As a reminder, two candidates are running for Mayor of Methuen. The election is on November 7, 2023. Remember to vote – early voting, by mail or in person!
- Neil Perry – Incumbent Mayor
- Matthew Wicks – Methuen businessman
The October edition of Methuen Life has a profile of both these candidates and profiles for candidates running for other offices.
Candidates’ financial status as of September 30. 2023[1]
| Candidate | Beginning Balance | August Expenditures | Cash on Hand |
| Perry | $28,141.74 | $3,909.86 | $24,231.88 |
| Wicks | No Report |
On October 13, the Methuen Community Studios held a mayoral forum.
Wicks declared that he was not taking any donations and would not hold fundraisers. This is a matter of preserving his integrity. He believes it keeps him free of influencers and people looking for favors.
The candidates agreed on many issues. Those included the city’s infrastructure, governing with transparency and integrity, schools and public safety, affordable housing for seniors, dealing with migrants housed in the city by the state, no banning of books in schools, preserving the city’s history while pursuing development, and working with the school committee to be flexible in dealing with unforeseen circumstances.
There were some differences. In response to a question about how they would use a budget surplus, Perry said he would meet with the departments and prioritize the use of that money. Wilks responded with a need for management personnel that could avoid waste and prevent a return to the situation that put the city in receivership.
Perry would focus the use of the vacated Dixon Building on services and activities for youth. Wilks would use it to provide affordable housing for seniors.
The two differed on the city’s biggest challenge. Perry sees mental health issues as the biggest. He sees that the pandemic took a toll on youth and senior citizens. He wants more funding to help police with mental health problems and to address homelessness. Wilks believes the city’s biggest challenge is favoritism in government and that people should be hired on merit, not who they know.
by Citizens for Truth Contributor
Watch the full debate here:
https://player.methuentv.org/vod/9343
[1] Source: Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (ocpf.us)
Massachusetts First 
Leave a comment