Endorsement: Daily News of Newburyport
Excerpted from Daily News of Newburyport (link)
“City government rarely moves fast – that goes for projects big and small. But right now, the Newburyport City Council is almost at a standstill when it comes to major projects that need to be done. At the top of the list is a new home for Newburyport Youth Services. Almost two years after the city purchased what was then called 57 Low St. from the National Guard, the project remains in limbo without an end in sight.
At-large Councilor Ed Cameron (who is running for reelection) said last month that his biggest concern going forward is the “foot dragging on several stalled or stalling projects.”
Although there are bigger concerns facing the city, Cameron is spot on.
Zoning matters and large-ticket expenditures need a two-thirds vote to be approved, which means if the full 11-member council is in session, eight votes are needed. That high threshold makes it too easy for councilors to get together and hold up projects for months, if not longer. In essence, it gives them more power than they should have.
We believe Ward 4 candidate Ben Harman, Ward 5 candidate Owen Smith and Ward 2 Councilor Jennie Donahue represent the best bets for changing that dynamic and making sure important projects aren’t stuck in committee or pushed back well beyond what makes sense.
All three candidates have demonstrated by deeds and words an unwavering commitment to moving NYS to 59 Low St. However, their presence on the council would go beyond NYS. Important zoning issues related to infrastructure, affordable housing and transforming parts of Storey Avenue into walkable villages will be coming soon. Transforming the former Brown School into affordable housing is also a major priority but as several councilors recently pointed out, NYS will likely get figured out before the Brown School will.
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Smith has made it crystal clear that moving NYS is a top priority for him and echoes Cameron’s concerns about a logjam on the council. Also, his experience with the Water and Sewer Commission will be invaluable when the city tackles its water supply issues in earnest.
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It is our belief that Harman, Smith and Donahue will best represent all of Newburyport and we encourage residents in those wards to vote for them.”
