THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 30, 2021 Page 3 ~ Political Announcement ~ THE PAST, THE PRESENT, THE FUTURE Simonelli Seeks to Re-energize Ward 7 T he calls began almost immediately. Friends, family, and neighbors encouraging me to get back involved in politics and start a campaign to return as Ward 7 Councillor. Neal Anderson had announced he would not seek reelection. Of course, the first thing I did was talk it over with my family. The question was, did I have to offer what Ward 7 needs today? As I began to think more seriously about a campaign, I spoke to friends and neighbors in the Ward. Knocking on doors will tell you a lot about what the residents are feeling, and four generations of Simonellis in Ward 7 leaves me with deep relationships to call upon. I was eager to find out how the issues on the minds of voters had changed in the past 10 years. THE PAST Having served as Ward 7 Councillor from 1998 to 2008, my track record is well documented. As the Ward 7 Councillor, I focused on affordable housing, public safety, and green space, and did so with innovative solutions. Affordable Housing The fruits of our labor on affordable housing can be found throughout Ward 7. In the areas of Cross Street, Grape Street and Bryant Street, we created affordable home ownership opportunities by developing underutilized city parcels, and making the single-family homes available through preferences to Malden residents. This took coordinating activities across multiple governmental agencies, and filing state legislation needed to support the land disposition. The end result was worth it. Across from Lincoln Commons, and working with Housing Families, we developed a unique affordable housing solution that integrated life skills training and provided a permanent home for Housing Families. We did so only after we held multiple neighborhood meetings to gain valuable feedback from residents that only strengthened the end result. As a Ward Councillor, I understood that affordable housing solutions needed to solve multiple challenges, and worked tirelessly on real solutions that met those challenges. Public Safety My over 20 years of experience in law enforcement has taught me that public safety starts with community involvement. An engaged community is a commitChris Simonelli Candidate for Ward 7 City Councillor ted community. During my tenure, we focused on programs that fostered a strong and trusting relationship with law enforcement, while educating our residents on the perils of drugs and violence. We created programs that engaged the Ward 7 community through things like after school programs, embraced community policy, and in the process drove down crime to all-time lows. Recreation and Green Space There was a time when Ward 7 was the forgotten Ward when it came to green space. Those days are gone. The creation of Lincoln Commons, a spectacular passive recreation space on the site of the old Lincoln Junior High, is a textbook example of collaboration and innovation. The neighborhood supported the creation of passive recreation space, but the funding was a challenge. By accessing a variety of funding sources, including Community Development Grant money, we were able to deliver the neighborhood a park they could be proud of. We followed that up by securing grant funding from private sources like Pepsi and AT&T to deliver the first ever skate park in Malden. We renovated Miller Park with a new basketball court, planted new trees, expanded green space, and added a tot lot. Together we led the way in the creation of unique recreation space with thoughtful funding plans. THE PRESENT As I’ve begun to knock doors, attend neighborhood events, connect with old friends, it’s clear that some of the challenges of old have resurfaced, along with some new ones. Residents of Ward 7 want to see a concerted effort to reduce crime. I agree. Lifelong residents of Ward 7 want to see us address the skyrocketing cost of housing. There is a strong need for greater investment in our roads and sidewalks. Our lower income residents and our communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Our seniors, for whom COVID had a devastating impact leaving many feeling isolated and lonely, are in need of extra attention through focused programs and support. The Ward is thirsty for new leadership, new THE PAST| SEE PAGE 11 Lawrence A. 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