Q&A WITH The Mayor, on Year One

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Malden?s inaugurated its first new mayor in 16 years when former Ward One City Councillor Gary Christenson took the oath of office on Jan. 2, 2012. The Observer recently caught up with Christenson to discuss how things went in year one, and ask about what?s on tap for 2013?

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Q In January, you'll mark one year since being inaugurated. How would you describe your first year in office?

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A. It?s been non-stop from day one. Some caution me to slow down, but I live by the adage that what you put in is what you get out.

I am working as hard as I can on a daily basis to help our community achieve success because that?s what our residents expect and deserve. I find that by being out in the community I am able to actually meet our residents and business owners whose ideas and suggestions provide a valuable resource in improving services.

All in all, it?s been a great first year and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve this community.

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Q What are your favorite accomplishments from the first year?

A Our enhanced means of communicating directly with the community is one of my favorite and proudest accomplishments. From Facebook to Twitter to Online Forums, these outlets encourage community participation and allow residents the ability to interact with us more easily.

I am also proud of the opportunities and resources we have provided our youth. The Mayor?s Summer Jobs for Teens program tripled the number of youth served last summer and I was delighted to be at the recent ribbon cutting of the Malden Teen Enrichment Center. Our teens now have a safe place to do their homework and learn new life skills.

I was also honored to assist with the Macdonald Stadium renovation and the development of our Bike to the Sea path.

Additionally, from a city financial perspective, I found it very rewarding to be able to increase the residential tax exemption from 20 to 30 percent and adopt a policy that will require the city to keep 7.5 percent worth of reserves in place, which will improve the city?s long-term financial standing.

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Q How about the greatest challenges?

A Without a doubt, crime prevention has been the biggest challenge. I remember each incident like it was yesterday but on a positive note, I remember the response of our police officers. They are working hard and while we continue to rebuild the ranks, I believe some of the short-term strategies-- like meeting with the Middlesex District Attorney?s Office on a monthly basis to track some of our more problematic individuals-- and working to bring in an organization like Roca, Inc. to deliver high-risk intervention services will help in the interim.

Of course, some of these initiatives cost money and that also continues to be a challenge for Malden. Just this month, the state imposed mid-year cuts and with the looming fiscal problems at the federal level, budget concerns will remain a great test moving forward.

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Q What do you anticipate being your top priorities in 2013?

A Moving City Hall, reconnecting Pleasant Street, and redeveloping the current Government Center site to connect the MBTA with our downtown.

?To address the challenges outlined above, the City will need to generate more revenue and development of this parcel and the enhancement of our downtown economy is the way to accomplish that goal.

?Replacing the current National Grid site with a 6,500 baseball park is another means to support that goal.

Along those lines, another important priority will be to relocate Public Works and consolidate some of our other departments to provide one-stop shopping for our customers.

?I look forward to seeing recommendations from the groups of residents reviewing PAYT and Walkability that can be implemented in the New Year. The adoption of a Capital Improvement Program will be an important item for the City. Street and sidewalk improvements along with technology initiatives will be a featured part of our proposal to the City Council in early 2013.

In regards to technology, we will be introducing a new way for residents and businesses to submit their service requests to the city. In March 2013, modeling the City of Boston?s successful Citizens Connect Smartphone application, Malden will be adopting and expanding the use of this function. As an example, if a resident sees graffiti on the street they can simply take a picture using their Smartphone and with one click the request will be automatically sent to the Department of Public Works. Once the graffiti is removed, the resident will be notified on their Smartphone that the issue has been resolved. Being fiscally prudent to address the ongoing budget issues at the state and federal levels will also be a major priority.

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Q Anything else you'd like to add?

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A As I mentioned above, I am truly honored to play an important role in Malden?s future and I look forward to working with the entire community to add to Malden?s Strong Past and Proud Future. In the meantime, I would like to wish everyone a safe and wonderful holiday season.

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Source: http://www.wickedlocal.com/malden/news/x1926901629/Q-A-WITH-The-Mayor-on-Year-One

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