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Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 27, 2023 DEBATE | FROM PAGE 1 ty, at a debate at the Washington Street Senior/Teen Center Wednesday, October 18 sponsored by the Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition (GMAACC). “You know me and know I will always give it my all,” Christenson said. “I’m proud of our track record of results that build on the past and look to the future.” “Access, access, access,” Alvarado stressed. “The priority I will bring is more access and outreach in the city and reprioritizing and refocusing our practices. It’s important we engage our community where they’re at and fi nd out what’s happening in the neighborhoods to mold policy.” In her opening statement she pointed out she had worked for Barack Obama when he was a senator and president, overseeing appointments to posts. “I have the credentials and grit to be leader of the city,” she feels. The event ran about 90 minutes and was attended by about 140 people. The moderator was Leverett Wing, president and CEO of the Commonwealth Seminar, an educational tool for legislators and leaders. Alvarado and Christenson were questioned by 16-yearold High School junior Shawn Chen, the youth member of GMAACC’s Board of Directors; 17-year-old High School senior Ada Li, a member of the Youth Committee of the Asian Community Development Corporation, and middle-aged Calvin Walker, president of the state Senior Action Committee’s Metro North branch. GMAACC founding member Diana Jeong said the inclusion of the Malden High School students on the panel was “to include our youth. We want to give them a platform.” Given that, it was not surprising that Li asked the candidates about how they would engage young people in local government. “Teen voices should be heard to get input from the voters of tomorrow,” Alvarado answered. She also said she would fi nd new space for a Teen Enrichment Center and create a Youth Council, as is done in many other communities. “We’d continue doing what we’re doing,” Christenson answered, referencing the work of the Teen Enrichment Center and Summer Youth Employment Offi ce and his monthly meetings with the Malden Promise Coalition. Li also asked the candidates if they would work to create shaded bus stop structures for the many Middle and High School students who take buses every day. Alvarado answered that she plans to increase the number of bus stop shelters to create “safe spaces for students and seniors to take a trip that is already time consuming.” She also said reinstituting student busing will alleviate traffi c in the city by “taking cars off the road and making sure students get to school on time” and a senior shuttle will also help alleviate traffi c and increase senior access to all parts of the city. Christenson countered that the cost of student busing is “astronomical” and would take away money for other things. In response to a question from Chen about improving the school system, he added that the recent $12 million increase in the school budget was the largest in Malden history, although admitted that some of that money came from state sources. Alvarado answered that she has four children in the Malden Public Schools and the issue of class size needs to be addressed. Both candidates said they would work with Malden’s state senators and representatives to change aid funding formulas to increase aid. Calvin asked how the issue of the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School buying Malden property, shrinking the tax base, should be addressed. Alvarado responded that she pulled her children out of charter schools and objected when a charter school bought a building in Maplewood Square rather than spend money on education. “We need the foresight to purchase property before the MVRCS, possibly through the Aff ordable Housing Trust Fund,” she feels. “We did not know that block was for sale,” Christenson countered. “When we did, we stepped in to make sure tenants weren’t evicted and now they’re in stable housing.” He added that he’s had disputes with charter schools, including use of sports fi elds by Malden students, but “you have to keep the lines of communication open.” This dovetailed with a question from Li about the rising price of housing and creating more aff ordable housing. Christenson touted the work of the Offi ce of Housing Stability and Malden’s strong Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. “By continuing to work and making it a priority, as the administration has been doing, we’ll increase the number of units over the next four years,” he said. “It’s something I hear a lot about,” Alvarado said about the issue. “We have seniors being priced out of their homes.” She suggested rent control be considered as an option, but under parameters that would exclude landlords who own one or two double- and triple-deckers “that tend to charge less because they’re generating income for themselves, not corporations.” She also said the city might be able to help fi rst-time homebuyers with down payments. Calvin and Li both asked questions about climate change and Malden’s status as a heat island. Alvarado lamented the conversion of Roosevelt Park to artifi cial turf and feels the Master Plan and Open Space Plan must be updated to prioritize green and open space, walkability and public transportation to “make sure we’re treating all wards equitably. We have an environmental quality equity issue. There are some wards that suff er more than others.” Christenson countered that the Master Plan and Open Space Plan will be updated soon and some action was delayed due to the pandemic. “We’ll continue to do what we’re doing and follow the Environmental Action Plan and garner resources from the state,” he said. He also touted solar panels at the DPW, use of electric motor vehicles by city departments and the recent planting of 2,400 trees. On the issue of pedestrian safety, Christenson said, “I’d continue to do what we’ve been doing,” referring to work and money spent on bike paths, walk signals and a recent Community Development Block Grant of $200,000 to improve pedestrian safety. “You have my commitment to continue to look at pedestrian safety and allocate resources to do so.” Alvarado answered that the issues of traffi c, pedestrian safety, walkability and open space are all interconnected and need to be addressed in a comprehensive fashion. Chen asked a catch-all question about how each candidate would ensure Malden is a safe and inclusive environment. “We are a very diverse community and there’s a concern of safety in the community when you don’t speak the dominant language,” Alvarado answered. “We need to make sure Malden is safe for our various communities and have a zero-tolerance policy for hate. Everyone should be able to live here without fear of hate towards them. We need to make sure people have access in the language they speak and expand constituent services and triage to deliver services to the right place in various languages.” She also suggested creation of an Offi ce of Public Engagement. Christenson answered that he would provide the fi re and police departments the resources they need that “will lead to a safer community. We’ll also continue to use our language access coordinator and translate vital documents. We meet with a number of organizations to make sure we build access to all at City Hall. As Mayor I represent all residents.” He advised against the creation of an Offi ce of Public Engagement, feeling that is already the job of city offi cials. Both candidates felt the debate went well. Christenson felt he was eff ective in getting his points across, “even more so.” “It was fantastic,” Alvarado concluded. “I think people are ready for a change.” She feels it will be a close race. 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