City Council Candidate

The Worcester Phoenix
October 22 - 29, 1999

[Features]

Karen A. Nugent

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 - The key components of this program are stated in your question. A comprehensive program tied to rehabilitation. Education is, by far, the answer.
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 - If a reputable auditing firm provides a comprehensive cost benefit analysis; property owners abutting the site provide credit enhancements in exchange for a seat on an executive board overseeing stadium operations.
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 - Human Rights Commission report recommendations need to be implemented, enforced and reviewed quarterly by committees of jurisdiction with modifications made as 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?	Support - We also need to help create and support additional youth centers throughout the city.
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 - Properly implemented Arts Districts have resulted in positive economic development in other parts of the country.
6. Do you support or oppose increased funding for park maintenance and for expanding the city's tree-maintenance program?	Support - Additional consideration should include underutilized resources like community service in lieu of fines for indigent non-violent offenders.
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 - Economic spin-offs have not yet occurred. There are more empty storefronts than ever. There is little activity after the close of business.
*8. What is the one* thing that the city administration could do to improve downtown development?**	Aggressively exploit the most recent multimillion dollar fiber-optic telecommunications infrastructure to attract information technology companies to Worcester.
9. Do you support lower tax rates for business or for homeowners?	Business - We need to increase the tax base. Lowering the business tax rate and marketing it to businesses in a growth cycle is critical. We also need to develop a housing district to better utilize TIF's.
10. Has the city administration done its best to curb spending?	No - Practical observation indicates that common-sense efficiency has not been applied (i.e. ornate downtown, Main St., bus stop across from City Hall).
11. Which of the proposed routes for an airport access road do you support?	None at present. Alternative routes are currently under investigation pending anticipated traffic increase from Massport management outcomes.
12. What more can be done to encourage young entrepreneurs to succeed in Worcester?	More business-incubator centers. Venture capital formation, cooperative marketing. Support the one-stop business development program.
13. What is your idea of a fun night out in Worcester?	Dance at the downtown mega-plex with my intergenerational friends who have different tastes in music. Ice skate to music at Elm Park then warm up fireside in the park facility. Rollerblade at the indoor skate/board/bike park in District 4 while watching the youth of our city do stunts on their equipment.
14. Name one of the city's cultural resources that has languished because of poor marketing or leadership.	Our city parks. Adequate maintenance of existing park services to allow for full use of the facilities and fully integrating them into our neighborhoods is lacking.
15. Why should we vote for you?	Vote for me because I have the business education, marketing, management and proven sales skills necessary to help District 4 and the city of Worcester grow in the right direction. As a third-generation Worcester resident I would be proud to serve you.