Christenson Will Run for Mayor
The Ward One city councilor said communication would be a hallmark of his administration if elected.
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The worst-kept secret in Malden is no longer a secret: Ward One City Councilor Gary Christenson will run for mayor.
Christenson, who also served on the School Committee, admitted that he's long wanted to run for the top elected position in the city. The four-term councilor said he has wanted to be mayor "since my junior year in high school."
Christenson said he had about a week's notice that Mayor Richard Howard would not seek re-election.
"Last week, he had indicated to me he would make an announcement pretty soon," said Christenson. "He's known about my interest in the position for some time. We spent some time talking about what his plans were and what the future holds for the community."
Christenson said he would use technology to reach out to residents and address their concerns. Part of that would involve working from sites across the city so people would know the mayor was in their neighborhood.
"To me, it all starts and ends with communication," said Christenson. "We're really going to try and use every tool possible to reach out to people."
Christenson said using tools like e-mail, texting, Skype and the Web can keep busy parents and residents with two jobs informed about their city.
Other areas, like virtual crime watches, would be possible using the Web, he said. The city could take the feed from a surveillance camera and stream the image on its Web site. Vigilant residents could then watch the stream and call the police if they see any suspicious activity.
Malden's Financial Trouble Will Greet Any New Mayor
Christenson acknowledged that the budget shortfalls plaguing the city are not likely to be solved before the new mayor is inaugurated after next year's election.
"What I would do January 2012 is take a fresh look at how we do things and why we do things the way we do," said Christenson. "That is no disrespect to the current administration, but in 16 years, people develop routines and ways of doing things, and a fresh look is needed."
Part of that fresh look will be opening the city's books to the public and soliciting ideas about priorities and areas to save, said Christenson.
"The mayor does a budget presentation to the Chamber of Commerce every year. I would do one for the people," he said. "My experience has been that some of the best ideas come from the people."
Christenson said he'd support creating a grant writer position to help all departments secure more available state, federal and private funding for projects and positions.
Public Safety
Christenson, who works as budget director, internal auditor and chief of staff for Middlesex County Sherriff James DiPaola, said he is a law and order politician and will work to find ways to properly fund cops and firefighters in Malden.
"When we give people the opportunity to tell us what their priorities are for the city, we'll see public safety at the top of the list," said Christenson. "We do need to be creative on law and order."
He conceded that maintaining public safety funding while navigating through a budgetary minefield is difficult. He said making those choices must involve explaining why the decisions were made to the public in order to garner support moving forward.
"We want to try to protect who we have now and maintain the services we have," said Christenson. "We have to let the people know, here is our position and here are the options we have. Let them know what decision was made and why."
Pressing Issues for the City
Openness would have been a positive in the Roosevelt Park deal, which was not made pubic until a contract was signed, leading to charges of backroom dealing and consternation about the 20-year term for prime park use by Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, said Christenson.
"Without a doubt, that should have been a proposal that went before the people or at least the parties directly involved," said Christenson.
Christenson said he's also open to tweaking the city's Pay As You Throw program by folding in incentives like retail discounts and gift cards for increased recycling by families. Similar incentive programs are in place in Everett and Revere.
"I would certainly take a look at what advancements have been made in the program as a whole," said Christenson. "The biggest complaint I get two years into the program is about the bags themselves, which are flimsy."
Christenson also discussed changing the City charter to allow for a chief financial officer, rather than co-equal treasurer, controller and assessor positions.
maldensgreat
4:17 pm on Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Yes! Let us know what you need...
Barbara arenella
4:22 pm on Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Talking to my husband---it just the beginning, will he serve out his term as councilor hope so
he is breathe of fresh air like deb fallon --------My husband thinks more people will jump
into the fray before it really gets started----First a Staff, than signatures to put name on ballot,
I know my husband is in the process of doing both;
fivekids5
7:13 am on Thursday, November 4, 2010
If Mr. Christenson always wanted to run for Mayor then why didnt he throw his hat in the ring before Mayor Howard said he would not seek re-election?
Wendy Lerman
10:36 am on Thursday, November 4, 2010
I know Gary had intention to run for Mayor since high school and it's about time:-)
Why he didn't throw his hat in the ring before? Really? Why do you care?
I can honestly say that Gary has the potential to be the best and most efficient Mayor this city has ever seen.
DM02148
11:33 am on Thursday, November 4, 2010
It's a political courtesy...and a good old-fashioned display of respect to await the incumbent's announcement before throwing your own hat in the ring. Support does not get rallied, committees do not get established, and websites the caliber of www.christensonformayor.com do not get up in working order overnight...common sense should make it obvious to most that Gary was well prepared and has been planning to throw his hat in the ring for quite some time.
fivekids5
1:16 pm on Thursday, November 4, 2010
I care Wendy because I will not support someone or consider voting for someone that has an agenda anything similiar to our current Mayor , and perhaps a good old fashion display of respect applies when the current administration is doing a good job, but it has been obvious for a long time that people in our city have not been happy with the current administration and the downward spiral that this city is taking.
Wendy Lerman
7:16 pm on Friday, November 5, 2010
fivekids5,
I understand where you are coming from and your concerns are valid. I will not vote for anyone who will continue to follow the mess of the current admin of this city. This city has the potential to be great, but it can't under the current admin. We need to be heard.
Gary's passion for politcs started when he was a child. He is different from any other polician I've met for many reasons- mainly, because he genuinely cares, is open, and appreciates and utilizes feedback from the people. He has the capacity to be creative and think outside the box.
I know that we can reverse the downward spiral together. We must really dig deep and get to know those who are running for office in our city before deciding who we want to run it.
I myself could never vote for anyone just because I know them or are related to them. I have to be true to myself and to those my decision would affect.
I don't know how many people are going to run for mayor. It doesn't matter because I will be voting for Gary and not because I know him, but because we need him and I have no doubt that he will do right by us all.
Have a great weekend:-)
Wendy
michael harrington
7:58 pm on Saturday, November 6, 2010
Gary is the right choice and right person, the other person is Deborah Fallon but again
lets see what happens in the next few months.
To Frank---watch your back people on here think your a danger to their causes because
of your ideas and work you do on your own.
I live in the neighborhood where the malden crime watch is located and I hear how they
discuss you and why they will try and stop your ideas from going forward.
Do yourself a favor back off Councilor Bucci and her friends do not like you and will say
and do anything to hurt your ideas. Again watch your back see you Tuesday Night and
maybe Friday Night . I understand where your coming from just becareful!
SatnNLace
8:46 pm on Saturday, November 6, 2010
Mr. harrington, I don't know who you are talking about. I would love to know when the people from the Neighborhood Watch said anything about Frank Arenella, or stop his ideas from going forward. I think Councillor Bucci has other things on her mind than to dwell on Frank. One thing I do know is that I am very disappointed that the Patch let Frank aka Barbara Arenella post their hatred on this board. We have been getting threatening e-mails from this man for quite some time. You see, when someone tries to do something good it will be attacked, I am slowly learning this lesson. Mr. harrington, maybe you would like to introduce yourself to me on Tuesday Night, there is a possibility that you might want to join the Neighborhood Watch since you are in my Ward. Looking forward to meeting you.
Toni
michael harrington
9:56 pm on Saturday, November 6, 2010
Michael----Lets start fresh---I do not know what your plans are but I work in the financial
District and live 4 streets from where you live and my neighbors who i associate with have
told me what is going on, I then went back to see what was being said and by whom.
I do not have time to play on here but I do use my computer 90% of the time for my job.
when I read what was being thrown about I understood what my neighbors were telling me
were correct and I care about my property and the incidents that are happening in our
neighborhoods but to make one person a scrapegoat is wrong and i understand why his
wife took issue-----I do not know either but the way I understood the talk people were out
to make him and his wife look stupid.
If anyone has ideas people should back them and also listen to them but when your afraid it
might be right people tend to blackball the person with ideas.
Keep me out of your vendetta because I do not have the time and energy and have a family
to worry about.
I work on State Street and I am trying to figure out how to avoid the Following Construction
one on Route 99 and the on Craige Bridge in front of the Museum of Science.Because two
days week i Traveled those roads.
I will not respond to you or SatnnLace ever again;
I made one statement right,wrong,or lies it was me not anybody else;
I again will say it I work all-day and do not have time for joining groups, I have enough with
my Family.
SatnNLace
7:02 am on Sunday, November 7, 2010
barbara arenella, this is the last time I will defend myself on this site. Let me make it perfectly clear to you, to belong to the Sheriff's Association does not mean that you are a Sheriff or have access to any personal records, you should know that since your niece goes to Harvard and knows everything about me. I do not care about your personal life or your medical records. As a matter of fact, I do not care about you or your family members, what I do care about is that you are slandering my name. You were banned on every other site, but you figured out how to go under different names now and you think nobody knows it's you. People can figure it out very easily because you use the same rhetoric on all the boards. Quite frankly I am sick of your e-mail threats and your hatred towards anyone who dares to disagree with you. You have harassed every City Councillor, the Mayor and other Politicians, then you wonder why no one takes you seriously. I don't hide behind a screen name, everyone knows it's me, but as long as you are allowed to spew your stuff on these boards I will not comment on Malden Patch.
Roberto, just to let you know, it's because of people like Frank no one wants to use their real name. Malden Patch is a great site, it's just a shame that one person can bring it down.
So Frank, aka/barbara/akaMichael Harrington and who ever else you pretend to be I hope you have a great day.
Toni
Jesia Hondura
1:33 pm on Friday, June 8, 2012
Is this Frank Arenella finally locked up? Have not seen him for a year. Guy is a loony.