Malden Candidate Profile: Ari Taylor For City Council

MALDEN, MA — With the Malden Municipal Election scheduled for Nov. 7, Patch is profiling the candidates.

Here, we learn more about Ari Taylor, who is running against Julie Turner to represent Ward 5 on the Malden City Council.

Taylor is a realtor who has managed campaigns for several local and state candidates and has served on various local boards.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Ari Taylor

How old will you be as of Election Day?

44

Does your campaign have a website?

https://AriforMalden.com

What city or town do you live in?

Malden

What office are you seeking?

Ward 5 City Council

Education

Certificate in Mediation, the Center for Negotiation & Mediation Training, 2023. Real Estate License, 2015-present. Graduate of Nazareth Academy in Wakefield.

Occupation

Realtor (2015-present). Plus, over 20 years in management in various business settings from small businesses and retail to larger office settings, with a focus on employee development, budget, sales and customer support.

Political and nonprofit work:

• Campaign management for several local and state candidates
• Over five years serving on various boards, including president of Urban Media Arts (Malden's Cable Access), treasurer of Malden Arts, and first vice president of the Zonta Club of Malden

Family

My husband Jeff and I are raising our three daughters: Emily, Charlotte and Phoebe. We also have two cats: Frankenstein and Elvira and our dog Walter.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Why are you seeking this office?

As a third-generation Maldonian, I am running for office to give back to a city that has given my family so much and to improve the lives of my neighbors.

I believe we need a councilor who listens well, responds to residents' concerns and builds a strong sense of community.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___ and this is what I intend to do about it.

Traffic and road safety is the biggest issue I have heard while talking to residents. Over the summer, I met with Public Safety and other department heads to open the lines of communication so I am able to hit the ground running if elected. My first step would be to conduct a comprehensive review of roadway and pedestrian safety to be able to address the concerns thoroughly and systematically.

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

Unlike my opponent, I bring significant political experiences and skills to the table. I have served as an elected leader for several Malden community organizations. I have also built strong working relationships with a wide range of political leaders in Malden and our region. I have a record of building coalitions, forging consensus and accomplishing big things for Malden.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

• Invest in our parks and recreation to provide more activities for all ages
• Plant more trees where most needed
• Boost affordable housing and home-ownership options so that seniors and families can all thrive here
• Work to make our community more environmentally sustainable
• Address trash concerns throughout the ward
• Diversify economic development to ensure we continue to provide a full range of city services and programs
• Stand up for our diverse community so that all Maldonians feel safe, heard and treated with dignity.
• Remain accessible and responsive

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

As a member of Malden Arts, I applied for and managed several funding sources including state funding, to bring the ARTLine to Malden.

In the past, I have convened a forum for City Council candidates, bringing together candidates and members of the community to discuss the major issues affecting the city.

I have worked on and initiated several community-building events like the Pride Crosswalks and provided both the community and the volunteers with up-to-date information and follow-up for a successful project.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Democracy depends on those who show up.