Taking the helm: Petty says his priorities will be clear (archives)

This story first published Jan. 3, 2012

WORCESTER - During his 14 years as a city councilor, Joseph M. Petty was the "quiet man" of an elected body known for producing its share of noise. He always prided himself on listening to people and trying to make good decisions based on the facts.

In assuming the reins of the mayor's office yesterday, Mr. Petty said he intends to approach his new job the same way - addressing issues with thoughtful consideration and prudent action.

But now that he is mayor, Mr. Petty also promised to make a lot more noise as well.

"As mayor, my priorities will be clear and my approach to public policy will be direct," Mr. Petty told a standing-room-only crowd of about 500 people at the North High School auditorium during yesterday's inaugural exercises. "As mayor, however, I will not be quiet, because to accomplish our shared goals, we need leadership, direction and the ability to get things done.

"As mayor, I will work with my colleagues on the City Council and School Committee to set the agenda for this city and to foster a strong cooperative relationship with the city manager (Michael V. O'Brien) and superintendent of schools (Melinda Boone)," he said.

In becoming Worcester's 59th mayor, Mr. Petty used his inaugural address to set an agenda for the 2012-2013 term, based on what he heard from residents during his campaign for mayor.

He said even though there are different issues affecting different neighborhoods, there was a common thread in what people were concerned about and what they want for their city - "a safe, clean and welcoming city that provides opportunities for everyone to earn a good living, educate their children, to live peacefully and to enjoy all the good things" that Worcester has to offer.

To achieve that shared visions for the city, Mr. Petty called for the following:

Creating a new recruit class for the Police Department so more police officers can be put out on the streets to protect the neighborhoods.

Providing the Fire Department with the necessary tools, technology and staffing it needs to protect the city.Beginning the process to make long-overdue renovations and building improvements needed at Doherty, Burncoat and South high schools, as well as addressing the needs of the students and families served by Nelson Place School, which the mayor said is "literally crumbling around them."

Creating a classical exam school within the city that would be open to all who strive for academic excellence. The mayor said he will ask the School Committee to form a special subcommittee this year to consider that idea."I know we have the talent within our city to create a program as strong as any high school in the state," Mr. Petty said. "A new exam school would offer opportunities for students from every neighborhood to excel and elevate the public reputation of our school system."

Bringing needed water and sewer infrastructure to the Route 20 corridor to facilitate future development of that area.

The mayor said he will be creating a special task force to focus on the future of the Route 20 development corridor and make recommendations on how to realize its full potential.

"For too long this commercial corridor has been neglected," Mr. Petty said. "Too many properties there are under-utilized because of the lack of adequate infrastructure, primarily sewer services. I believe the Route 20 corridor has incredible potential to grow, to attract investment, new jobs and generate much needed new tax revenues. In this day and age, it's not acceptable to say there is no solution to bringing water and sewer infrastructure to that stretch of Route 20."

Beginning a public initiative to raise funds needed to restore and renovate Elm Park.

Mr. Petty said the city received a $500,000 matching grant from that state to jumpstart the Elm Park project. With the state funds as seed money, he said, it is now up to the people, businesses, foundations and institutions of Worcester to step forward and raise the additional money needed to fund a full restoration of Elm Park.

"As we look ahead to 2012 and to our work as the newly inaugurated government for Worcester, let's remember that public safety, education, economic growth and strong neighborhoods, accessible to all generations at all economic levels, are the elements that define a great city," Mr. Petty said. "We must work on all these areas and achieve real progress to keep Worcester the wonderful city that we know it is.

"This may not be a quiet agenda for the next two years, but I believe it is the right one," he added. "And I ask everyone here today to help. To succeed, we must look for what we have in common, not what divides us. Rather than look for reasons to say no,' let's look for ways to sayyes.'"

In addition to the mayor, members of the City Council and School Committee were also sworn into office during the inaugural exercises.

Members of the 2012-2013 City Council are: District 1 Councilor Tony Economou, District 5 Councilor William J. Eddy, Councilor-at-Large Michael J. Germain, Councilor-at-Large Konstantina B. Lukes, Councilor-at-Large Joseph C. O'Brien, District 2 Councilor Philip P. Palmieri, District 4 Councilor Sarai Rivera, Councilor-at-Large Frederick C. Rushton, District 3 Councilor George J. Russell and Councilor-at-Large Kathleen M. Toomey.

Members of the new School Committee are: Dianna L. Biancheria, Donna M. Colorio, Jack L. Foley, John F. Monfredo, Tracy O'Connell Novick and Brian A. O'Connell.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Taking the helm: Petty says his priorities will be clear (archives)