Beverly Candidate Profile: Stacy Ames For City Council

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly will have contested races for City Council in Wards three and five and a contested school committee race in Ward Four this fall. Beverly Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Stacy Ames, 58, is one of four candidates running for the Ward 3 seat on City Council. Ames is president of Salem-based Falmer Thermal Spray. This is her first run for elected office, but she does serve on the board of the Beverly Educational Foundation and Girls Inc.

Are you running for office in Beverly? Contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Peabody Patch.

Previously on Patch: Beverly Election 2019: Here's Who's Running

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Since May, I have been listening to people as I’ve gone door to door and certain problems are brought up over and over again. Managing Beverly’s growth is a major concern. Housing has become a serious issue for middle class citizens. While new high end developments add to the housing stock, they are unaffordable for older citizens and young couples who want to stay in Beverly. If we want to keep our older citizens and younger couples here, the city must be proactive in reaching a balance in housing development that considers people of all ages and economic means. The city council should insist on this and I would be an advocate for new housing affordable to these groups who are now caught in the middle.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Each candidate offers something different but I believe I am the only candidate who combines the diverse community involvement, independence, budget knowledge. business experience and common sense necessary to be a strong and responsive advocate for Ward 3 residents at City Hall. I am committed to ensuring Ward 3 issues receive the attention they deserve.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

With the departure of Councilor Latter, the Ward 3 City Council election is an open seat. I am not running against anyone, I am running for Ward 3 residents and for Beverly. As the current Beverly 2030 Planning initiative gets going, I do not want the city to lose sight of the 2020 problems that exist right now. Ward 3 is the “Heart of Beverly” with unique challenges in housing, traffic, schools, public safety and community services.

I think Beverly can do better for Ward 3, and can be a better city, if we have an open and inclusive city government listening to and working with all Beverly citizens to solve these problems. That’s why I am running for the council.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

My priorities are based on what matters to residents in Ward 3. High traffic congestion creates problems throughout the ward, pedestrian safety issues are increasing with the traffic volume, unaddressed road maintenance and a backlog of sidewalk repairs is evident in our Ward 3 neighborhoods. Some patched up side streets have not been repaved in decades. Maintaining the quality of our schools continues to be a concern for Ward 3 parents. Senior and veteran housing and services need special attention. And we need to support our public safety departments by ensuring an adequate work force and up-to-date equipment.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I run a small manufacturing company in Salem. Running that family business for 40 years has taught me how to work with others, solve problems and implement effective solutions. I understand budgets and know how to create goals and achieve them.

I have never run for office before but have always been active in community affairs. I am on the Board of the Beverly Education Foundation that enriches and supports Beverly Schools. I am also a Beverly Bank Corporator, enhancing communication between the Bank and community.
I volunteer to help with Family Promise’s Cardboard Box City Fundraising.

My greatest achievement is being the mother of a 19 year old UMass-Lowell student. As any mother can attest, this role has taught me dedication, compassion, patience and organization. While my son, Ben, was at BHS, I even played Momball, and was Football Parent Volunteer and Wrestling Team Parent Coordinator.

I would welcome the opportunity to apply all of these skill sets to the job of Ward 3 Councilor.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

My mother went to Beverly’s old Washington Beadle School and was the first person in her family to go to college. Her hard work made going to Wheaton College possible for me. And like her, I have been interested in education, politics and public affairs my whole life. She always quoted Harry Truman who said, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit,” I believe that’s still true. I think local government works best when you get more people involved in solving problems. Leaving it up to the same select few is not as productive. New, fresh voices can add a lot to the discussion and that’s what I hope to add to the Beverly City Council.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I pay attention. I would like Ward 3 voters to know that they can always count on me to listen to them, to respond to them and to take action on their behalf. I will let them know what’s going on…before decisions are made not after. I will stand up for their interests. I will work with other city officials to get things accomplished for Ward 3 residents but I will never be a rubber stamp or a go-along-just-to-get-along person. Because what matters to Ward 3 families, children, seniors, veterans and neighborhoods will always matter most to me. It would be an honor to represent them.

Previously Published Beverly Candidate Profiles:

Candidates for reelection are marked with an asterisk (*).

City Council, Ward Three

Stacy Ames

Euplio "Rick" Marciano

Kris Silverstein

City Council, Ward 5

Don Martin *

School Committee, Ward 4

Jeffrey C. Silva