Worcester preliminary election: Meet the 3 candidates for District 1 City Council seat
WORCESTER - After serving on the City Council for five years, District 1 City Councilor Sean M. Rose decided that he would not seek reelection.
His announcement in December created an open district councilor seat on the 11-member body.
Jennifer Pacillo, David Peterson and Larry Shetler are competing in the Sept. 5 primary.
District 1 generally includes the following neighborhoods: Salisbury Street, Westwood Hills, Assumption University, Hancock Hill, Grove Street, Holden Street, Indian Hill, Indian Lake, Greendale, the Summit, Quinsigamond Community College, Upper Burncoat, Clark Street, Lincoln Village, Great Brook Valley, Curtis Apartments, Montvale and Massachusetts Avenue Local Historic Districts, Hammond Heights, Bancroft Tower, Winter Heights and Richmond/Flagg.
As for the key issues in the district, it matters what candidate you ask.
Jennifer "Jenny" Pacillo
Age: 41
Education: Bachelor of arts in history from Worcester State University; a master of arts in teaching and master of public administration, both from Clark University
Occupation: Editor at Pulse Magazine and CM Pride
Pacillo said she wants Worcester to be a place where kids, seniors and families can thrive.
“Constituent services are a top priority for me,” Pacillo said. “I will fight to improve city services like snow and litter removal, and crosswalk and road repair. Protecting our environment and green spaces are essential to a good quality of life.”
Pacillo said she would work with residents and police to keep the community safe. She also said she would fight for in-home care and an expansion of senior property tax relief so our elders can stay in their homes.
Pacillo stresses that Worcester needs strategic citywide planning, including Greendale revitalization and a dual tax rate that saves homeowners money. She also supports programs for first-time homebuyers that provide down payment and loan securement assistance. As a Worcester Public Schools parent, Pacillo said she believes our children and educators deserve safe and healthy school buildings.
Pacillo said she will work to expand child care for working parents, create pipelines for women and girls to get good-paying jobs, defend reproductive rights and support maternal health care.
Dave Peterson
Age: 43
Education: Attended Syracuse University, majoring in broadcast journalism.
Occupation: Worcester Bravehearts general manager
Peterson said his No. 1 priority is job growth in District 1 and the city as a whole. He pledges to work hand-in-hand with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and Worcester Business Development Corp. to find the right fit for the 51 acres of land on the former Saint-Gobain property in North Worcester that, he said, is ready to be redeveloped.
“I want Worcester to be more business-friendly and, if we can increase our commercial tax base, we can limit the burden on residents who are disproportionately paying for a larger share of the city’s services each year the number of businesses in this city shrinks.”
Peterson insists that with a “larger pie of tax revenue,” the city can begin the master plan for construction of a new Burncoat High School, which, he added, is one of his next priorities after job growth.
“As construction of Doherty Memorial High School wraps up in 2024, it’s time to turn our attention to Burncoat,” Peterson concluded.
Larry R. Shetler
Age: 71
Education: Bachelor's in sociology from Skidmore College
Occupation: Retired urban planner; former owner and principal of CAB Engineering Limited Inc.
Shetler said his campaign's focal point is the restoration of Colony Retirement Homes I & II, a senior residential community located at 485 Grove St.
He envisions a revitalized living expanse tailored exclusively for seniors. He said this initiative not only underscores his unwavering dedication to the well-being of Worcester's elderly inhabitants but also accentuates the pressing requirement to prioritize and attend to this oft-neglected demographic within our community.
“My proposal kindles hope, pledging a more radiant tomorrow for Worcester's senior citizens, who have long yearned for a place they can genuinely call home,” Shetler said.
In addition to rallying behind seniors, Shelter said he hopes to establish a direct pathway for accessing the Worcester Regional Airport and to unearth the Blackstone Canal — a move, he said, akin to successful efforts in cities like San Antonio and Indianapolis, aimed at drawing in visitors.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester election: 3 candidates for District 1 City Council seat
