In District 5, Haxhiaj faces challengers Rivera, Montero

WORCESTER — Incumbent District 5 City Councilor Etel Haxhiaj faces challenges from José Rivera and Edson Montero in her bid for a second two-year term.

The top two vote-getters of the preliminary advance to the Nov. 7 municipal election.

The district includes the neighborhoods of Columbus Park, Stafford, Heard and Main streets from Webster Square to Cherry Valley, Airport Hill, Botany Bay, Mill and June streets, Newton Square, Worcester State University, Tatnuck, West Tatnuck, Beaver Brook and Moreland Hill.

A key issue both incumbent Haxhiaj and candidate Rivera have spoken about is Mill Street safety improvements. All of the District 5 candidates mentioned street safety as one of their main priorities.

Etel Haxhiaj

Age: 43

Education: Clark University

Occupation: Director of public education and advocacy at Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance

District 5 incumbent Haxhiaj is seeking reelection. Haxhiaj, who was elected in 2021, feels confident coming into this election cycle with more experience as a district councilor.

“Serving as a district councilor goes beyond just servicing people and facilitating people’s quality of life,” Haxhiaj said. “It is about taking those issues and trying to figure out from a systemic perspective, how we maintain sound infrastructure and safe and accessible roads for all.”

Building off her first term, Haxhiaj said she wants to progress the plans she already put in motion like promoting sustainable development.

“I’ve talked a lot about walkability and making sure our roads are safe,” Haxhiaj said. “I’m looking forward to having more conversations about what it means to have responsible economic development.”

Haxhiaj said she prioritizes keeping the neighborhoods clean and putting the environment first.

“I think the job of a city councilor is more than showing up on Tuesdays,” Haxhiaj said. “It’s really about working with community members and moving forward collaboratively.”

Edson Montero

Age: 45Education: Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo

Occupation: Kitchen manager at café inside the Family Health Center of Worcester

When Montero visited the United States one winter, he thought he would never return. It was the Bronx in the middle of a blizzard. Shortly after, he left the Dominican Republic and immigrated to Southborough.

Montero told the Telegram & Gazette that he is running for the District 5 council seat because he saw a lack of family-friendly spaces in Worcester.

Another reason he is running for City Council is what he described as a lack of transparency between the city councilors and Worcester residents, Montero said.

“People will feel more comfortable with more transparency,” Montero said. “This is also a multicultural city full of diversity. The diversity is not necessarily represented in the power system.”

Montero also said, as an outsider, he can bring a new perspective to city government.

“I am working for the people,” Montero said. “I am a team builder. I know how to work and put communication first.”

José Rivera

Age: 50

Occupation: Assistant chief court officer

The former boxing champion is running for the District 5 seat of City Council because he wants to bring “commonsense politics” to Worcester.

“I’m all about Worcester,” Rivera said. “I figured if I was going to run for office, City Council was what would intrigue me the most.”

Rivera said his main priorities for his campaign are safe streets and sidewalks and providing full transparency to his constituents. Rivera also emphasized that support for law enforcement and first responders is essential for the safety of Worcester.

“This job requires people who are there to listen, people who are empathetic and people who are going to focus on the job,” Rivera said. “It’s not about political ideologies. It’s about what’s best for the residents.”

If elected, Rivera hopes to bring new businesses to the area to create more jobs and growth in the city.

“We want people from all diversities, all backgrounds and races to come to the city of Worcester,” Rivera said.

More Worcester preliminary election: Meet the 3 candidates for District 1 City Council seat

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This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Etel Haxhiaj faces Jose Rivera, Edson Montero for Worcester District 5