D’Antonio Announces Candidacy for Mayor

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

I was born, raised and educated in Medford.

I want to make it clear that this is not a partisan contest! Not Democrat v Republican or Independent…it is an election for a CEO to manage the city of Medford; properly and effectively.

I worked my way through college as a construction laborer and belonged to the International Laborer’s Union, Local 22 in Boston.

After completing college with a degree in Economics, I went to work for Honeywell Computer Systems and spent the next 30 plus years at various companies in the High Technology Private sector.

It was in this field that I honed my skills as a senior executive, working with companies in multiple U.S. locations and international facilities including China, Japan, Singapore, Germany and England.

I successfully executed complex, sophisticated business plans.

I was chosen as project manager for a proprietary government contractor, sanctioned by the NSA to supply an impenetrable network of 13 “TEMPEST” communication firewalls and information terminals for the Reykjvik, Iceland summit between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and President Mikhail Gorbachev of Russia which took place in October of 1986. This was a time sensitive operation with a “no overrun” budget. We completed this mission successfully and received a commendation from the Whitehouse.

Why am I running for mayor?

It is important that our city put a mayor in office that will bring new, fresh and exciting ideas to the city and for the residents.

Should you elect me mayor; I make only one promise: to work hard and smart on your behalf.

The following are some of the action items and ideas I feel we need to address to start moving forward:

* A real focus on community needs by working with the citizens and businesses to improve public safety, traffic and transportation concerns.
* No more the “this is the way things are done in Medford” to “your input makes Medford work for you”. This is your community, by you electing me, I work for you!
* Constituent’s services providing a “one stop place” to report a problem or to get non-emergency help 24/7
* Work with large and small business in the community in an effort to improve the local centers of commerce.
* A cohesive city wide plan for growth.
* Create a working office of Parking & Traffic in Medford.
* Have comprehensive resident demographics developed by our office of community development in an effort to help current businesses thrive and be a resource for those interested in opening a business in our commerce zones.
* Attend all city council meetings working directly with the city council in the Governing of the City of Medford. It’s what a CEO is paid to do!
* Improve transportation pathways for those who seek alternative forms of transport to both work and school.
* Identify public transportation improvement zones. This will require an effective, well-managed Office of Community Development representing the best ideas from both residents and businesses in those particular areas.
* Be a proactive, not a reactive force, in the support of Public Transportation projects. This positive approach can and will provide a blueprint for comprehensive and well planned development for future car free growth in a densely populated city like Medford; adding jobs, housing opportunities and an additional tax base.
* Effectively utilize Tufts University’s Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning to help us improve our Community Development efforts.
* Improve our relationship with our state and federal officials to help guide us in the process of procuring those funds necessary to rebuild our Police and Fire Station Headquarters, Traffic Signal Improvements, Roadway Reconstruction, Bus Shelters and ADA Compliant sidewalks.
* Review the conditions at our Elder Services and Community centers to improve on the quality of services for our elders in this city, better transportation and an emphasis on health and Nutrition workshops.
* Look to establish veteran and disabled accommodating housing villages.

For too long, much too long, we have been under the control of a mayor who is a master politician lacking solid business skills. The result is a major lack of accountability to the people, higher taxes, and a lack of services, questionable negotiation skills and complete and total arrogance in the matters most important to us all!

Nepotism has been with us as a civilization for hundreds of years…you also know the saying…”to the victor belong the spoils”! This city, under this administration of 26 years, yes, 26 years, has run amuck with favors and favoritism. It needs to end and we need to take our city back so that it works for the people…not the few!

Do the following issues seem familiar to you?

Squares and streets filled with litter that also lack proper lighting, sidewalks in need of repair, streets consumed by potholes, tree stumps that litter our walkways, faded street signs and crosswalks, a lack of signage at dangerous intersections, a public library which is ignored and under funded, no voice mail in City Hall, a performance venue (the Chevalier) which is overlooked and in need of funds as well as other historical landmarks, no constituent’s hot-line to report non-emergency problems, dangerously low staffing levels of our public safety personnel who protect us 24/7/365, an embarrassingly disgusting public safety building which houses our police, no maintenance budgeted for our infrastructure.

We need to fix Medford!

“Leadership that works” says the mayor…I don’t see it, do you?

It’s just more political rhetoric and I think we’ve all had enough!

On November 5th, Tuesday, please come out to vote and vote for change in the city of Medford.

Vote for a person who listens, vote for a person who will maintain an “open door” administration.

Join me and be part of the solution…not the problem!

This is your city!

Thank you,
Anthony J. D’Antonio
Candidate for mayor for Medford

– Submitted by Anthony D’Antonio