FitzPatrick: Why I’m Running for City Council

Right now is an exciting time for Medford. It is a time of tremendous opportunities and challenges. We have a unique chance to set our city on a course that will define the next decade and beyond – but this will not happen on its own.

I believe that our city needs an active, engaged, experienced and progressive council to lead the way forward rather than rehash the fights of the past.

Medford needs more places to go, ways to get there, and reasons for people to stay. With a proactive council that engages residents across the city, we can make real progress to improve our squares, main streets and neighborhoods and protect our natural resources. I am running for Medford City Council to provide that energy and experienced, progressive leadership.

As a former small business owner in downtown Boston, I have a keen understanding of the issues facing our small business community. I will work hard to make sure that our squares, our main streets and all of our business districts are well maintained, responsibly developed and responsive to the needs of customers and business owners alike.

As the former Chief of Staff to Senator Patricia Jehlen and current Legislative Director at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, I know what it takes for government to get things done. Engaging stakeholders across the spectrum and building coalitions will enable us to develop and implement initiatives that will improve the lives of Medford residents.

My experience as a small business owner and knowledge of how to make government work provide a combination of qualifications that I want to bring to the council – they will make me an effective advocate and leader for the people and neighborhoods of Medford.

Now is a unique time in Medford’s history for many reasons. From the extension of the Green Line to the very real possibility of a casino being built on our doorstep to the explosion of rapid development in neighboring cities, we can’t afford to sit back while things happen around us. Rather, we need to step up and grasp this moment so we can use it to Medford’s advantage.

Medford is blessed with many great resources. We are lucky to live next to the Mystic River, the Middlesex Fells and the many historic landmarks throughout the city. The most important resource we possess, however, is the people themselves. We have many families who have lived in Medford for several generations and have a sense of pride and history in the city that is truly inspiring. We also have many new residents who bring with them new energy and new perspectives.

Old Medford and New Medford are joined by a common goal of making a great Medford where our seniors are taken care of, our children have access to the best schools possible and our business community is able to thrive.

One of the great opportunities for Medford, the Green Line Extension, also poses some of the most important challenges. The Green Line will provide tremendous opportunity for economic growth while providing access to modern and convenient public transportation for many of our neighborhoods. At the same time we need to manage that economic growth responsibly and we need to have a plan in place for traffic and parking to ensure that the Green Line is serving the community and reducing traffic and congestion and not attracting additional traffic from other neighborhoods or other cities.

Medford has great squares throughout the city. From Medford Square to Haines Square to West Medford Square and many others, our city has many places for people to gather and businesses to grow – but we need to capitalize on these resources.

We need to focus on traffic and parking issues in our squares concentrating on pedestrian and multi-modal access. More and more people want places to go that are walkable and provide inviting places to hang out and relax. Incorporating green spaces, wider sidewalks, safe crosswalks and places to sit will create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.

One change we can make right away that will have an immediate positive impact is to update our liquor license ordinances.  

Currently, only restaurants with at least 50 seats can serve alcohol – this prevents many types of economic growth.  If we make responsible changes to our liquor laws to allow for more flexibility, bistros, pubs and small restaurants will provide new destinations for current residents and attract visitors, bringing in customers to shop at surrounding businesses. Increased entertainment at the Chevalier theatre and more choices to eat and drink throughout the city will mean more people can spend an evening in Medford rather than driving to Somerville, Cambridge or Boston.

While we have many great opportunities, we also face some daunting challenges. A casino right across the river from Station Landing and Wellington Circle in Everett would be an enormous burden on Medford. There would be a significant increase in traffic on Route 16, adding to the already congested traffic in Wellington Circle and beyond, and customers would be poached from local businesses. I will continue to vocally oppose the proposal to build a casino on Medford’s doorstep.

However, our city gets no formal say in the decision. In the event that the Wynn proposal is approved, it is important that our city government puts us in the strongest possible position to secure the mitigation that residents deserve. Traffic improvements at Wellington Circle, support for local businesses and funding for increased law enforcement costs will be essential to offset the impact of a casino in Everett.

I can provide leadership on these issues and I am asking for your vote on November 5th so that we can move forward together. The choices we make now will affect Medford for the next decade – In 10 years, I want to be even prouder to live in Medford than I am today.

– Submitted by Bob FitzPatrick