|
Newsletter - Issue # 4
(August 15th, 2005)
Morrissey proposes
comprehensive plan to
restore neighborhoods and
help address fundamental
challenges.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeff Batstone at:
508.997.0488
Inclusive planning,
incentives for
participation, aggressive
tax title policy
cornerstones of plan
Mayoral candidate Matt
Morrissey today unveiled his
plan to restore the
neighborhoods of New
Bedford, his first of
several comprehensive plans
to address the city’s core
challenges of public safety,
jobs, and education.
“It all begins with strong
neighborhoods,’’ Morrissey
said. “The fact is that New
Bedford has the fourth worst
unemployment rate in
Massachusetts; roughly 33
percent of our students drop
out of school; and 17
murders have gone unsolved
despite our property tax
bills increasing by 54
percent since Fred Kalisz
took office. We MUST do
better with the hard-earned
money that we send to City
Hall. It is going to require
a new generation of
leadership with new ideas to
address these core issues of
crime, jobs and education.’’
“Crime, jobs, and education
are closely connected, and
they need to be confronted
as close to home as
possible,’’ Morrissey said.
“Aside from the family unit
itself, a vibrant
neighborhood is the most
powerful support structure a
person can have. Strong
neighborhoods can win the
war on crime, support young
people who choose learning
over the streets, and
provide fertile ground for
small business to prosper.
That is why we chose to make
neighborhoods the subject of
our first major issues
presentation, and we hope
that it sparks a real
conversation throughout the
city.”
The plan, which is available
at
www.MattForNewBedford.com,
includes the following
highlights:
-
The
development of a
comprehensive and
inclusive master plan
delivered within 160
days that assures that
the character of each
neighborhood is
preserved while
development
opportunities are
identified and shaped.
-
Incentives to build
bigger and more vibrant
neighborhood
associations.
-
The
development of
school/community
partnerships
-
Aggressive taking of
derelict property with a
focus on new
homeownership.
The
plan, which includes several
additional specific,
tangible action steps that
Morrissey will take when
elected mayor, was crafted
with the input of dozens of
people from many walks of
life. Neighborhood
residents, small business
owners, policy-makers, and
non-profit organization
leaders all contributed
ideas and perspectives the
plan. Some of the ideas came
directly from Morrissey’s
precinct-by-precinct walk of
New Bedford. “Our campaign
has been all about listening
for the past two months,’’
Morrissey said. “I want to
thank all of those people
who contributed their ideas
and energy to creating this
plan. Thanks to them I have
great confidence that our
community CAN do better and
WILL do better.”
Candidate has temperament
for mayor's job - by John
Bullard
"...What
about Matt Morrissey? He
believes in engaging people.
He listens to what others
have to say. He is courteous
but also strong enough to
stand up to a bullying
George Leontire.
In my book, and I've been
there, Matt Morrissey has
the "temperament" to be
mayor. Matt Morrissey, not
only has the temperament to
be mayor, he also has the
intellect, moral compass and
fortitude to stand up for
the people of New Bedford
above all else... by John
Bullard [read
more]
The
Word Is Spreading
Join
Matt and his supporters in
spreading the word that we
CAN do better. Use our “Tell
a Friend” feature to help
bring a new generation of
leadership to New
Bedford...[visit
site and use Tell A Friend
located at top of each page]
How
you CAN Help:
Volunteer
All hands on deck! Your
talent and energy is needed
to help Matt build a new
coalition for positive
change in every
neighborhood. There are many
ways to be part of the team...
[learn
more]
Make a Donation
Contribute to the Matt
Morrissey for Mayor campaign
online! Your contribution
will be handled securely and
will help Matt bring fresh
leadership to City Hall...
[make
a donation]
(If you would
prefer not to receive this
newsletter in the future,
please click on the
"unsubscribe" link at the
bottom of this e-mail.) |
