New Bedford Candidates' Night showcases City Council hopefuls, mayoral candidate Moultrie

NEW BEDFORD — Candidates made their case during a Candidates' Night on Tuesday, though one prominent incumbent didn't show up.

Mayor Jon Mitchell was a no-show for the event at Keith Middle School, which was hosted by the New Bedford branch of the NAACP, in collaboration with United Interfaith Action of Southeastern MA and Greater Southeastern MA Labor Council.

Mitchell's opponent, Richard Tyson Moultrie, in discussing his qualifications for the job, said, "I show up. That's the first thing."

In answering a question from one of two panelists from New Bedford High School at one point, Moultrie handed his microphone to the empty chair next to him and asked "Jon" his opinion.

Moultrie, who was defeated handily by Mitchell four years ago and in the preliminary election this year, said of his underdog status, "I'm proud of it. Everyone in New Bedford is an underdog."

He added, "I am the people's candidate. I care about the people of New Bedford."

Moultrie said whether residents voted for him or not, there needs to be greater turnout at the polls than the preliminary's slightly over 6%.

He would then pray that the greater turnout translated into a victory for his candidacy, he said.

Moultrie said his goal to was to "mitigate and minimize" residents' concerns.

Mitchell didn't attend the Candidates' Night, which had been announced two weeks ago, because it conflicted with his keynote speech to a national offshore wind conference that was hosted Tuesday night at the same time. The mayor made that commitment well before the invitation from the NAACP, said Holly Huntoon, city public information officer.

10 candidates for five City Council at-large seats

All 10 candidates for the five City Council at-large seats attended the event.

Current Council President Linda Morad said she has been serving New Bedford residents for 18 years. "I'm proud of my record." She works hard, she said, including doing research and due diligence for every council meeting.

One of the strengths she brings to the council is her financial acumen, coming from a background in the financial services industry.

The helps in her goals of keeping the city spending responsibly and keeping the tax rate low.

Incumbent Naomi Carney said she feels fortunate to have the privilege of serving New Bedford residents. She prides herself on her constituent services, she said.

When constituents call, she answers, she said. "I'm here for you 24/7."

She has worked hard for the city, and knows what it's like to work your way up as a female minority member. Carney said she is vigilant with regard to keeping taxes low. "When it comes to taxes, I think of you."

Incumbent Brian Gomes said, "I'm going to run on my record," adding that the three minutes allotted to him was not enough time to describe his lengthy service to the community.

Addressing criticism that some members have been on the council too long, Gomes said that he'd let New Bedford voters decide if he's overstayed his welcome.

Gomes said he's been in the forefront in fighting for New Bedford neighborhoods, from the opioid crisis to Parallel Products' expansion project. "I've been there for the city of New Bedford."

Ward 5 incumbent Scott Lima is running for an at-large seat in this election. Lima said he focuses on constituent services.

He also puts an emphasis on environmental justice, including the Parallel Products expansion project, and "everything" to do with the city waterfront.

Lima said he also supports the New Bedford Police Department, which includes making sure it's fully staffed. He works extremely hard in his role as a city councilor, he said.

Challenger Bruce Wayne Duarte Jr. said, "I'm running because I think it's time for a change." He said there were good incumbents, but some had been on the board for two decades or more.

Duarte added that it was "extremely important" that people get out and vote on Nov. 7. "We can't have 6% tell us who's going to represent us."

People need to get motivated, Duarte said. All the issues important to New Bedford residents, from crime to taxes, are on the ballot in the form of the candidates voted to represent the people.

Incumbent Shane Burgo also called for people to get out and vote Nov. 7. "Together we can ensure that tomorrow is better than today," Burgo said.

Burgo has recently been presiding over public hearings in his role as chair of the council Special Committee on Affordable Housing and Homeless Affairs, exploring the possibility of rent stabilization in the city.

Burgo said he obviously favors rent stabilization but the form it will take needs to be the product of a consensus reached with the input of all stakeholders.

Challenger Guelmie Santiago said she came to New Bedford 25 years ago, and was a single mother of three living in public housing.

She now owns Santiago Professional Services LLC, which provides tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting services.

Santiago said the city has been good to her and that she had empathy for residents who may be struggling because she knows what that's like. Of her candidacy, she said, "I want nothing more than to represent my community."

Incumbent Ian Abreu said a "steady hand at the wheel" was what residents need aboard the council. He also thanked voters for their support in the preliminary where he had the highest tally.

Abreu added his "constituent services record was impeccable." He returns every constituent call, he said.

Abreu said "all my chips" are in play for the city of New Bedford, where he's raising his family and where he has revitalized a family business and created a dozen new jobs.

Challenger Devin B. Byrnes said his role as owner of Destination Soups on Union Street has helped him become involved in fostering community groups and supporting small businesses and the community in general.

"I'm all about the community and small businesses and new ideas," he said.

Byrnes added he was also all about new perspectives on the City Council.

Challenger Joyce Rowley said this was her first foray into elective politics but she has working experience that will come in very useful on the City Council.

That includes having served as a city planner in other communities, as well as an environmental planner, adding that she also has concerns with the Parallel Products' expansion project.

She has also worked as a freelance writer on the SouthCoast, and has developed a sense of how good governance works.

Candidates for Ward 1, Ward 5 council seats

Candidates for Ward 1 council seat Leo Choquette and incumbent William "Brad" Markey also appeared at the event.

Markey said he was a big proponent of the city school system.

He said being a city councilor included forging relationships with fellow councilors and city department heads to get things done.

"I look at things objectively and with common sense. Then I decide what's best for the city of New Bedford." That includes everything from potholes to big issues, like public safety. He strives to make sure police, fire and EMS all have the tools they need to do their job.

Choquette said he was a financial planner, as well as a lawyer. He said his vision for representing Ward 1 was "constituent services, constituent services, constituent services."

He said he'll open a constituent services office and will hold office hours every week. Choquette said he's also a strong proponent of the police, and wants to see the department brought up to the proper staffing level of 300-plus.

Choquette is also a big proponent of organized labor, and also vowed to fight the Parallel Products' expansion project. "I'm going to fight for the neighbors."

Candidates in the race for Ward 5 Joseph P. Lopes and Zachary R. Boyer also appeared Tuesday.

Boyer, who works as a planning director at Coastline Elderly Services, said it was "high time" New Bedford built a new senior center, which can be accomplished without raising taxes.

He said he also wants to focus on pedestrian safety around city parks and schools, as well as addressing the opioid crisis. Boyer also said the city needs to increase its affordable housing stock, which can be promoted through zoning.

Boyer added that "unlike his opponent" he didn't move to another Ward after losing in the last election.

Lopes, who was the Ward 6 councilor for 12 years before losing in 2021, said he had sold his Ward 6 home and moved into Ward 5 before incumbent Scott Lima announced he was running for an at-large seat. "I will stand on my record," he added.

He said he has the experience needed to best serve the residents of Ward 5. Lopes said "constituent services are the bedrock" of City Council performance. "I did that for 12 years. I understand the quality-of-life issues."

Affordable housing can be increased by increasing housing stock to reduce rents. One way to do that, Lopes said, would be to work at putting abandoned properties back into shape. He said the city of Boston was looking at incentivizing owner occupied housing, which could also help.

Unopposed council candidates

Unopposed candidates Shawn Oliver of Ward 3, and Derek Baptiste of Ward 4 also appeared Tuesday.

Oliver said he was "proactive when it comes to constituent services," and would "hold the line on taxes."

Baptiste said, "I work for the people. I don't work for the mayor or anyone else. Whatever the people of the city of New Bedford want, I want."

Asking the candidates student questions and relaying audience questions were New Bedford High School seniors Xaneth Morales and Camilla Monteiro, who are members of the Black Student Association of New Bedford High School.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford City Council candidates talk at Candidates' Night