastructure funding is not a problem. I do however have a problem with public funds being used to build the stadium.
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 - Oppose the civilian review board, but support our Human Rights Commission's power to work with and look into any problems.
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?	I believe the city provides and funds many of the programs that the Youth Center utilizes. I do not support city funds being used in programs such as summer jobs.
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 - Very much so. This area of Main St. has needed help. Once the city has implemented the PIP Task Force proposals I think the ARTSWorcester proposal would bring that area of the city back to a vibrant downtown area.
6. Do you support or oppose increased funding for park maintenance and for expanding the city's tree-maintenance program?	Support - I voted last year and the year before for more funding, in particular for our forestry division. I would rather see us maintain the parks we have than to borrow millions as we do to develop more parks.
7. Please rank (1 being the lowest, 5 being a high ranking) the city administration's efforts thus far to revitalize downtown. Please explain.	Med City (2), Convention Center (2), Union Station (2), TIF's (2), Streetscape (3), Pharmacy College (2)
*8. What is the one* thing that the city administration could do to improve downtown development?**	Improve traffic patterns such as making Pleasant St. two-way and the opening of Main St.
9. Do you support lower tax rates for business or for homeowners?	Homeowners - We cannot drive our homeowners out to the suburbs with any higher a tax rate. Our small businesses need to have a stable neighborhood to stay in business. I have voted many TIF's as incentives to bring more business and industry into the city.
10. Has the city administration done its best to curb spending?	I believe the city's indebtedness is much too high. We need to stop borrowing to the limit so that we do not have to tax to the limit and bring up our bonding.
11. Which of the proposed routes for an airport access road do you support?	I do not think any of the southern alternatives are access enough. We either will have to have access from the northern end of the region as well as a southern access or make significant changes on I-290.
12. What more can be done to encourage young entrepreneurs to succeed in Worcester?	Encourage them to work with the Small Business Association and the Minority Business Association. Increase the micro loan funding and 108 loan guarantees.
13. What is your idea of a fun night out in Worcester?	Participating in neighborhood events and Latino Festival - supporting the local athletic events such as the IceCats - go to dinner with friends and family.
14. Name one of the city's cultural resources that has languished because of poor marketing or leadership.	Inner City Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Parks. Worcester is unique because of its many neighborhoods and neighborhood parks. This city needs to invest more in stabilizing our inner city neighborhoods and maintenance of neighborhood parks such as Cookson Field, Castle Street, and Hadwen Park.
15. Why should we vote for you?	I ask for your vote to allow me to continue working with our neighborhoods to make our city a better, safer and more affordable place for all. I came to the city council from a background of neighborhood organizing and activism. I am proud of the strides we have made in District 4 and want to continue to work together to address critical issues such as neighborhood revitalization, safe, affordable housing, and pubic safety.