Issues

Charles Clemons, Mayor:  A New Boston

Over the years, Boston’s New Economy has bypassed much of the City. While affluent newcomers move into established neighborhoods, and gentrify others, too often have the interests of long-term and middle class residents been ignored.  I am focused on a number of issues that will make Boston better, more vibrant, accessible and affordable to all who live here.

Elderly

• Elderly Bostonians and those on fixed incomes are taxed out of their homes by an unaccountable assessing process through the city of Boston. Because of the high costs of property ownership, even responsible landlords are forced to charge rents beyond the ability of many working people to pay.  The elderly, now on a fixed income, live under the threat of being taxed out of their homes, losing all that they worked and struggled for during their lifetime. We should see our elderly as an asset and not a liability.

• Re-organize the city home assessment system so that the elderly in working-class neighborhoods are not taxed out of their homes I want to change that.  I call for additional abatements for the elderly.
• Affordable housing for the elderly.  There is no reason our elderly should be homeless.  As mayor I will immediately create 1,000 housing units across the city for the elderly
• End poverty among the elderly.  I will work with state and federal government to ensure that no senior in Boston is poor
• Encourage closer relationships between families and grandparents.
• Connect young people with the elderly for learning and greater appreciation between generations

Schools

Many of our public schools still do not work.  So, there is an uneven playing field. Poorly maintained buildings, untrained teachers and in-school violence remain impediments to creating a first-class public school system that works for every child in every neighborhood.  Too many of our schools do not properly educate our children; as a result, many of our students have low self-esteem, teachers are under pressure and parents feel helpless.  As mayor, I will urge the following:

• Quality schools in all communities. No exception. When we teach biology and math, the child should be at the center of this process and not testing goals
• Teachers throughout our public school system should reflect the diversity of the city
• Black, Latino and Asian history and civics in schools should become major aspects of the teaching curriculum
• Education for the future should be focused Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.)

To further strengthen our schools, I also propose the following:

• Increased parental involvement in the public schools
• School committee reform
• Increased teachers pay
• State of the art schools, first class facilities
• Work with families to ensure reduced violence in the schools

City Services

Much should be done to improve basic city services, because many residents of the city feel they are not getting the services they deserve. Many are frustrated with City Hall because it takes too long to respond and are loyal only to developers and campaign supporters.

By working with the people of Boston’s neighborhoods, I will strive to return accountable and responsive government to Boston.

As mayor, I will work to significantly improve city services that include:

• Snow removal in a timely manner
• Cleans streets.  Densely populated parts of the city deserve extra efforts around street cleaning
• Prompt garbage removal---properly dispose of trash, more services across the city (Dorchester---the largest neighborhood in the city)
• Timely street repair, especially potholes in the spring and bridges
• Property taxes  (affordability)---special abatements, regulations that ensure that the working-class and the elderly don’t get priced-out their homes

Public Safety

Safe streets remain a very significant issue in Boston which has not been adequately addressed.  If Boston is to thrive, economically and socially, its residents must feel secure that they can travel the street without fear.  I want to be the mayor, because I believe I can create a strategy that will reduce crime in Boston.  We also must adequately address the issue of gangs and murdered youth. I am a former police officer. Here are my positions:

• Firm believer in community policing---the public and police working together
• Police officers should be from the neighborhood they are assigned to
• Guns must be taken off the street
• Explore where the guns are coming from