D’Antonio Running for Mayor

My name is Anthony D’Antonio and I am a candidate for Mayor of the historical city of Medford.

I was born and raised in Medford and grew up on Yale Street. After graduating from the Medford Public School system, I attended the University of Massachusetts at Boston State College and graduated with a degree in Economics. My education continued at Bentley University where I worked towards a certificate in Bentley’s Accounting Program. While working in the high technology private sector, I attended numerous professional development seminars. I am a past member of the Laborer’s International Union of North America, Laborer’s Local 22, the National Association of Purchasing Management (PMAB) and the American Production & Inventory Control Society. I was a mentor for the International Standards Organization for the purpose of facilitating Statistical Process Control for Fortune 500 companies. Presently, I am a consultant to both the food and beverage industry and the technology industry.

I am the father of three sons: John, Marc, Peter, and, grandfather of Giovanni and Peter.

Listening to our citizens express their concerns about issues over the years it’s clear that just talking about the issues will not resolve them. In order to make changes you must get involved at a higher level and this is what I continue to do. I have, for several years, been attending Council meetings with the hope of making changes for the better in the city. Most recently, I spoke at a Hearing before the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Joint Committee on Municipalities. I was the only Medford citizen there to oppose the transfer of $1.224 million dollars from Medford’s water and sewer enterprise fund for the purpose of eradicating the budget shortfall. I also opposed the recommendation by the committee to change the language of the Bill requiring the city to pay back the funds over a finite period.

The concerns of Medford’s residents are ignored until we are in an election year. The Mayor decides on which large and costly city projects to spend our tax dollars and expects affirmation from the City Council without much discussion or debate. His 24-year tenure in this position has made him complacent and comfortable; familiarity breeds contempt and it shows in the mayor’s mismanagement of our city. It’s been his way or the highway. Taxes in the city have gone up for the last 24 years even during the best of economic times.
Medford’s financial future is being leveraged on assumptions of revenue rather than sound planning for positive results.

All too often we hear our concerns dismissed with excuses like “it’s not in the budget, we had no other choices” or “there’s no money, we’ll have to cut jobs”! How is it that the mayor can always find the money for his projects or for his “special” personnel positions?

Why would mayor McGlynn want to spend over 7.5 million dollars on a parking garage in Medford Square for which there is no demonstrable need, before implementing a citywide traffic and parking enforcement plan which was proposed in October, 2009 and recommended in a private study commissioned by the city at a cost of $60,000 plus dollars? Another $850 thousand dollars is on the table for a “design study” and permit process for the garage. This is outrageous and a good example of fiscal irresponsibility and ignoring what is in the best interest of all the citizens of Medford.

Why did my opponent, mayor McGlynn, spend 1.5 million dollars on reconstructing our infamous Ring Road, which was not only unnecessary but has created serious public safety issues, especially for our senior citizens? The mayor is calling this a “new park” for the citizens to enjoy when in reality it was created for a private enterprise which has yet to be announced publicly.

– How does the mayor justify a 10 year contract for waste disposal awarded by a no-bid process?
– Why isn’t public safety a primary concern?
– How do you stand idly by while the number of our police officers, firefighters and DPW workers dwindles and we fall further behind the technological advances made specifically for public safety operations?
– Why haven’t the city’s DPW workers been given a safe and healthy environment in which to work? Take a look at our Police and Fire station. How can we call it a Public Safety building when it is not safe to inhabit?! Where’s the respect, Mr. Mayor, for these people who make our lives safer and better and put theirs on the line every day?!
– Why is competitive bidding not used in Medford’s cable TV contract?
– Why is Verizon blocked from bidding on television access? The city is wired and ready to go!
– In May and June of this year the City Council voted three times to allow the citizens of Medford to have a clean-out, throw-out week once a year during the month of June; and as yet has not been acted upon by mayor McGlynn! We as residents deserve and should demand a clean city.
– For well over ten years, the Medford City Council has been requesting that they be presented a major capital improvement plan for all of Medford and yet there is still no plan. This is not progress! This is not leadership that works! Mr. Mayor, if the plan is in the wings, ready to bring to the city council, please deliver it and avoid any further delay. Do not wait until after the election, please!
– Why doesn’t the mayor meet or respond to our City Council on a timely basis? Communication, open dialogue and collaboration are the keys to progress. The citizens of Medford expect the council and mayor to work as a team when deciding on how our taxpayer dollars will be spent.
– Why did mayor McGlynn not act to resolve the railroad crossing issue in West Medford when he should have, three years ago? This shoddy quick fix has created yet another safety hazard and eyesore in the city. This is another example of a reactionary administration…not leadership.
– Why has the mayor sat idly by as two of our historical, cultural and educational landmarks, the Brooks Estate and Chevalier Auditorium, languish, when they could be turned into revenue producing venues?

My first priority as Mayor will be public safety. We must enhance our image as a safe community, a community that cares for its citizens and a community that values and encourages safe streets, safe schools, safe neighborhoods and exceptional educational opportunities for our children.

I will call for an independent audit to examine the city’s standard accounting operating procedures. We cannot move forward until we know what we have to work with and where the money is going. We must work to lower taxes in this city and put an end to the 24 year record of raising taxes and decreasing services each and every year.

I will implement a parking enforcement program immediately. This will start a flow of revenue into the city; every little bit helps!

I will do everything in my power to support our police, fire and municipal employees.

I will work to see that our veterans are given every opportunity for housing in our city. They need our support and deserve our respect. For, without them and their sacrifices, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today!

Our elderly and disabled residents must be cared for and made to feel safe in their surroundings. Our citizens come first and I will see that it happens!

I will work to re-construct the trash removal program for the entire city. As it stands now, the current system is a physical burden to our elderly and disabled residents. It is also an eyesore to see all these ugly, huge, green trash barrels throughout the city because most houses lack the facilities to store them until trash day. Besides, is it really saving the city any “real” money?

There will be no more multi-year, “no bid” contracts.

I will meet with the City Council on a regular basis as I strongly believe the Mayor’s attendance is in the best interest of our citizens. The City Councilors are there for the purpose of doing the people’s business; not to rubber stamp the Mayor’s agenda! If I am elected mayor there will be no more last minute, time sensitive proposals thrown hastily at the City Council unless we are facing a citywide emergency.

It is important for this city’s schoolchildren and educators that we remove the “political influence” from the School Committee. Therefore, I will work through Home Rule petition to remove the mayor’s position from the School Committee.

I will also work to impose term limits on the City Council, the School Committee and the Mayor’s position. None of these should be considered life-time positions.

I am also in favor of a charter review for Medford. It’s long overdue! The world has changed over 24 years!

I will work to creatively, collectively and expeditiously expand the city’s revenue base

There is so much more that needs to be done, but, I cannot do it alone and it cannot be done overnight. I need your help as concerned citizens. I need your vote on November 8th, Tuesday!

If you share my belief that if this city is to ever move forward into the future as the proud, flourishing, clean and safe city Medford once was and can be again, we need to begin the transition now. My educational background and thirty years of private business and technology experience along with years of problem solving management affords me the qualifications to become the people’s mayor. My stamina, desire and my concern for the well being of all our residents along with my ability to truly listen to people and approach the issues with common sense will enable us to start moving forward. I will not settle for mediocrity. I will respond to you, the people, and act accordingly on behalf of your concerns and needs to the best of my ability and in the best interest of our city. This is the way it should be…and the way it will be when I am elected Mayor.

The time for change is now. Let’s put and end to a business as usual administration and put an end to leadership that does not work!! Remember, nothing changes if nothing changes.

Our great city by the Mystic River is your City! Medford does not belong to any one politician!

Imagine a brighter future for Medford!

Please vote for CHANGE on Tuesday, November 8! It’s your future!

Thank you.

Anthony D’Antonio
12 Yale Street
Candidate for Mayor of Medford, 2011

To contact me with any of your concerns, opinions or thoughts, you can e-mail me at ajdantonio3@yahoo.com. Or call me at 781-475-0778.

– Submitted by Anthony D’Antonio