D'Arcangelo Throws Hat in At-Large Ring

Malden resident and communications consultant David D’Arcangelo has announced a bid for Councilor-At-Large. The political veteran said he believes he can build on a strong showing in 2009 to win one of three at-large seats on the City Council.

“I was the fourth-highest vote-getter last cycle,” said D’Arcangelo. “I feel like I have a really good shot this time.”

D’Arcangelo is no stranger to politics. He’s the current chair of the Republican Town Committee and worked for years in the state house, first for governors Bill Weld and Paul Carlucci, and then as a municipal liaison in former State Senator Richard Tisei’s office.

D’Arcangelo has also worked in the private sector, most recently as a communications consultant. He said both the public and private experience gave him a unique point of view.

“I know firsthand what small businesses are going through,” said D’Arcangelo. “I know what residents are going through because I’ve gone through it.”

D’Arcangelo said he would support a balanced budgeting approach that involves cutting services and increasing revenue to bridge the city’s looming budget gap.

“It has to be a multi-faceted approach,” he said. “I support Governor [Deval] Patrick’s plan to have cities and towns join the [Government Insurance Commission health insurance] plan. We’d save a lot of money to tackle other problems.”

D’Arcangelo said he would not pursue “draconian” policies to solve the cities budget woes. Instead, he said he’d work with all the stakeholders to find solutions.

“We have to work with all of the unions and say, ‘Hey, listen, it’s tough times. What can we do to keep the most people employed without cutting too hard into your way of life?” he said.

To attract businesses, D’Arcangelo said he would reduce the commercial tax rate in town.

“One of the first papers I’ll file is to lower the commercial tax rate,” said D’Arcangelo. “We’ll be able to attract more business.”

The initial revenue drop would be more than offset by the sheer volume of business flooding into Malden, according to D’Arcangelo.

“Sure, we’ll lose revenue per business, but we’ll bring more in, it’ll more than offset it, and guess what else it’ll bring in? Jobs,” said D’Arcangelo.

D’Arcangelo said he continues to support connected Malden Center along Pleasant Street to the MBTA station. He said replace the brick wall between Government Center Plaza and Commercial Street with wide, inviting steps could drive more foot traffic in front of the shops in the area.

“If we take the wall down, maybe we can funnel off 10 percent [of the commuters] into downtown Malden everyday,” he said. “It would change the message to, ‘We’re open. Come downtown.’”