Judy Mack running for Councilor at Large seat in Gardner election on Nov. 7
What made you decide to run for re-election to the City Council?
Making the decision to run for re-election for a third term on the city council was driven by my desire to continue to work for the residents who had placed their trust in me to serve for the past four years. I’m running for re-election to see the continuation and completion of the many projects that are ongoing. I want to continue to promote Gardner in the midst of major changes that are taking place in our downtown and other areas throughout the city which are necessary for revitalizing our city.
What is the top issue facing the city that you would like to see addressed if elected?
My focus is on the challenges we still face in several areas such as the sludge landfill, Parker’s Pond, which seems to not get the attention from the city to resolve concerns and to bring in commercial development. We can work together to protect our open space and promote growth at the same time. Another priority for my next term and for the city as a whole should be to work on more affordable housing for our senior citizens. This is essential as well as to develop more community resources for the homeless in collaboration with local agencies. Increasing the salaries of the city departments that are understaffed due to low wages. We need to look at the Department of Public Works, many areas of the city are suffering from the department being understaffed. You can’t expect a department to continue work at such a low capacity. The funding for the Greenwood Pool needs to be aligned with the current demand of lifeguards and to increase the wages but to expand the hours next summer. I would like to see the pool open seven days a week. I look forward to the salary survey that was voted on by the council as we need to bring our wages to a place where there are applicants for the position that improve public service including fire and police staffing levels.
How do you see the City Council's role when it comes to attracting more businesses to the community?
In order for the living wages of city departments to increase to the appropriate level so that the city can continue to provide all necessary city services, it is imperative that more business growth and commercial development occurs. It is crucial for our residential taxes to not increase. All residents have seen an increase in groceries, prescriptions, and utilities, especially those on a fixed income. With this being said, we have to raise the funds through promoting Gardner as business friendly and actively seek new commerce to the city. Without this revenue from increasing our commercial tax base to fund our city departments and the services we need to provide we will be stagnant in maintaining our projects and property which will then affect the housing values of the residents. The council and citizens have to support the zoning of commercial property for this to occur. We have to work together to create a sustainable plan and not against each other for the betterment of the city and its ability to not only maintain the property tax base at the level it is, but to encourage people to move to Gardner.
How would you go about involving residents in the decision-making process in Gardner?
Being a city councilor is not something that I take for granted. Every decision and vote is about what’s best for the residents. I'm a taxpayer and resident who is impacted by the decision of the council as are all of my constituents. As a Councilor at Large, I represent the city as a whole, not just one specific ward. Doing your homework researching the topics that come before us, attending subcommittee meetings and asking the necessary questions from those who have the information between meetings is vital to be effective as a councilor. That includes seeking input from citizens. To get the residents more involved, it’s crucial for our local newspaper to be present at the regular council meetings, this hasn't occurred in quite some time. Even though the meetings are available on the city’s YouTube page for viewing and on WGET, we need to use all accessible means for the process to be transparent and for citizens to read and hear the correct information and discussion leads to the way the council votes on the items that are before us. The increasing amount of citizens that are relying on social media for information allows for too many falsehoods, negativity and an increased amount of misinformation to circulate which is detrimental to the cities growth and focus to make Gardner an attractive place to live and have a business. Through our local television station, newspaper and meeting videos we need to keep people informed. My sincere hope is to continue to see more citizens in attendance at the meetings regularly, not just when there is an occasional topic of concern. Public hearings are a great opportunity for citizens to be heard. Speaking for myself, emailing or calling me directly with any questions is always welcome.
What changes would you like to see in Gardner over the next five years?
First, I’m looking forward to the new pavilion that will be built soon where the Greenwood Pool stands. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to save the existing building, but it will be a new, much needed asset to the community.
Gardner over the next five years will continue to grow with the addition of new businesses downtown and the housing initiatives that are underway which will result in more extensive community services for our residents as will require constant improvement in our infrastructure. Gardner has much to offer and needs to continue to do a media campaign to focus on all the positives we have to offer. We need to become our own best public relations firm to make sure in the next five years people are aware of what we have to offer for all ages. I’m optimistic about the improvement in the school department especially with the financial commitment made to the art and music programs. In a few years, The Gardner High School Band will be back to where it was in the early 1990s. To see our students learn in the new state of the art elementary school we just built for the first time in a decade is something we should all take pride in. For our athletes to not have to pay athletic fees is something that has been needed for a long time. The scholarship endowments, many dating back to the deep roots of the early Gardner furniture industries and through the generosity of many individuals, allows GHS graduates to pursue their post graduate education. This is something unique to our community and not publicized enough. It should be considered in the decision of parents seeking to send their children outside of the district as it is an enormous financial benefit. In addition, there are many opportunities for students to attend community college and earn college credits in high school. For the senior citizens in our community to have more resources available to them with the Senior Center being relocated to Waterford Street. Every month I am amazed at the robust programs and activities that are offered every month and think this can only get better within the new facility. Mount Wachusett Community College continues to be such an asset for our community, and we need to support our local hospital as not only is it the largest employer in the city, but in five years very few community hospitals will still exist.
What is something you'd like the voters to know about you?
I have always been a proud Wildcat. Last December, I retired from the Gardner Public School after 32 years of service where I was a teacher for many years and worked as a school counselor for the past 23 years. I was born in Gardner and attended Gardner Public Schools. My first job was at the Levi Heywood Memorial Library as a page in 1979 where I worked for five years and left when I was accepted to do a college internship at Walt Disney World in the merchandising department. My education includes an A.S at Mount Wachusett Community College; a B..A. in History from Our Lady of Elms College; an M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Worcester State University and a CAGS in Counseling and Psychology from Fitchburg State University.
Starting at the age of 14, I have worked and during college I have always worked multiple part-time jobs within the city in a variety of areas. My ability to be an organized, people-oriented person who can multitask has served me well. My family has deep roots in Gardner, my grandfather and mother worked at Heywood Wakefield for many years. My father started his business in Gardner 56 years ago and showed me the importance of an honest work ethic and serving others. I’m proud to be a third generation Gardnerite and love the rich history of the city and its role in developing Gardner into the city it is today. We can’t go back, but we can look forward to what the years ahead will bring to the future generations of residents. Gardner has and remains a great place to live and raise a family.
What is your message to voters as they cast their ballot - why should they vote for you?
As a councilor for re-election, I humbly ask for your vote as my focus is and will always be in doing what is right for the city and citizens, not what is easy or popular. I ask for your support so I can continue to work hard for the future of our city. As when I first ran for the city council, my objective today continues to be working in “Moving Gardner Forward.”
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Judy Mack runs for Councilor at Large in Gardner election
