Mayor Howard's Inaugural Address

Thank you, and I wish everyone a belated happy and healthy new year. Congratulations are in order for all of the elected officials who take their oaths of office this evening and to their families and friends who gave of their time and money to help these men and women achieve their dreams of serving their hometown as elected public officials. 

         Likewise thanks are in order for those public officials who are moving on but have served so well: Councilor-at-Large Martin Gately, Ward 4 Councilor Jeffrey Donahue, Ward 8 Councilor Richard Correale, Ward 3 School Committee Member Michael Schiess, Ward 6 School Committee Member Donna Spinelli, former Ward 7 Councilor Chris Simonelli, and deceased Ward 6 Councilor Eileen Fay, who died unexpectedly while in office March of this past year. And let us also remember the servicemen and women who continue to perform their duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

         I personally would like to take a moment to thank my family, friends and supporters who have made it possible for me to return to the office of Mayor for a fifth term.

         The elected newcomers, their colleagues and all of you will be happy to hear that as my service as Mayor has lengthened, my speeches have become shorter.

         But tonight I do want to touch briefly on two topics. First, being the high regard I have for the men and women on this stage. Second, what we collectively should expect to deal with in the coming two years.

         I would like to mention several officeholders individually, not to the exclusion of any others, but because I believe their stories are unique to Malden politics and I believe their colleagues would agree. 

First, Councilor Paul Condon. With his unopposed re-election as the Ward 2 Councilor, Paul will be on the verge of completing 24 years of service to his lifelong neighborhood (Edgeworth). Any opponents, potential or real, have come to find out what most opponents of Paul’s Malden High School football teams found – he is an immovable object! And for good reason – he knows his ward, his neighbors and friends, he does his homework, is always willing to listen, he virtually always has the right take on issues and often guides his colleagues to the proper conclusion on Council issues. My congratulations to you, Paul, and your family. Thank you for your continued dedication to Ward 2 and our city.

         Next, Councilor-at-Large Gregory Lucey. By moving from the School Committee to his at-large seat on the City Council, Greg follows in the footsteps of his father, Edwin, who was a Councilor-at-Large for 10 years before serving as Mayor. Their combined service exceeds 24 years. This kind of intergenerational call to public service is not unique to Massachusetts or New England. But Greg’s swearing in will result in the uncommon event of a Lucey serving the City of Malden in an elected capacity throughout parts of five decades. And with Greg’s popularity, I am sure he can extend the streak if he desires to stay that long.

         On the School Committee, Lisa D’Arcangelo will assume the seat for Ward 5. Lisa and her opponent Adam Weldai were both first-time campaigners. After a hard fought preliminary campaign, both candidates worked diligently throughout the neighborhood resulting in a final election that is the epitome of the democratic electoral process: a one vote decision. They should both be congratulated for their determination and for providing Malden with its most spirited political race. We hope Lisa brings the same tenacity to her School Committee business.

         Finally, after many years of helping his son John get elected as Ward 8 Councilor, John Froio joins the School Committee after a 28 year career as a teacher in the system. He instantly becomes the new Bill Mini and we hope John’s tenure is as productive as Bill’s was on that body.

         These are all unique Malden stories, which help make Malden the great community it is. These impressive individual profiles are only surpassed by the realization that they are but a part of the make up of the two governmental bodies that will lead Malden. They will make up two of the best local government bodies in our state. They come from a variety of backgrounds, they are successful in their chosen fields and, most importantly, they know Malden.

         My optimism for their potential is heightened by my experiences traveling our state meeting with other mayors and officeholders. More often than not, when there is a failure of government to address the important issues, it is because of officeholders’ failure to collaborate or a lack of available qualified people to analyze a problem and share the burden of implementing a solution. That is not the case with these people and, in fact, the opposite is the case. Their talents and commitment will produce great and lasting results.

Their potential is promising. However, the most important question is, what will they accomplish? What is it that we hope they will accomplish with their collective efforts? What should their “work” be about? What will they be able to look back on with pride when at some future inaugural event they are leaving public office like several of their colleagues are this evening?

Many important decisions have been made by past councils regarding land use, capital investments, schools and parks. So many initiatives are in place or underway in many corners of our community that we could assume much of the important work has been done. But in the term ahead, I believe there are several key issues on the horizon that will weigh heavily on Malden’s future. We should touch on them briefly here. 

            Financial Stability

Even with all of the economic ups and downs that our local economy and state government have endured, Malden has continued to fare well. By seeking out major grants and partnering with our neighboring communities to draw in resources to expand our tax base, we have creatively kept things moving forward. The average tax bill for a local homeowner remains about 230th out of the Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns. 

Even though that may seem modest in comparison to other communities, we know that the burden is substantial. But unless there is significant change in revenue sharing policies at the state level, we will have to find a way to balance the need to have quality public services with a reasonable tax burden on property owners, homeowners in particular. Meeting this challenge will call for a truthful assessment of our options and a sensible financial plan.

            Neighborhood Stability

Almost everything that has been done over the past 12 years has been done with the intention of making our neighborhoods desirable places in which to live and raise a family. This is our central theme and purpose. New schools, new recreational facilities, citywide beautification and the elimination of nuisance activity have been put in place with the intention of making life better for our citizens. 

But I believe this Council can do more. Making summer nights quieter, or winter sidewalks clearer, or small squares like Maplewood, Judson or Linden safer, more vibrant and productive are all achievable goals that we can work towards together in order to make living in Malden the most enjoyable experience it can be.

            Educational Achievement

It is clear from all the evidence that Maldonians want quality in education and they want quality choice in education as well. I believe the stage has been set to have the Malden Public Schools distinguish themselves from other urban systems and begin to set the standard for systemic and lasting high performance in our schools.

New Superintendent Sid Smith leads a team of administrators and educators who are focused on student achievement system-wide. Now is the time to have every family do their part to provide every child with the right attitude and motivation to learn.

This School Committee should follow the recent lead of its predecessors in supporting the Superintendent as we pursue strategies that will bring results: early education; expanded day and technological enhancement. We must be committed to giving reform initiatives a chance to succeed and must maintain the goal of high achievement.

         As we pursue these big picture goals, we will also need a sustained day-to-day effort to ensure the success of some specific projects: 

• ·The delivery of a first-class senior center
• ·The renovation of Malden High School for a modern day curriculum
• ·A remodeled Macdonald Stadium
• ·Laying out of the initial phases of the Bike to the Sea project
• ·Bringing on line the new continuing care community at the former Malden Hospital site
• ·A revitalized Malden Square, which reflects both our small neighborhood New England tradition and our urban assets and proximity to Boston
• ·A sensitive and sensible solution to the future of McFadden Manor
• ·Implementing a better citywide energy conservation plan

All of these matters will provide challenges for us. There is no doubt in my mind that Malden voters have sent the right people to do the work necessary to make us successful in meeting these challenges.

         As for me, over the next four years I will continue to bring to the forefront the proposals and policies that go to the core of local government: that is to improve the quality of life for the citizens of this city; and, especially, to validate the investment of those who choose to make Malden home for their families or their businesses and who pay the price of local government services.  

I believe our citizens expect leadership from their chief executive officer and I take my re-election as a direct call to do that.

         In closing, I will echo the critical message of almost every inaugural speech I have given: by working together for the betterment of all Maldonians and not for the promotion of separate agendas, we can accomplish much. 

These governing bodies, as they will be constituted for the next two years and maybe beyond, have the opportunity to set the standard for local government effectiveness by collaborating on the important issues of the day: neighborhood quality of life, education, sensible redevelopment of core areas and the delivery of day-to-day government services.

         As we begin that effort together, I have great confidence that the elected leaders assembled here this evening will deliver measurable, substantial and long-lasting results regardless of the issue and regardless of the circumstances.

         Let’s begin the work in the same uplifting spirit that we experience here this evening as we celebrate our unique place in the history of this great community.