Gas disaster, crime, drugs on Lawrence council candidates’ agendas

Oct. 30--DISTRICT A CITY COUNCIL

On the ballot, it's Frankie Caraballo challenging Maria de la Cruz to represent District A, located in the top right corner of the city, bordered by the Merrimack River on the east, Methuen on the north, and Fern Street to the west. Mounting an aggressive write-in campaign for the seat is former District A councilor Sandy Almonte.

Frankie Caraballo, 48, 139 Saratoga St. (Challenger)

Personal: Married, two children; born and raised in Lawrence.

Occupation: College student.

Political experience: Worked on numerous campaigns.

Question 1: What is the most important issue in District A?

A: Education is most important. If you don't have education you aren't going anywhere.

Question 2: What is the most important issue in the city?

A: Crime and drugs. It was my idea to put up the cameras. Cameras helped catch the guy who dropped the girl off at the hospital. The cameras help a lot.

Question 3: Why should people vote for you?

A: I help the homeless, work with people on parole and teach them how to keep clean. I pick up the needles before every summer starts.

Sandy Almonte, 47, of 83 Woodland St.

Personal: Single, three children and four grandchildren; lived in district 27 years.

Profession: Personal care attendant, immigration translator, hairdresser.

Prior political experience: District A city councilor 2010-16.

Question 1: What is the most important issue in District A?

A: Small gas leaks that have yet to be repaired; flooding; pollution in the ground; parking at Parthum School.

Question 2: What is the most important issue citywide?

A: High rent is affecting a lot of families including myself. Rents are so high, people have to share households. We need to be ready for the solution. We need to come together with a consensus and fight this together.

Question 3: Why should people vote for you?

A: I am active in youth services and I provide resources and support for anyone who needs to call me. I kept a fire station open. Someone needs to fight for the community.

Maria Delacruz, 26 Summit St. (Incumbent)

Personal: Married to Carlos Macario, two children, two grandchildren, born in Dominican Republic.

Occupation/profession: Teacher.

Political experience: One-term city councilor; involved in numerous local organizations.

Question 1: What is the biggest issue in District A?

A: The biggest issue facing District A, and every neighborhood in Lawrence is the quality of education our students are receiving. The best way to solve this is to get parents more involved in their children's education. As councilor, I will work to improve the communication between teachers and parents, so we can address the needs of each student and ensure that every student in the city of Lawrence receives the opportunity to fulfill their potential. A child's education occurs in both our homes and our schools, we need to work together to provide bright futures for our students.

Question 2: What is the most important issue citywide?

A: Lawrence is a beautiful city with a diverse population. We need to make sure that our streets are safe so that more people and businesses will want to come to Lawrence. My district is very close to I-495, speeding cars and suspicious activity are common in District A. I am working with and will continue to work with the police department on their community engagement initiative to reduce crime and encourage residents to report suspicious activity. The city has installed speed bumps, security cameras, and lights on streets where speeding and suspicious activity are prevalent.

Question 3: Why should people vote for you?

A: In addition to reducing crime and improving our education system, I will work with my fellow city councilors and the mayor on other initiatives such as improving after-school activities available to the children of Lawrence; restoring and renovating parks and playgrounds throughout the city so children have safe places to play; opening the old high school gymnasium to students after school so they can exercise in a safe, supervised environment.

DISTRICT B CITY COUNCIL

Incumbent Estela Reyes is running against Alcibiades Acosta to represent District B, an oddly shaped district north of the Merrimack River and bordered by Union Street to the east, Fern Street to the north, and Hampshire Street to the west.

Estela Reyes, 36 E. Haverhill St. (Incumbent)

Political experience: District B city councilor for past seven years.

Question 1: What is the most important issue in District B?

A: I work hard to represent District B to address any issues that my constituents bring to my attention throughout the year. I take great pride in attending my monthly neighborhood circle meetings and participate in my bi-weekly Lawrence City Council meetings. In doing this, I am able to make sure that the issues that are most important are addressed in a timely manner.

Question 2: What is the most important issue citywide?

A: I believe that as an elected city official, it is my responsibility to listen to my constituents and then vote on matters that come forth before me as one of the nine Lawrence city councilors. No matter is too small and all issues are important.

Question 3: Why should people vote for you?

A: Lawrence has improved in public safety, public services and education. Our city employees from every department work hard to address the many issues and concerns our constituents have on a daily basis. I am very thankful for their collective cooperation throughout the year. Along with the great administration of Mayor Dan Rivera, I wish to continue this effort.

Alcibiades Acosta, 237 Jackson St. (Challenger)

Did not respond to questions.

DISTRICT D CITY COUNCIL

Lee Fickenworth challenges incumbent Jeovanny Rodriguez to represent District D, which is comprised of neighborhoods north of the Merrimack River to Haverhill Street and east of Hampshire Street to the Methuen line.

Lee Fickenworth, 34 Cross St. (Challenger)

Personal: Single, mother of two children, one of whom was murdered in June 2009.

Political experience: Volunteered and participated in numerous local campaigns for six years; created and organized Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims' six years ago with the help of community leaders and friends; participated in Stop the Violence marches; marched for the fire and police; participated in many candlelight vigils.

Occupation: IRS quality reviewer and data transcriber for 17 years; retired on disability

Question 1: What's the most important issue in District D?

There are a lot of issues in District D. Some of the issues do not apply to all of the district. My personal list is drug dealing, homeless, hookers, winter parking, trash collection and snow plowing. If I have to choose one I would say helping the homeless. It has been a big issue in Lawrence and especially in District D. Rents are too high, leaving people in the cold. I will suggest to the council to establish a place to help the homeless, making sure the money appropriated goes to help the homeless and not for someone to get paid big dollars.

Question 2: What's the most important issue in the city?

Extra youth activities. Open gym, inexpensive activities especially during the winter months for the youth to participate in. Volunteers at school gyms.

Question 3: What's your personal wish list for improvements to Lawrence?

My wish list would have to be, my own personal wish, which is for all the cold cases of murdered victims to be solved.

Jeovanny Rodriguez, 32 Gale St. (Incumbent)

Professional: Civil engineer; master of science in civil engineering from UMass-Lowell, 2008.

Political experience: Two-term city councilor; current City Council vice president; former School Committee member, 2014-16.

Question: What are the most important issues in District D and the city?

A: The city of Lawrence has many issues, the most serious issues can be defined under public safety. We are all affected by the opioid epidemic in some way. My fellow councilors and I must support the Lawrence Police Department and continue working with agencies to combat these issues. Since September 2018, the gas crisis has also become a public safety issue bringing instability to our city. We must hold Colombia Gas accountable and continue working with the Department of Public Utilities to ensure that Colombia Gas' procedures align with the rules and regulations that exist so that we do not have another crisis.

DISTRICT E CITY COUNCIL

Incumbent David Abdoo is facing challenger Jose L. Madera Jr. in District E, made up of South Lawrence west of Broadway.

David Abdoo, 52, of 54 Stevens Ave.

Personal: Married to Stephanie Smith Abdoo, Esq.; two teenage children, Elizabeth and Michael.

Occupation: Chief of staff, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, since January 2019.

Political experience: Elected District E councilor in 2007 and again in 2015 and 2017, serving as chairman of both the Committees on Budget & Finance, as well as Personnel. Lawrence Planning Board member for almost nine years.

Question 1: What is the biggest issue in District E and what will you do to resolve it?

The biggest issue that continues to challenge District E is maintaining the highest level of "quality of life" for all residents. There are many city ordinances that need to be respected and enforced, whether it's cars speeding through school zones or on our local streets, drug use in our recreational and common spaces or simply respecting "the peace" of our neighbors. A primary reason I am running for re-election is to assure that Columbia Gas remains responsible for their promises to make us whole again. There has been progress made thus far, there is much to do.

Question 2: What is the biggest issue in the city you think you can have the most impact on?

The most important civic issue that I believe I can continue to work on, and make an impact upon, is ensuring the highest level of dialogue in the public space. As public servants, we must maintain a higher level of decorum and collegial partnerships among the elected, appointed and self-appointed leaders of our community. I remain dedicated to those values daily, and if re-elected, will continue to be a leader among our community leaders and advocates. Our youth, public schools, most vulnerable people, and hard-working residents require our best performance.

Question 3: What is your wish list of the best ways to improve Lawrence in the next two years?

Maintain and improve upon our city operating and capital finances. We must have a higher-level of dialogue with respect to the future of our city's housing stock and its relationship to a flourishing school system, enhanced public safety and facilities, better enforcement of our current city ordinances, and improved quality of life for all of our residents. Elected Lawrence public servants must be free of divisiveness and wedge issues that keep us from being our best selves in the service to all the people of Lawrence.

Jose' L. Madera Jr. of 138 Newton St.

Occupation: Tradesman, boxing instructor, started an at-risk youth boxing program 10 years ago.

Political experience: None given.

Personal: Of Puerto Rican descent, born in Brooklyn, New York, moved to Lawrence in 1991; 1993 GLTS graduate in carpentry; father of five children -- four are high-school graduates, 1 college graduate and one still in Lawrence Public Schools; homeowner and a longtime resident of Lawrence.

Question 1: What is the biggest issue in District E and what will you do to resolve it?

The biggest issue in District E is the gas issue. I am a fully qualified gas worker with over 50-plus certifications in gas. I assisted in repairing the gas leak three weeks ago. I would like to implement some safety precautions for any contractors working on any utility in our city. First is making sure we hire the right workers that have the right qualifications to perform the task at hand. Also with an overseer making sure all work is being performed in compliance and safely.

Question 2: What is the biggest issue in the city you think you can have the most impact on?

One of the biggest issues throughout the city is the opioid crisis. It has a huge effect on the way of living in our city. It has a snowball effect contributing to homelessness, robberies, burglaries to support their addiction. We need programs to help clean and keep clean these addicts.

Question 3: What is your wish list of the best ways to improve Lawrence in the next two years?

For the next two years I would like the streets cleaned up of homeless people, pan handlers, drug addicts. We also need more programs for the youth, to help give them structure and guidance to enable them to be productive members of society.

DISTRICT F

Incumbent Marc Laplante is facing challenger Gregory Delrosario in District F, made up of South Lawrence east of Broadway to North Andover line.

Marc Laplante, 53, 29 Durso Ave.

Personal: Married with three children.

Occupation: Attorney, employed by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Political experience: Seven-term incumbent city councilor.

Relevant experience: Currently the governor's appointee to the state's Housing Appeals Committee; member of the Colonial Heights neighborhood association, the South Common Central neighborhood association, the Mount Vernon neighborhood association, the Knights of Columbus and St. Patrick's Parish. Previously involved with the Boy Scouts of America and the South Lawrence East Little League; former chairman of the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority. Recipient of the 2019 Eartha Dengler History Award from the Lawrence History Center for creating the Lawrence WW1 Project.

Question 1: What is the biggest issue in District F and what will you do to resolve it?

A: Quality of life is a big issue. It's the little things, like loud music. At the end of the day, people just want to relax, but instead they hear a heavy bass sound or a car without a muffler. A great moment is shattered. It's intrusive. I support police taking these issues more seriously, handing out tickets to folks who are repeat offenders.

Question 2: What is the biggest issue in the city you think you, as one of 9 city councilors, can have the most impact on?

A: After police and fire, the Inspectional Services Department needs more focus and support. There are a lot of safety issues they deal with, including food safety, building codes, illegal apartments, overcrowding of apartments. Places are not up to code. I don't know who's standing for the people being shoe-horned into these apartments.

Question 3: What is your wish list of the best ways to improve Lawrence in the next two years?

A: Get the parking garage reopened. Until it's fixed, I'll keep pushing for it. It's costing taxpayers when it's closed. Where is the money for the shuttle-bus coming from? We have an obligation to fix it. We need to work with Columbia Gas. The pipes need to be fixed. They messed up.

Gregory Delrosario, 44, of 41B Market St.

Personal: Born in Dominican Republic, resident of Lawrence for 26 years. Married to Rosanna Delrosario, father of six with two grandchildren.

Occupation: Professional driver of school bus and Lawrence city bus.

Political experience: None given.

Question 1: What is the biggest issue in District F and what will you do to resolve it?

The south of Lawrence has not been the same after the gas explosions of September 2018. A large number of businesses threaten to close their operations, due to a significant decline in their sales. District F, mostly populated by low-income Latinos, needs a more effective representation. The District F councilor must be in permanent contact with the people and try to connect the needs of the community with the public offer of services, for the benefit of each and every one of the residents of South Lawrence.

Question 2: What is the biggest issue in the city you think you, as one of 9 city councilors, can have the most impact on?

For decades, the councilors who have been elected have been placed in support groups or rejection of the administration on duty. A councilor is elected to fight for the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens of his community. District F deserves a better representation and I promise to work in body and soul, mind and heart, to achieve a better city for all. We will work to help create a city of opportunities.

Question 3: What is your wish list of the best ways to improve Lawrence in the next two years?

Start by turning Lawrence into a city of law and order, with higher levels of transparency and control of the city's assets. Work on the unification of the entire leadership of Lawrence, look for the solutions that allow improvement, the life of the citizen of the city and to reduce the gap of opportunities for all and leave behind, the condition of dependency, which we have always had.

AT-LARGE

These councilors represent the entire city. There are three at-large seats available and five candidates.

Celina Reyes, 42, of 76 Coolidge St.

Personal: Born in La Vega, Dominican Republic; three children, Jose, 25, Emely, 18, and Kathy, 14.

Occupation: Small business owner and educator for 10 years with Child Development Inc.; community organizer at Lawrence CommunityWorks.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Services, 2015, at Springfield College; master's degree in organization and leadership, 2017.

Question 1: What is the biggest problem or issue you see facing the city at this moment that you, as an at-large councilor, can help solve or improve or have some kind of impact on?

A: The economy is one of the backbones of any community. We face a lack of job and economic opportunities in our community, which is a systemic problem statewide especially in inner cities. Our youth graduate from high school and then college, but they struggle to find well-paying jobs to move forward. These young and talented people are forced to look for better opportunities outside the city, and so, we lose an incredible workforce.

Question 2: Do you believe Columbia Gas should be banned from Lawrence, given the Sept. 13, 2018 disaster and the ensuing, more recent problems with gas leaks?

A: I believe that our local and state elected officials, along with the Department of Public Utilities, can work together to ensure our ordinances and laws are enforced to hold any company accountable for their actions or negligence. There is always room for improvement. As an elected official, I will push ordinances and legislative actions that make our city safer.

Question 3: What have you done, as a citizen of the city, that people should know about and which would lead them to vote for you?

A: Volunteer at SEIU Local 888 and SEIU Local 509 since 2006. Elected as the president of the Chapter of Childcare in 2014 to represent educators in our union and then reelected in 2017 and 2019. Volunteer at Lawrence CommunityWorks and SEIU Community Action since 2006. Participated in the Pay Sick Day campaign in Massachusetts in 2016, and later in the fight to increase the minimum wage across the state. Part of the battle Save Our Public Schools, and the Pay Medical Family Leave campaign.

Wander DeJesus Morel, 39, of 79 Manchester St.

Personal: Single father of Manuel Morel, 11. Born and raised in Lawrence, graduate of Central Catholic High School, associates degree from Dean College in Franklin, attended Umass Amherst on a football scholarship, dropped out after injury from car accident.

Occupation: Case-worker for youth living at a residential program; now owns fitness company, Wander Wellness Inc. Fitness, built on premise that physical exercise provides a mental well-being that has been proven to help in the process of drug rehabilitation and prevention. These problems can be lower if given the proper fitness instructions.

Question 1: What is the biggest problem or issue you see facing the city at this moment that you, as an at-large councilor, can help solve or improve or have some kind of impact on?

A: One of the biggest issues no one in this community is worrying about nor much attention goes toward is the health of this community. An article was written with alarming news brought to light in 2013. Numbers of childhood and community obesity are high and getting higher and still no attention. They can fix and worry about all the regular promises politicians promise during this time/elections. The health of a community matters.

Question 2: Do you believe Columbia Gas should be banned from Lawrence, given the Sept. 13, 2018 disaster and the ensuing, more recent problems with gas leaks?

A: Columbia Gas should've never been allowed to continue work since that major incident. A year later more issues are coming up and the community is still suffering for their mistakes/carelessness. A year into it, why not just let them finish what they started? This is for a long run.

Question 3: What have you done, as a citizen of the city, that people should know about and which would lead them to vote for you?

A: Formed in 2012, Wander Wellness is a group exercise program that has its headquarters and was created to serve the city of Lawrence and neighboring communities. Our mission is to provide the same level of guidance that I received and more to make underserved communities prosperous in health and well-being.

Richard Russell, 73, of 34 Cross St.

Personal: Widower, no children; Vietnam War veteran.

Occupation: Land surveyor on a variety of highway, transportation, construction, and redevelopment projects. Presently work part-time as a Terrestrial Data Acquisition Specialist for several small land surveying firms in Southern New Hampshire.

Political experience: I have been involved several political campaigns including the sheriff's race in 2016, several recall campaigns in the city of Lawrence, and have run for councillor at large several times in the past.

Question 1: What is the biggest problem or issue you see facing the city at this moment that you, as an at-large councilor, can help solve or improve or have some kind of impact on?

A: The biggest issue that I see in the city is with how the city of Lawrence deals with the homeless. If the city is accepting state and federal funds for the homeless, then those funds deserve to be spent helping the homeless. Accountability of how these funds are utilized should be brought out for all to see.

Question 2: Do you believe Columbia Gas should be banned from Lawrence, given the Sept. 13, 2018 disaster and the ensuing, more recent problems with gas leaks?

A: Columbia Gas should not be banned from working in the city. They should be forced to go back to the system that they had in place prior to their cost-cutting efforts, when they cut on-site inspectors from their budgets. Also, they should be forced to pay for the cost of city employees checking on these 'on site' inspectors.

Question 3: What have you done, as a citizen of the city, that people should know about and which would lead them to vote for you?

A: My activities have included several years of working distributing food at veterans food pantries, being involved in the annual Valley Patriot Charity BASH, participant in various river cleanup and needle pickups over the years. I also have taken thousands of photographs of various civic and ethnic events and posted them for the public to view free of charge.

Pavel Payano, 33, of 74 Farley St. (Incumbent)

Profession: Business consultant

Education: Robert Frost School, Lawrence High School, class of 2002; UMass Amherst, political science, Class of 2006; UMass Boston, masters in public affairs, 2011; Suffolk University Law School, juris doctor, 2015.

Political/Civic Experience: At-large city councilor, now serving as chairman of the Public Safety Committee; Special Assistant to Congresswoman Niki Tsongas; vice chairman and member of the Lawrence School Committee; Member, board of directors of Lawrence Family Development, Inc.; founder of the Greater Lawrence Young Professionals Network; board of director member of the Greater Lawrence Summer Fund; co-Founder of the Mill City Leadership Institute.

Question 1: What is the biggest problem or issue you see facing the city at this moment that you, as an at-large councilor, can help solve or improve or have some kind of impact on?

A: Unfortunately our city is faced with myriad issues that city leaders need to simultaneously address. The cost of rent has increased tremendously for working class families and the increase in property taxes has greatly affected homeowners. Businesses in south Lawrence are still struggling from the effects of last years gas crisis. Our education system has improved, however, more funding is required to ensure that our children have the same level of education as those in wealthier communities.

Question 2: Do you believe Columbia Gas should be banned from Lawrence, given the Sept. 13, 2018 disaster and the ensuing, more recent problems with gas leaks?

A: The National Transportation Safety Board has made it clear that Columbia Gas should have been aware of the risks they took and they should have taken proper precautions. Their failure to follow safety rules created one of the biggest emergency crises in the history of our city. We lost one of our own, families were displaced, homes were destroyed, and businesses are still suffering. They put our lives, homes and livelihood at risk for the sake of profit. They should be forced to not increase prices in Lawrence and either have their license suspended or at least be faced with strong financial penalties.

Question 3: What have you done, as a citizen of the city, that people should know about and which would lead them to vote for you?

A: I've been a tireless advocate for policies that address the vital issues our community is faced with. From enacting progressive recycling mandates, to advocating for greater public school investments, to helping secure additional police officers, and being a relentless voice following the gas explosions that uprooted our community. My commitment has been and remains steadfast in advocating for the needs of all constituents, to continue to transform and revitalize our community and to ensure our city government is transparent and accountable to all.

Ana Levy, age, 167 Prospect St. (Incumbent.)

Did not answer questions.

NOTE: Jackie Marmol's name is on the ballot. However, she wrote a letter to the city clerk asking that her name be removed from the ballot. The city clerk told her she missed the deadline to get her name off the ballot. Nonetheless, Marmol is asking people not to vote for her and says she is not running for an at-large City Council seat.

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