Amy Roe For Mayor Kickoff at the Saigon Restaurant in the Newark Shopping Center. Amy writes ~ Thanks to my dear friends and neighbors for making my campaign kickoff such a fun success!
Candidate Statement ~
As a long-time advocate at all levels of government, I am dedicated to our neighborhoods and will not shy away from the pressing challenges that we face. I will not serve as Mayor for ceremonial purposes, but for the purposes of good governance. I will stand up for you. I will stand up for Newark.Amy Roe For Mayor Campaign CalendarGovernment Accountability
I support an open and transparent government and I will advocate for accountability by our elected officials and city staff. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I will make the process of engaging our government a more respectful and rewarding experience for Newarkers.
Oversight over our electric utility is an important responsibility of Mayor and Council that is too-often overlooked, yet it is the primary source of revenue in the municipal budget.
I will improve opportunities for public engagement in all land-use, policy and utility decisions that impact our quality of life, and I will focus on the structural ways to enhance this dialogue within the Mayor and Council process. I will pay attention, so when important things are happening, we can have a meaningful public discussion as a community before decisions are made.Healthy Communities
While new challenges are certain to emerge, recent fossil fuel development projects have the potential to introduce new pollutants and health risks into our neighborhoods. Protecting our communities, schools, parks and businesses from the health and safety risks of the recent storage and potential combustion of fossil fuels in Newark will have lasting impacts on our quality of life. I am devoted to our neighborhoods. If elected, I will work to protect community health and quality of life.Affordable Housing
Rents in Newark are among the highest in the state, and the combination of high housing costs and high utility costs not only makes housing affordability difficult, it also reduces opportunities for home ownership. Unfortunately, much of the discussion at City Council about the responsibility to provide housing has focused on high-rent student housing developments, some of which raise concerns for established neighborhoods with long-term residents. The infiltration of new student housing developments in established neighborhoods is also impacting local rents, traffic and noise, leading to quality of life as well as affordability concerns. The problem of adequate affordable housing will not be solved by market-forces alone. If elected, I will advocate for the housing needs of all of Newark’s residents, not just the need for student housing.Electric Utility and City Revenues
Newark has a municipal electric utility that is the largest single source of revenue for city operations, contributing over ten million dollars to our annual budget. The utility is accountable to the public via Mayor and Council. Unfortunately, City Council has not undertaken its responsibility for overseeing utility affairs with the attention that it requires. I will prioritize the issue of utility and revenue review and consider what options are available that could make utility discussions more transparent and meaningful.Empowered Local Business
I worked in Main Street businesses for more than a decade and I understand how the challenges that Newark faces in parking, traffic congestion, utility rates, special events, street-scaping and other concerns impact the ability of small and locally-owned businesses to thrive. Newark has made great strides to improve Main Street’s appeal, but could also benefit from a Mayor who has experience in the day-to-day business environment of Main Street.Vibrant and Resilient City
- Empowered downtown businesses
- Meaningful stormwater management to prevent flooding
- Locally-generated renewable energy
- Healthy urban forests
- Walkable and bikeable streets
- Cultural diversity and social equality
A Vision for the Future
My knowledge and experience of the issues facing Newark inform a vision of resilience for our community.
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