THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 10, 2019 Page 13 POLITICAL | FROM PAGE 5 a formal process for the review and approval of executive session meeting minutes. Homeownership and Housing Aff ordability Before Ryan joined the Council in 2016, close to 1,000 residential units had been recently permitted or approved by the City Council to be built in Malden Center. Even today we still see these previously approved buildings under construction. Unfortunately, while Malden has seen a large amount of residential construction downtown, the fact is that not a single unit built in the recent past is owner occupied or aff ordable. Ryan has made a commitment to encouraging owner occupied projects that bring homeownership opportunities and that strengthen the fi nancial security and fabric of our community. Whether you are a senior looking to age in place as you downsize, or a young person or family looking for your fi rst home, Malden should be able to provide these vital housing options. On the cost of housing, Ryan believes “It is no secret that housing costs in Malden are steadily increasing. On the one hand, the appreciation of home values brings additional wealth to our community, but it also brings higher real estate taxes, higher rents, higher insurance premiums, and a devastating homelessness crisis like we’ve never seen before.” Ryan supports the eff orts of Mass Senior Action Council to pass an Inclusionary Zoning ordinance in Malden to make sure that new projects include a percentage of moderately and aff ordably priced units so that our residents can continue to aff ord to live in Malden. As the proud owner of his family home, Ryan understands the stability that homeownership can provide. Ryan has worked to encourage projects that advance homeownership like the Habitat for Humanity homes currently being built on Main Street across from the Forestdale Cemetery. The Arts Ryan has worked tirelessly with various community groups on arts and culture initiatives that have helped mobilize the arts community in Malden. In 2016, Ryan was one of the creators of the Malden Pops Up! Holiday Arts and Crafts marketplace on Main Street. This project transformed a vacant commercial property, in a highly visible area, into a thriving artist marketplace that metamorphosed into the Gallery and is currently being reborn again into a city wide performance series organized by Malden Creates. While he was on the board of Malden Arts, the signature goal of the organization was the preparation, funding, and development of the ArtLine. The ArtLine is a community funded outdoor art gallery and exhibition space spanning the entire length of Malden’s Northern Strand Trail. When complete it will feature numerous professional murals, sculptures, and performance/gathering spaces. The fi rst mural of the ArtLine is located at Fitzgerald Park on Exchange Street and is dedicated to Malden born illustrator Ed Emberley. The second mural has been designed by Malden born artist Frank Stella and will be located on the Holden Street hockey rink. Open space As a former Park Ranger with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MDC/DCR), Ryan has a long history of being a dedicated steward of public parkland. As Councillor, Ryan has worked closely with the Friends of the Malden River, the Mystic River Watershed Association, MIT, FMRA, MAPC, and the City of Malden on the creation of the Malden River Greenway. Ryan is determined to work with the partners mentioned above, the Federal Government, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to make sure that the People of Malden get what we deserve – a clean and accessible Malden River. As the founding member, Ryan also serves as chair of the City Council’s Community Forestry Program Advisory Committee, which is tasked with drafting an updated plan to increase the tree canopy of Malden. A healthy tree canopy helps reduce air pollution, reduces energy consumption for air-conditioning by reducing temperatures during the summer and improves the overall quality of life in our community. Under Ryan’s direction one of Malden’s most used parks, Coytemore Lea (next to the Holland Memorial Pool), has received over $250k in capital improvements through the Community Development Block Grant. In 2016, a sensory garden was installed through a collaboration with Partnership for Community Schools, and in 2017 a new pathway made the park accessible to all users. This year new light poles will be installed to ensure public safety and accessibility. When asked why he is seeking another term Ryan said, “while SCHOOL | FROM PAGE 12 Raycraft holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Springfield College. He later received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with K-12 Teacher Certifi cation from Plymouth State University, and he is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Education from the University of New England. He is a member of the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, a Registered a lot of progress has been made over the last few years there is still so much work to be done. Whether it is rooting out decades of entrenched corruption, or advocating for the proactive replacement of century old gas mains and water pipes, I am prepared to get my hands dirty for the betterment of Malden. It is with that in mind that I humbly ask for your continued support and for your vote of confi dence on Election Day – Tuesday, November 5, 2019.” The Committee to Elect Ryan O’Malley invites the Malden community to join us at Ryan’s campaign kickoff Thursday, June 6, 2019 6 PM – 8 PM at Hugh O’Neill’s, 45 Pleasant Street, Malden. If you cannot attend but would like to show your support please go to (https://secure.actblue.com/donate/romkickoff ). Athletic Administrator and, as of May 2019, a Certifi ed Athletic Administrator. Raycraft is also a member of the New Hampshire Athletic Directors Association and the National Football Foundation. A product of Catholic education, Raycraft is a graduate of Bishop Brady High School in Concord, N.H. His father, Joe Raycraft, was a longtime athletic director and football, basketball and softball coach at Merrimack High School in Merrimack, N.H. 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