Massachusetts First

Haverhill 2023 Mayoral Race Part Two – The Issues

The Haverhill Preliminary Mayoral Election is Tuesday, September 12, 2023 After viewing the Greater Haverhill Clergy Association Mayoral Forum, the Haverhill Mayoral Candidate Interviews on Haverhill Community Television, the candidates’ websites, and various news reports, here is a summary of the campaign’s major issues. In Part Three, we will review the candidates’ positions. Public safety:…

“Citizens For Truth”
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The Haverhill Preliminary Mayoral Election is Tuesday, September 12, 2023

After viewing the Greater Haverhill Clergy Association Mayoral Forum, the Haverhill Mayoral Candidate Interviews on Haverhill Community Television, the candidates’ websites, and various news reports, here is a summary of the campaign’s major issues. In Part Three, we will review the candidates’ positions.

Public safety: The city has seen a recent increase in crime, and voters are concerned about the safety of their neighborhoods. Here’s the data for 2019,2020 and 2021 in crime rates per 100,000 residents

YearViolent CrimeProperty Crime
2021529.71,858.3
2020473.41,724.7
2019481.91,697.1
Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program[i]

The candidates have different ideas about how to address this issue, including increasing the number of police officers, investing in crime prevention programs, and working to address the root causes of crime.

Economic development: The city faces economic challenges of high unemployment and a declining tax base. Candidates propose investing in infrastructure, expanding commercial districts, and providing tax breaks.

Education: City schools face declining enrollment and lack of funding. Candidates propose increasing funding, expanding school choice, and changing curriculum. Staff diversity, compared to the student body, is a concern.

Infrastructure: The city’s infrastructure needs repair, including its roads, bridges, and water system. The candidates have different ideas about how to pay for these repairs, including raising taxes, issuing bonds, or using federal funding.

Housing: The city faces a housing crisis with a shortage of affordable housing and a growing homeless population. Candidates offer solutions to build more affordable housing, provide financial assistance better mental health services, and crack down on illegal rentals.

Read more about the Haverhill Mayoral Candidates on our MA1st 2023 Mayoral Candidates page

by Citizens for Truth Contributor

Sources:

[i] https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/home

http://haverhillcommunitytv.org/video/haverhill-mayoral-candidate-interviews-august-2023

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