A look at mayoral candidates and issues in Haverhill
Back in February this year, James Fiorentini, the Mayor of Haverhill since 2004, announced that he would not be running for reelection this year. Since then, five candidates have stepped up and will face off in a preliminary election on Tuesday, September 12. The final election will be held Tuesday, November 7,
The five candidates are, in alphabetical order:
- Melinda Barrett – Haverhill city councilor
- Debra Campanile – Retired US Treasury customer service manager
- Guy Cooper – Retired Haverhill police officer
- George Eleftheriou – Restaurateur, inventor
- Scott Wood – Former school committee member and former Haverhill police officer
Candidates’ financial status.
| Candidate | Receipts YTD | Expenditures YTD | Cash on Hand |
| Barrett | $57,442.04 | $37,423.10 | $26,856.58 |
| Campanile | $26,123.01 | $30,337.84 | $20,148.23 |
| Cooper | $295.00 | $1,089.73 | $1,791.60 |
| Eleftheriou | $3,200.00 | $2,471.98 | $728.02 |
| Wood | $26,149.51 | $15,138.92 | $13,010.58 |
What are the significant issues?
- Development and affordable housing
- Diversity of public school staff
- Infrastructure and water treatment project
- Charges of racism and sexism against candidate Scott Wood
- Mental health and counseling services
Affordable housing plans hit a snag
Mayor James J. Fiorentini proposed an inclusionary zoning ordinance earlier this year. It requires all new multi-family housing developments of more than ten units to include 10% affordable housing.
Alternatively, developers can pay into a fund dedicated to affordable housing projects. City councilors, however, cannot agree on the amount or whether to have a different payment for rental and condos. [1]
Several candidates commented on the plan during the Greater Haverhill Clergy Association Mayoral Forum. Candidates Barrett and Eleftheriou suggested including condos and apartments, allowing owners to create generational wealth. Candidate Campanile said she didn’t think affordable housing was a problem and that there was enough. Candidate Wood supported the mayor’s ordinance but expressed concern for balance regarding costs and tax breaks. Candidate Cooper appeared to support it but mentioned concerns about the impact of increased population on city infrastructure.
Stay tuned for Part 2 – More on the issues
Read more about the Haverhill Mayoral Candidates on our MA1st 2023 Mayoral Candidates page
by Citizens for Truth Contributor
[1] Wavelengths, “Haverhill Councilors Disagree on Developer Payment Under ‘Inclusionary Zoning’ Ordinance, John Lee Grant | August 10, 2023
Massachusetts First 
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