Primary Primer: Carlos Valadares' First Bid For Framingham Mayor

Framingham MA

01 September, 2021

9:31 AM

Description

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Compared to 2017, Framingham's 2021 mayoral primary is a compact affair. Four years ago, seven people were vying to become the city's first mayor. This year, there are just three in the primary: incumbent Mayor Yvonne Spicer, political veteran Charlie Sisitsky and relative newcomer Carlos Valadares — who has the chance to become Framingham's first mayor of Brazilian heritage. Valadares is the second person from Framingham's large Brazilian community to run for mayor. Now-School Committee member Priscila Sousa came in fourth in the 2017 primary. Valadares, founder of the Brazilian Children's Foundation nonprofit, previously ran for office in 2013 for the Ward 5 Council seat in Marlborough. He was in Brazil in 2017 when Framingham voters narrowly approved a measure to convert to a city. But by 2018 he had returned, and says he greeted Spicer at her inauguration with hope for the new city. Today, he's less sanguine about Spicer's performance, and unsure of Sisitsky's track record. Valadares, 62, has two major campaign planks: No. 1, education, and No. 2, mending some of the problems facing the south side, including homelessness and poverty in the downtown area. "My platform first is education. Education is the key to the success of everyone, from the city to families, for everybody," he says. Ahead of the primary, Patch interviewed each mayoral candidate to find out why they are running in 2021. After the primary, two candidates will advance to compete in the November general election. Here's what Valadares said about his run this year. Why did you decide to run for mayor this year? Tell me about the moment you decided to run. When Framingham became a city 3-1/2 years ago, I was in Brazil. So I said, OK, when I go back, I'm going to run next time. And the time is now. I think the voice of the people of Framingham should be heard by the city, by the mayor, by who is charged to run this city. In downtown Framingham, I had some issues in the place I rent, and there are 43 units in the building. On the second floor, we only have one bathroom — one men's room and one lady's room. And then we have issues [with toilets being broken and clogged], and it took four months, six months to be fixed. In August last year I went to the city and I asked for help. I went to the Board of Health, I complained, I said, "Can someone do something with this situation?" Let me tell you, they did nothing. Maybe two months later, we still have the same problems. I went back to them and said, "OK, if you guys don't do anything, I'm going to complain to the attorney general." I was the whistle blower for all these people in this building. [Valadares went on to describe a situation where he attempted to get the Board of Health to fix the problems in the downtown building, but was unsuccessful, even after providing video evidence of problems like homeless residents getting inside. When he asked for a meeting with the mayor, he was declined, he said.] That to me is a lack of response from the city and the City Hall in Framingham. They listen, but they do lip service and then nothing gets done. When the residents complain about something, they should take a good look and try to resolve the problem, not just push the problem to the side. With the pandemic still going on, how have you been reaching voters before the primary? I'm vaccinated twice and when I go out, I do wear a mask in respect to the people who I'm going to approach. If the person says that I can take the mask off because you're vaccinated, I'm vaccinated, I can do it. But out of respect to the community, to the people who I'm going to talk to, I put a mask on. What are people telling you when you talk to them about running for mayor? What are their concerns? When I was first collecting signatures for my name to be on the ballot, I was at Stop & Shop, and a lot of people were coming to me and saying, "I want to sign because I want to see the mayor go." Some people, before I even opened my mouth, they say, "I want to sign because I want to see change." A lot of people complain about the streets, with a lot of pot holes on city streets. People complain about kids going on the bus from the south to the north of Framingham. And that's something that's not acceptable. We have a lot of more schools in the north of Framingham, but not in the south. Every time I was talking to someone who I was asking to sign for me, they asked me the same question: Why do you want to run for mayor, what do you want to do? I explained to them that I'm outside of the political arena. But I explained to them the way I want to work, I don't want to sit behind my desk all day, I want to go out and talk to the neighborhoods and ask what needs to be done. I want to hear the voice of people. And two days later, or 25 days later, I want to go back and say, "This can be done, this is going to be impossible to be done right now and this is what we can try to do." I want to empower Framingham to give a voice to the people. How do you feel Framingham's Brazilian residents are being represented in local government? Are they being well-served? No. We have Margareth Shepard, who is from District 7, where I live. But besides what Margareth's doing to support the community, from the City Hall I don't think we've got big support. South Framingham [where many Brazilian residents live] is neglected from the current mayor right now. That's my position. What are the main concerns for Brazilian voters? It's about the situation with the schools. Everybody who comes from Brazil, especially the newcomers over the last four years, they all have kids. They all live in south Framingham. That's because when you come to a certain location, you don't have money, you can't afford to live in north Framingham. It's a lack of support for the schools. Last year alone there were six cuts in the budget for the schools, and that's something that's unacceptable. BACKGROUND: Sixth Framingham Schools Budget Cut In 2022 Proposal What do you think of the two other candidates in this race? After the mayor was elected, I went to the inauguration and I shook hands with her. I said, I wish you the very best because ... you know, everything should look good for this city. But unfortunately she did not do it. She has the chance and she throws it away. About Sisitsky, I don't know much about the city when there was Town Meeting. I would sit there and listen, and I know he was there too. I don't have anything personal to say about him. I heard people asked him something and he said, "I don't have to hear the taxpayer." That's wrong. The taxpayer has to be heard. They are the residents of Framingham. I'd like to ask a few quick, more fun questions. What's your favorite restaurant in Framingham? Now you get me in trouble. For many, many years it used to be Pizzeria Uno. But I also liked Ken's Steak House. Because Ken's Steak House is where I started my life when I moved to Framingham. I started as a dishwasher. Then not too long, I became a bus boy But talking about Brazilian food? Don't put me in trouble! What's your favorite cup of coffee? Just the Brazilian coffee. I don't go too much to Dunkin' Donuts to buy coffee because I prefer my own coffee. What's your favorite park? Farm Pond. I like to go to Farm Pond and across from there too. I walk across the street to Cushing Memorial Park. What's the worst intersection in Framingham? Downton Framingham is kind of a nightmare right now with all these lights and all these trucks driving through delivering cars to ADESA. Downtown Framingham, it is the worst. Sometimes during rush hour it takes 20 minutes to cross. When was the last time you took an MWRTA bus? Maybe a year ago. In the past, I rode four or five days on the bus. I sometimes drive to Boston ... but I like to take the train sometimes; it's good. I don't have to drive, I can call people. When there was COVID-19, I said, "Ah I'm a little scared," but I put a mask on to protect myself and you're safe. Learn more about Carlos Valadares' 2021 campaign. This interview was recorded and edited for length and clarity. This article has been updated to change several of Valadares quotes to reflect their intent.