Carlos Henriquez, a candidate running to unseat District 7 Councillor Chuck Turner, stepped up his criticism this week, saying Turner’s 10 years on the City Council have not led to “any significant changes on public alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and prostitution in Dudley and along Blue Hill Avenue.”
Local parks and streets, like Blue Hill Ave., remain dirty, he added in an 852-word email to supporters.
“Chuck Turner passed an ordinance banning machetes, which are already illegal in Boston,” he wrote. “Banning machetes will not decrease violence in our District or City. He has passed an ordinance banning the sale of crack pipes in stores. Banning the sale of crack pipes will not stop drug abuse on our city streets. As Councilor, I will make sure the efforts taken are effective and deliver actual results.”
Henriquez, a former aide to City Councillor At-Large Michael Flaherty and the son of a top Boston housing official who just joined the Obama administration, stayed away from the topic of Turner’s indictment on federal corruption charges, as he has pledged to do.
Write-ups of their debate on TOUCH 106.1 FM earlier this week are here (Bay State Banner) and here (Universal Hub).
Perennial candidates Roy Owens and Althea Garrison are also running in the race.
Turner won handily when Henriquez first ran against him in 2007.
Here’s Henriquez’s email in full:
August 26, 2009
Dear Friend,
Experience does not mean Effective.
Fighting does not always deliver Results.
Chuck Turner will have you believe that in these tough times, his 69 years of life experience and 10 years as Councilor is what is needed to get us through some of the difficult issues we face.
However, the issues we face in District 7 are not new issues. They have existed for the 10 years Chuck Turner has been in office. Experience alone doesn’t deliver resources to the District or the doorstep of residents. And fighting for the community doesn’t translate into results the way that every day work does.
Chuck Turner’s experience in office has not delivered clean streets and parks for families.
As Councilor, I will ensure our streets and parks are clean by working directly with residents and public works to make sure there is a regular maintenance schedule. I will also organize volunteer clean ups for residents to take part in the beautification of our own communities.
Chuck Turner’s experience as Councilor has not made any significant changes on public alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and prostitution in Dudley and along Blue Hill Avenue. For 10 years, children have had to travel to and from school through this type of environment. Chuck’s idea of increasing the fines for “Johns†that solicit prostitutes is not enough.
As Councilor, I will organize regular safety meetings that involve the BPD, business owners, and residents. We will set hours for a walking/bicycle beat. We will advocate for services for alcohol and drug abusers.
Chuck Turner passed an ordinance banning machetes, which are already illegal in Boston. Banning machetes will not decrease violence in our District or City. He has passed an ordinance banning the sale of crack pipes in stores. Banning the sale of crack pipes will not stop drug abuse on our city streets. As Councilor, I will make sure the efforts taken are effective and deliver actual results.
Forming coalitions are helpful only if residents are aware of them and if the commitment and follow through is present to produce results. I will work to open schools after hours to create more safe places for our youth to socialize and extend their learning day.
It is not enough to collect data and study reports. Children are dying at the hands of children.
Students are giving up on education – their best chance of escaping poverty and advancing themselves in life.
Seniors are losing the homes that they have put their blood, sweat, and tears into.
Mothers and Fathers cannot find work that will help put food on the dinner table.
If we are going to affect these issues it will be through new energy and a real focus on action and work.
We need this energy and focus from a leader that can relate to and deal with our present challenges and raise awareness & participation as we develop a better future.
After 10 years of the same leadership, ask yourself if you have seen suitable improvement in these problem areas that have existed since 1999. Ask yourself if you have been engaged, informed, and empowered to create change around these issues by your current Councilor. Ask yourself is 10 years long enough to wait to see Blue Hill Avenue cleaned up? Is 10 years long enough to wait for a Councilor to work directly with the youth and community to decrease the drop-out rate and violence? Are you ready to have a Councilor that rolls up his sleeves and walks the District every month to hear from you to make sure your streets and parks aren’t covered with glass, graffiti and trash?
I think you have waited long enough.
I am committed to serving community by bringing a new energy and focus to the District. I will build on the work Chuck Turner has done. I will also improve efforts where we have fallen short. I will maintain an open ear and door for all residents regardless of nationality, age, or income level to create solutions. I will tour the entire district regularly with residents and community organizations. I will use each and every tool at my disposal to keep every resident engaged, informed and empowered about challenges and opportunities.
As a candidate and man of my community, I stand on the shoulders of giants. I will use my 18 years of community service and organizing to keep you informed and to ask you to keep me informed. I will use my 10 years of working in customer service to make sure you receive quick and effective responses to your concerns. I will use my experience as service director for At- Large Councilor Michael Flaherty to make sure city services are delivered to the district and your doorstep. I will use my 32 years of life experience to bridge the generation gap between our 2 most valuable resources – our elders and our youth.
Show your commitment to bringing a new energy and focus by voting for me on:
Tuesday September 22, 2009 and Tuesday November 3, 2009
Serving Community,
Carlos “Tony†Henriquez
