Candidate Profile: Roberto DiMarco, Councillor At Large

MALDEN, MA — Roberto DiMarco is one of six candidates vying for three city councillor at large seats in the Nov. 2 municipal election. The at-large race is Malden's only citywide election this year, but there are also elections for city council and school committee in certain wards.

Malden Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles this week.

DiMarco is an attorney in private practice and former special needs teacher. He is the former chair of the Malden Conservation Commission and commissioner of the Community Preservation Committee.

Are you running for office in Malden? Contact Alex Newman at alex.newman@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Malden Patch.

Age (as of Election Day)

49

Position Sought

City Councilor At-Large

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Wife- MT Davila, Professor of Christian Ethics at Merrimack College. We have four children ranging in ages 12-19, attending various schools.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

I have several cousins and distant relatives working in government.

Education

Malden Public Schools until 8th grade
graduate of Malden Catholic High School
Brown University A.B.
Northeastern University School of Law JD

Occupation

Attorney in private practice for 22 years. Previously I was a special needs teacher.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Chair of Malden Conservation Commission 15+ years
Commissioner - Community Preservation Commission - 3 years

Campaign website

www.dimarcoformalden.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have spent my professional life serving in a variety of capacities. During this time, I have accumulated an immense amount of experience in law and government in my law practice. I wish to use those skills and knowledge to serve my community and work to expand the opportunities for our city's residents.

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

Mental health services and equal access to resources.

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

I believe that we can engage in civil discourse on issues important to all residents, regardless of their political beliefs. Maldonians need to work with one another in a manner where all of our residents are given a voice on the future of our city. The vast majority of our city's residents believe in supporting one another and in engaging in hard discussions that lead to progress. Those few who would breed discord cannot be allowed to lead the discussion. Labels and personal attacks lead to bad neighbors. Openness and civic engagement lead to positive relationships.

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

Most of our current leadership have served honorably. The few who allow differing views to lead to personal attacks fail as leaders. We must remember that disagreement does not mean the other side loves this city and its residents any less. We should all have the same goals of improving the lives of our residents but especially those who are marginalized. Since the economic downturn in 2008, it has become more challenging to ensure that everyone benefits from the progress in the city. Leadership needs to pay closer attention to those who continue to struggle and the newly vulnerable of the pandemic. So long as all support social justice and equality, policy differences do not have to be divisive.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Our city did well and continues to respond effectively. It is evident that both on the local and national level, the pandemic demonstrated that these far-reaching challenges require urgent and innovative collaborations between public and private sectors. From the development of the vaccine to addressing local food and housing challenges, the work of meeting these needs required unique and powerful partnerships. Malden mainly accomplished this. No one was prepared for the impact on families, children, education and our senior residents. Coordinating efforts across sectors was challenging and imperfect but Malden accomplished much and now needs to address the aftermath by helping those who did not get the help they needed then.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Social justice issues must remain a focus of our leadership. Pragmatic approaches to infrastructure that controls for budgetary limits and addresses large issues (lead pipes, flooding, street maintenance, housing etc) are important. These challenges have a disparate impact on different sectors of our city. We need to seek out those in need and address their issues.

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

I have fought for the rights of Malden residents for over 20 years. I have both worked against and worked with city leadership to bring reformation where necessary. I have created affordable housing, new businesses, large scale projects, new jobs etc., all while being a private resident.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

God gave us one mouth and two ears, so that we would learn to listen twice as much as we talk. Actively listen to others, and, if you must speak, try asking for more information. You'll be surprised at what you learn.

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

My calls for unity and an end to personal attacks have been mistakenly called an aversion to fights and a fairy tale. As an attorney I literally fight every day for my clients' rights. Fights do not concern me. What concerns me is a lack of material debate and engagement. We lose precious time and resources when leadership engages in pointless attacks instead of debating material issues. Even wildly differing views can find common ground if the different sides can learn to listen and talk.