Letter: Camuso Seeks Re-Election to City Council

My name is Paul A Camuso and I am a candidate for re-election to the Medford City Council. As a lifelong resident of Medford and a graduate of our schools, I am committed to making a positive contribution to the community that has given me so much during my youth. My experience on the School Committee and City Council has prepared me well to deal with the many challenges that face our city today. I am running for re-election because I believe that I can continue to be a leader on the City Council at this critical time in our city's progress.

 My track record as a City Councilor clearly demonstrates that I get back to every caller and make sure that each issue is handled in a thorough, courteous, timely and effective way. As taxpayers and citizens you have the right to have your questions and concerns answered promptly.

We must do more to attract taxpaying business to Medford. We cannot allow storefronts to remain vacant and major national and regional businesses to go elsewhere. I have supported bringing in quality businesses that do not affect the integrity of our neighborhoods. Medford Square and other the other squares throughout our community must be allowed to prosper through the addition of attractive eateries, shops, services and adequate parking. As chairperson of the licensing subcommittee I have played an important and ongoing role in moving this priority forward. My experience is vital to our progress.

Our Senior Citizens deserve special attention. They have contributed so much over the years and we should do what we can to help them live comfortably despite the constraints of fixed incomes. Appropriate abatements and discounts should be available for critical services. As a City Councilor I proposed the idea of the “Senior Citizen Safety Zones” that was passed by the traffic commission to protect the senior citizens in our community. We should identify expanded part-time work opportunities for seniors who have many valuable skills. We could compensate them with tax relief and/or supplemental wages. As the population in our city gets older we should anticipate the needs and plan for sufficient resources to support our seniors in a dignified and effective manner.

Our children and young adults deserve every opportunity to live in a community that offers a quality education and recreational programs that help them grow to their fullest potential. As a City Councilor I look forward to working with the Medford School Committee on an upcoming proposal to advance the technology for our students. Our students must have access to the tools of the twenty-first century as they continue their education and enter the workforce.

If re-elected to the Medford City Council I will continue working to improve our park programs, summer recreation, and affiliations with the various youth sports and arts organizations. As a young man I benefited greatly from organized activity and I want others to have even better opportunities. Medford is filled with History and the Arts. We need to encourage more open activities that celebrate our heritage and provide quality space to those in the creative arts. As a member of the city council I have always been a supporter of the arts. Although I was in the minority, I fought for space for the art and artists by supporting the Swan School proposal for an arts center that would have expanded cultural opportunities in Medford.

As your City Councilor I have worked to preserve an effective level of Public Safety Services. The budget that was passed this fiscal year includes additional staffing for both the police and fire department. Our Police and Fire Departments cannot be understaffed and we must make sure that they get the appropriate training necessary to use the latest technology and be knowledgeable of current issues and hazards. Medford Citizens need to be sure that they have a level of protection that will keep every home and business safe and secure. Public Safety services must be proactive and neighborhood sensitive. Our 911 system should be the very best. 

I will continue supporting legislation to systematically address the infrastructure in our city. Streets and sidewalks should be kept in excellent repair. Trees and parks need to be comprehensively maintained. Water and sewer pipes must be checked in an organized way.

I have met with Mayor McGlynn and other key administrators and let my feelings known as to what I think should be included in the upcoming capital improvement plan. The capital improvement plan is going to allow our city to grow and enhance the quality of life for our residents in so many ways.

The environment and open space must be respected. I will continue supporting and working with our environmental agent on air pollution and other related concerns that effect our community. We must always remember that each and every project must be checked out for environmental impact as a first criteria prior to implementation.

As a community we have many important issues before us that will benefit from my experience. I believe that we can meet the challenges if we are committed to an ambitious agenda and have the knowledge, creativity and tenacity to follow through with forward thinking solutions. I am prepared to address our issues with bold proposals and to build community consensus and to ensure that they can be implemented and sustained

I have not been afraid to stand up and fight for what I believe in even when sometimes I am in the minority.

I believe that I have been a responsive voice for you on the City Council and an effective catalyst for progress. I respectfully ask that you cast one of your City Council votes for Paul A Camuso.