Caraviello Seeking Re-Election to City Council

The Committee to Elect Richard Caraviello announced in June his candidacy for Re-Election for the Medford City before a crowd of over 225 people at the VFW in Medford. Richard and his wife of 39 years Carol, have three children and five grandchildren, and our dog Rocco. As a homeowner and small business owner in our community I will continue to strive to make Medford strong for years to come for my children and grandchildren and all the residents who have chosen to call Medford their Home.

As a lifelong resident I am committed to giving back to our community. Through my 30 years of civic involvement and community volunteer activities, I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that Medford is a community where families aspire to live. I have served as President of the Medford Kiwanis where I have attained Distinguished Status and now will be the first 2nd time President this coming October. I have served as Chairman of the Literacy Program for 13 years and have provided the children of all Medford School’s summer reading books. To date we have given out over 40,000 books. I have served as President and Executive Director of the Medford Chamber of Commerce and continue to serve on the Executive Board. I have served as President of Medford Youth Hockey Association. During the Holiday Season I provide 100 holiday dinners to St. Francis, St. Raphael’s Food Bank, Medford Family Network, Medford Veterans, and the Medford Woman’s Shelter. These opportunities have provided me with an understanding and deep appreciation for where we live.

The face of our city will see a dramatic change come this year’s election in November, with a new Mayor, Councilors and School Committee members. Because our city continues to experience pressures for change, it needs leaders with vision, knowledge, experience and commitment. I have these attributes. I will work to ensure that Council and Mayor work together, not divided on all issues. I will continue to be the independent voice of reason beholden neither to City staff nor to special interests.

As your voice on the Medford City Council I offer leadership and city government experience that will protect our quality of life standards. I stand for strong neighborhood character, enhanced municipal services and programs, and fiscal responsibility. I’ve met, listened to, and worked with people of all demographics and perspectives. I supported: affordable housing; youth, senior and veteran services, traffic safety efforts, sound financial practices, public safety measures; energy reliability plans; and environmental policies. With your vote, I’ll continue working for: reliable energy sources; refurbishment of our school and municipal buildings, and streets; more youth programs, enhanced library services; a tree-lined Medford, and updated Zoning Ordinances.

When I asked for your vote two years ago, I promised to commit my full time and experience to every Medford issue. And I have remained true to my commitment, spending an average of 20-30 hours each week on City business. In addition to Council meetings, I serve as the Chairman of The Veterans Service Committee. As Chairman I have developed a program along the help of local craftsman, to do repairs to the homes of Veterans free of charge. I am also the Chairman of the Licensing Committee, the Medford Representative to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission Mitigation Committee, and have served one term as City Council Vice President. With the assistance of our Tree Warden I have established the Buy a Tree – Get a Tree Program for the business community.

With your continued support and vote, I will continue to work for the issues that are most important to you: a new combined police and fire facility; resurfacing of our streets; basic city services: more youth programs; enhanced library services; education, Arts and Culture: Economic Re-Development; and updated Zoning Ordinances.

As I seek my third term, I look to build upon my experiences and lessons learned. My goal for Medford is to promote community vitality with enhanced neighborhood and retail protection, improved transportation as well as robust community services and fine schools. Additionally, I will concentrate on fiscal challenges including our long-range financial plan, revenues and investments, to keep the city strong. We need to care for our parks, civic buildings, and libraries as well as streets, sidewalks and sewers. Our city needs to continually fund and upgrade our schools all of its programs and services. We must preserve Medford’s unique quality of life by continuing to provide valued community services to all from youth to seniors. Our growing Art’s Community needs to find a consistent funding source to keep it strong along with creating an Office for the Arts. I have been in support of a full time recreation director to promote programs and activities to keep our children of the streets. As your Councilor, I will work to ensure the safety and security of our residents, promote economic development, continue the partnership with our schools, and exercise fiscal accountability. You can count on me to be accessible, effective, and committed to the future of our great city.

I strongly support our dedicated Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and City Personnel whose daily efforts make our community such a great place to call home. Our City has just opened a new DPW facility it is now time to address the building of a new Public Safety facility. Our men and women of our police and fire departments that work 24 hours a day to protect our city deserve this long overdue facility. We must address the crumbling infrastructure of our Municipal Buildings and overdue maintenance of our schools. I will look for new, innovative ways to help support the existing businesses that are so crucial to the long term health & viability of our city, as well as attracting new businesses into our community.

To change things for the better we must first expand our expectation of what is possible. I bring a commonsense leadership approach to our city – addressing every issue with an open mind, representing each & every resident with respect. Let’s discuss all the ideas and options on the table – and out in the open with the Mayor so that together will be able to come up with a solution to these important issues.

As a candidate for City Councilor I respectfully ask for your vote one of your seven so that I may continue to work with you for the city’s future.

– Submitted by Rick Caraviello