Malden Candidate Profile: Stephen Winslow For City Council

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

Here, we learn more about Stephen Winslow, who is running for reelection as the Ward 6 councillor on the Malden City Council.

Winslow is a retired project manager and community planner who previously served as a councillor at large on the City Council and as a member of the School Committee.

Winslow will face Jerry Leone in November's election

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Stephen Winslow 溫 師 帆

How old will you be as of Election Day?

63

Campaign website

https://winslowformalden.com

What city or town do you live in?

Malden

What office are you seeking?

City councillor, Ward 6

District

Ward 6

Party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Juris Doctorate (Law). University of CA Davis; BS Chemical Engineering UC Berkeley

What is your occupation?

Project manager, community planner, 20 years (retired)

Family

Married (Spouse - Helen). Two daughters and three granddaughters ages 12 - 31

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

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

Yes, current Malden Ward 6 councillor; Malden council at large 2017-2021; Malden Ward 6 School Committee member 2007 -2013

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking re-election to continue working with residents to create and implement a community vision for Maplewood Square to ensure it remains the vital heart of our neighborhood as it has for the past 130 years.

I will continue to champion street safety improvements so that all Maldonians can move safely and efficiently through Maplewood and beyond whether by car, bus, on foot or bike. In that vein, I have and will continue to advocate that funds be spent in Ward 6 for traffic signal improvements and safer streets.

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

The preservation of Maplewood Square as the vital heart of our neighborhood. With the Future of Maplewood Committee, I have been leading the creation of a Community Vision and action plan to attract more residents to Maplewood Square through events such as the Mayplewoodfest, beautification projects like the addition of banners, trees, green space and benches and other efforts to make the Square more attractive and to support local businesses.

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

My success in working with Maldonians to "Achieve More Together."

Before ever serving in office, my wife and I formed "Bike to the Sea" to work to create the popular "Northern Strand Trail" that runs through Malden and beyond. We rolled up our sleeves, cleaned up areas that had been neglected, and worked with other Maldonians and political leaders to advocate for and build the trail.

That record of community engagement and achievement continues. I worked to secure over $1.8 million in funding to improve the playground, courts, field and dog park at Trafton Park.

I have worked with residents to plan and run popular Ward 6 events such as our 4th of July Celebration, Maplewood Fest and Maplewood Halloween.

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

Many of the calls and messages I receive from Ward 6 constituents regard motorists speeding, ignoring crosswalks, stop signs and other unsafe behavior. Many have had vehicles damaged or have had close calls. Ward councillors must both work on urgent actions for specific concerns raised by residents and pursue long-term plans to make streets safe and efficient for all. I have successfully advocated for short-term actions like speed warning signs, more visible crossings and targeted enforcement while also working with City staff and residents on plans and funding needed for long-term solutions such as better traffic signals, more prominent crossings and safer road layouts.

Malden can secure tens of millions in funds for our major roads like Broadway and Eastern Avenue with a sustained effort to plan and seek funds for our major roadways. I reject the slogans such as "No Bus, No Bike Lanes". That mindset seeks to fix our streets to the outdated, unsafe layouts and technology of the 1950's and 1970's rather than creating streets that help meet the needs of the 21st Century.

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

My accomplishments include:

1. The successful effort to create the popular Northern Strand Trail

2. Securing over $1.8 million in funds to improve Trafton Park

3. Guiding city-wide multi-million dollar efforts to clean and repair storm drains and replace lead pipes. That work continues with the effort to assess the capacity of storm drains in Ward 6 and beyond to handle the increased rainfall that results from climate change.

4. Planning multiple Ward 6 events including 4th of July and Maplewood Fest

5. Securing protective gear for Malden Housing staff to keep Malden seniors safe during the earliest days of COVID

6. Working with the police and community members to develop a sensible update to Malden's "Use of Force" rules

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Former Everett City Councillor Rose LeCours, the first political champion for our bike trail, advised me early on that success happens when you "give to get," She explained that the people who give of themselves to better their community build goodwill that helps others be more receptive for what they ask for. With her advice Bike to the Sea members spent as much if not more time doing community clean-ups, bike fairs and family rides than repetitively asking for the trail.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am dedicated to working to break through language and cultural barriers to increase the participation of more Maldonians in our civic life. One example that shows the benefits of that work is my collaboration with a Malden High Asian youth group on how to make bus service better in Malden. We learned through that work that bus service to Asian markets on Broadway and Commercial Streets needs improvement. That information helped preserve service to one Asian market and will be used to improve the bus stop at another.