Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll Touts COVID Recovery, Climate, Equity Work

Salem MA

29 April, 2022

10:48 AM

Description

SALEM, MA — Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll reflected on the transformation of the city during her 16 years in office and the work still to be done during what may be her final State of the City Address to the City Council Thursday night. Driscoll, who announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor in January less than two months after winning her fifth term, highlighted the city's COVID-19 recovery, climate initiatives, housing, schools and work to create more equity in the city during a speech that was more overarching and lighter on specific priorities than some years past. "We're rebuilding and recovering from this historic (coronavirus) crisis," Driscoll said. "We're leveraging and investing relief funds sustainably and equitably into programs aimed at improving public health access and outcomes; strengthening our local economy, supporting renters, workers and families, boosting our public schools, and preparing for future challenges." Driscoll cited a record-low downtown storefront vacancy rate and low unemployment as a sign the city weathered the pandemic as well as possible through the work of small business owners and the city's Economic Recovery Task Force. She also credited the Board of Health — who voted to impose a Halloween negative-test requirement for large indoor events and a temporary indoor mask mandate and vaccination-proof order amid the omicron surge in January — for making "difficult, but appropriate decisions in the face of an overwhelming crisis and public scrutiny." She also praised the school community staff for dedication and perseverance during two years of disrupted learning. Driscoll lauded the city's financial stability compared to when she first took office in 2006. "Because of our stewardship, we've made historic investments in parks, schools, infrastructure and public safety," she said. "We did this, together, by setting aside the pettiness of political bickering and getting behind a unified vision for a city with a rich history and an even brighter future." She said she looks forward to the future of a city where every child has access to pre-kindergarten, continues to develop public, ride-sharing and environmentally beneficial public transportation and will be at the forefront of clean energy with the planned offshore wind development. "We don't have the luxury of waiting for problems to solve themselves," she said. "We have to get stuff done every day. Because great communities don't happen by accident. They take careful, intentional, and inclusive planning and dedicated action. "It's not always easy, and it's often messy, but it's truly meaningful work. We get to make a positive difference in the daily lives of the people we serve — our friends and neighbors. "I'm proud of the vision we have for our community — one that is inclusive, just, professionally run and committed to the people we serve." (Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)