Linda Morad on the Issues
ON EDUCATION:
Our students are our most valuable resource in the City of New Bedford, and our public education system is our way of safeguarding that resource. I am proud to say that I was educated in the New Bedford Public Schools. I attended Elwyn Campbell Elementary School and Normandin Junior High School, and I am a proud graduate of the Class of 1972 from New Bedford High School. I received an outstanding education in our school system and have wonderful memories of hard working, dedicated teachers, principals, support personnel and parents who made my educational experience the base for all my future success in my personal life and professional career.
But there were issues and problems in the New Bedford School system back in the early 1970s, and tragically some of those same issues and problems exist today. The New Bedford School System is broken and needs to be reformed. The changes need to be immediate and bold. And these actions require the commitment and support of the entire community. The future of our children depends on this.
I am upfront and honest in stating that I alone do not have the answers to all of the problems and issues that face our school department today, but I do believe that as a resident of this City and as your representative in city government, it is my responsibility to ensure that our children are receiving the best education possible. We must also be sure that New Bedford has a bold plan to fix the issues of our school system today, and a long term vision as to changes that need to be implemented for the future success of our education system.
It is my responsibility as a member of the City Council to fund with taxpayer money the education budget of the New Bedford School Department, and to make sure that your tax dollars are spent to ensure the children are given an opportunity to receive the best education possible and this education prepare them for the challenges they will face as an adult living in our City.
I take this responsibility very seriously. During my tenure on the Council I was adamant that budget line items be expanded upon so that I could ensure that funds were being allocated directly to the educational needs of our children and to the supplies our teachers required to provide the tools needed in the classroom. Unfortunately, I was a solitary voice in this quest and I was routinely dismissed.
It is an outrage that the building facilities, teaching tools and computer equipment that exist in our schools are archaic and, in so many cases, not functional. I am appalled that we continue to fund money to school supplies that are often ineffective teaching tools for the children of today and do not allow the students' minds to be challenged and expanded through the power of technology.
To support the success of our school system, I have:
As Councillor at Large I will continue to work with educators, administrators and parents to identify innovative practices that will work in New Bedford and to ensure that the children in our schools are educated in a manner that will allow them to succeed as graduates of our schools and members of our community.
The time in New Bedford may finally be right to make the changes necessary to fix the broken and ineffective school system that has existed for decades. The time may be finally right to ensure that this entire City take responsibility for the education of our kids. The time may finally be right to have leadership that ensures that we work collaboratively to be innovative in the education of our children and the support of our dedicated educators who want our children to succeed. I hope to be part of the team that brings our school system back to a sterling reputation, one where our kids are proud to say that they are graduates of the New Bedford Public School system.
Our students are our most valuable resource in the City of New Bedford, and our public education system is our way of safeguarding that resource. I am proud to say that I was educated in the New Bedford Public Schools. I attended Elwyn Campbell Elementary School and Normandin Junior High School, and I am a proud graduate of the Class of 1972 from New Bedford High School. I received an outstanding education in our school system and have wonderful memories of hard working, dedicated teachers, principals, support personnel and parents who made my educational experience the base for all my future success in my personal life and professional career.
But there were issues and problems in the New Bedford School system back in the early 1970s, and tragically some of those same issues and problems exist today. The New Bedford School System is broken and needs to be reformed. The changes need to be immediate and bold. And these actions require the commitment and support of the entire community. The future of our children depends on this.
I am upfront and honest in stating that I alone do not have the answers to all of the problems and issues that face our school department today, but I do believe that as a resident of this City and as your representative in city government, it is my responsibility to ensure that our children are receiving the best education possible. We must also be sure that New Bedford has a bold plan to fix the issues of our school system today, and a long term vision as to changes that need to be implemented for the future success of our education system.
It is my responsibility as a member of the City Council to fund with taxpayer money the education budget of the New Bedford School Department, and to make sure that your tax dollars are spent to ensure the children are given an opportunity to receive the best education possible and this education prepare them for the challenges they will face as an adult living in our City.
I take this responsibility very seriously. During my tenure on the Council I was adamant that budget line items be expanded upon so that I could ensure that funds were being allocated directly to the educational needs of our children and to the supplies our teachers required to provide the tools needed in the classroom. Unfortunately, I was a solitary voice in this quest and I was routinely dismissed.
It is an outrage that the building facilities, teaching tools and computer equipment that exist in our schools are archaic and, in so many cases, not functional. I am appalled that we continue to fund money to school supplies that are often ineffective teaching tools for the children of today and do not allow the students' minds to be challenged and expanded through the power of technology.
To support the success of our school system, I have:
- -served on the School Council at three elementary schools: Elwyn Campbell, Casimir Pulaski, and Jireh Swift.
- -served on the School Council at Normandin Middle School and the Advisory Board at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School.
- -attended events during and after school and interacting with students, teachers, administrators and parents, gaining knowledge firsthand of the issues and challenges they were facing.
- -worked to safeguard school department budget line items to ensure that our school department remains accountable to our students.
- -made it a priority to listen to, understand, build relationships and work collaborate with the elected School Committee, school administration, teachers, and parents for the betterment of the school district and for day-to-day education of our students.
As Councillor at Large I will continue to work with educators, administrators and parents to identify innovative practices that will work in New Bedford and to ensure that the children in our schools are educated in a manner that will allow them to succeed as graduates of our schools and members of our community.
The time in New Bedford may finally be right to make the changes necessary to fix the broken and ineffective school system that has existed for decades. The time may be finally right to ensure that this entire City take responsibility for the education of our kids. The time may finally be right to have leadership that ensures that we work collaboratively to be innovative in the education of our children and the support of our dedicated educators who want our children to succeed. I hope to be part of the team that brings our school system back to a sterling reputation, one where our kids are proud to say that they are graduates of the New Bedford Public School system.
ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:
The role of the City Council is limited as it relates to direct economic development and the creation of jobs in our City. However, the City Council does play an important role in ensuring that issues related to the delivery of City services, zoning, business fees and property taxes are structured in such way that are conducive to attracting new business to New Bedford. Supporting these important aspects of economic development will ensure that business will grow in New Bedford, create jobs, and increase the tax base which in turn will improve New Bedford’s economy.
I have the experience necessary from both my extensive private sector business background and my wealth of knowledge as to the workings of our City government to be a strong advocate and supporter for business development in New Bedford.
Additionally, it is critical that through government policy, we encourage existing business owners to expand
and reinvest their business assets here in our City versus moving to a surrounding community. I understand zoning and tax assessment policy in our City and can make a positive contribution as Councillor at Large to the business community in these areas.
To bolster economic development and jobs in the City of New Bedford, I have:
As Councillor at Large I will continue to support small and large employers in our City and strive to provide them with the tools they need to ensure their success. I will continue to be conservative with regard to tax assessment and fees in an effort to provide some relief to business owners and encourage them to expand and reinvest these savings back into their business which in turn will strengthen New Bedford’s economy. I will continue to promote zoning changes in various areas of our City that will promote business opportunities, but also protect existing neighborhoods and the quality of life of both the residents and the business owners.
The role of the City Council is limited as it relates to direct economic development and the creation of jobs in our City. However, the City Council does play an important role in ensuring that issues related to the delivery of City services, zoning, business fees and property taxes are structured in such way that are conducive to attracting new business to New Bedford. Supporting these important aspects of economic development will ensure that business will grow in New Bedford, create jobs, and increase the tax base which in turn will improve New Bedford’s economy.
I have the experience necessary from both my extensive private sector business background and my wealth of knowledge as to the workings of our City government to be a strong advocate and supporter for business development in New Bedford.
Additionally, it is critical that through government policy, we encourage existing business owners to expand
and reinvest their business assets here in our City versus moving to a surrounding community. I understand zoning and tax assessment policy in our City and can make a positive contribution as Councillor at Large to the business community in these areas.
To bolster economic development and jobs in the City of New Bedford, I have:
- - worked closely with the Executive Director of the New Bedford Business Park and the Board of Trustees of the Greater New Bedford Industrial Foundation as a liaison to various City departments, boards, and commissions during their tremendous expansion and beautification efforts of the Park.
- - worked on behalf of small business owners with City department heads to ensure services and permits were provided on a timely basis, often representing business owners at Planning, Zoning, Traffic, and Conservation Commission meetings.
- -participated frequently in various business group meetings, including the North End Business Association, South End Business Association, Downtown New Bedford, Inc., the Greater New Bedford Chamber of Commerce, and the New Bedford Economic Development council and maintained a strong working relationship with the management team at the Greater New Bedford Career center.
- - forged partnerships that were beneficial, ensuring direct communication with business owners to understand their needs and serve as an effective liaison for them with City government.
As Councillor at Large I will continue to support small and large employers in our City and strive to provide them with the tools they need to ensure their success. I will continue to be conservative with regard to tax assessment and fees in an effort to provide some relief to business owners and encourage them to expand and reinvest these savings back into their business which in turn will strengthen New Bedford’s economy. I will continue to promote zoning changes in various areas of our City that will promote business opportunities, but also protect existing neighborhoods and the quality of life of both the residents and the business owners.
ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOODS:
Public safety of our residents and quality of life in our neighborhoods are of upmost importance to the growth of our City and are directly linked to continued economic development and the creation of jobs for New Bedford.
We are fortunate here in New Bedford to have a highly trained police department that has developed effective working relationships with various State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. We have witnessed the positive results of these relationships in several high profile incidents and arrests over the past several years.
But there is another aspect of Public Safety and Neighborhoods that has been disregarded over the past several years, and that is the strength of our neighborhoods residents and community groups. These groups are comprised of the citizens of our City that have a real stake in their neighborhoods.
I strongly believe that public safety is a community effort and that more can be accomplished to improve the safety and quality of life in New Bedford by encouraging the direct involvement of the residents of our City and empowering neighborhood groups to work together with the various City Departments and law enforcement on issues such as community policing, infrastructure improvements, cleanliness, abandoned buildings, zoning and parks and playgrounds.
I truly believe that a policy that promotes listening to and empowering these neighborhood groups will reenergize the neighborhood leaders, increase attendance at the neighborhood meeting and thereby improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods across our City.
To support public safety and neighborhood involvement in the City, I have:
During my Councillor At Large campaign I have continued to attend neighborhood and community group meetings across the City. I will continue to do this when elected as Councillor at Large.
Public safety of our residents and quality of life in our neighborhoods are of upmost importance to the growth of our City and are directly linked to continued economic development and the creation of jobs for New Bedford.
We are fortunate here in New Bedford to have a highly trained police department that has developed effective working relationships with various State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. We have witnessed the positive results of these relationships in several high profile incidents and arrests over the past several years.
But there is another aspect of Public Safety and Neighborhoods that has been disregarded over the past several years, and that is the strength of our neighborhoods residents and community groups. These groups are comprised of the citizens of our City that have a real stake in their neighborhoods.
I strongly believe that public safety is a community effort and that more can be accomplished to improve the safety and quality of life in New Bedford by encouraging the direct involvement of the residents of our City and empowering neighborhood groups to work together with the various City Departments and law enforcement on issues such as community policing, infrastructure improvements, cleanliness, abandoned buildings, zoning and parks and playgrounds.
I truly believe that a policy that promotes listening to and empowering these neighborhood groups will reenergize the neighborhood leaders, increase attendance at the neighborhood meeting and thereby improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods across our City.
To support public safety and neighborhood involvement in the City, I have:
- -supported funding requests of public safety departments during my tenure on the City Council, provided there was adequate support for the request and accountability as to how the monies were to be managed.
- -encouraged and supported requests for new or upgraded safety apparatus and equipment to protect the men and women of our Police, Fire, Emergency Management and Emergency Medical Departments.
- -served as an active member of neighborhood groups in the area I represented, often meeting with neighborhood leaders at their monthly meetings.
During my Councillor At Large campaign I have continued to attend neighborhood and community group meetings across the City. I will continue to do this when elected as Councillor at Large.