Melrose Candidate Profile: Maria Berardi For City Council

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

Here, we learn more about Maria Berardi, who is running for one of the four councilor-at-large seats on the Melrose City Council.

Berardi is a newcomer to politics who works as a hairstylist. She calls herself "a person of action" who will be the voice for residents who have felt unheard or dismissed when trying to voice concerns to public offices.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Maria Berardi

How old will you be as of Election Day?

I am 56 years old.

What city or town do you live in?

Melrose

What office are you seeking?

City Council at Large

Please give us your party affiliation

Independent

Education

I am a graduate of Melrose High School Class of 1985. I have a legal assistant degree from Katherine Gibbs. I graduated from Melrose Beauty Academy as a cosmetologist.

Occupation

Hairstylist

Family

I have one daughter. She is also a graduate of Melrose High School. She attended Bunker Hill Community College for a couple of years. At the moment she is in the process of taking Real Estate classes and soon taking the Real Estate Exam. She has blossomed into an intelligent and career-oriented young woman. I couldn't be prouder.

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?

I grew up, and still live in Melrose. I have met many residents of all ages, lifestyles, cultures, and diversities. I have spoken to many residents of Melrose regarding, not only, the wonderful things Melrose has to offer; but, also what is lacking and failing in Melrose.

Melrose has a fair amount of residents who have tried to voice their concerns to public offices and felt unheard or dismissed. I will be their voice. Melrose's structural problems are getting worse by the day. This is a serious matter that needs to be addressed now and first. We have four emergency responder buildings that are outdated and unsafe. We are failing our first responders and risk their well-being.

Our streets, sidewalks, and parking lots are disgraceful. This needs to be addressed. This is not only an injury or worse waiting to happen to any resident, but also makes traveling to desired destinations for the elderly and physically impaired three times the challenge.

Melrose must prioritize the structural problems immediately. If the foundations of our houses were falling down we would not plant flowers and have a party. Let's make our home, Melrose, a safe and enjoyable city for the whole community.

Melrose has had a rodent infestation for more than several years. Complaints from residents and businesses have been ignored and avoided. Rodents carry diseases and plagues. If something is not done now we will have more rodents than residents in no time.

Melrose has spent millions of dollars on projects that were not urgent. When a safety issue is voiced to the City of Melrose, the response is always we do not have the funding. We cannot continue to add several new taxes onto the shoulders of residents and small businesses of Melrose and expect the taxes not to financially devastate whole families and small businesses.

Melrose has many residents that have lived in Melrose for decades and sometimes generations. Houses are paid in full but the taxes are financially suffocating some of the residents. Melrose has always been for upper, lower and middle-class families. Adding too many taxes to our already high tax rates will force many families out of their homes. Small businesses will be forced to relocate or close their doors forever and jobs could be lost. The city's financial budget needs to be examined and certain unnecessary projects might need to be put on the back burner for a bit.

Melrose has wonderful staff members at the public schools. Still, our schools are failing students in many ways. Melrose was listed 96th in the top 100 schools in Massachusetts. I know we can do better. Our students of today are our future tomorrow.

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

Many residents feel their voices are not heard by our city's officials. I intend to be their voice. I intend to represent the residents and small businesses of Melrose. Not the voice of City Hall. I want to help the people of Melrose.

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

I am not a person of many words. I am a person of action. I am not the person who will say "yes" because the rest of the crowd wants me to agree. I will stand up for what is right whether I stand with a group or alone.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I will listen to the people and try to do what is good for Melrose as a whole.

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

I think I already stated what I stand for.

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

I am a determined individual. I might get knocked down from time to time. But I always get back up.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Stand up for what is right whether you stand with people or you stand alone. Be honest.

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

If you believe in me, please spread my name and message to your neighbors. I will not ask political parties for sponsorship. I am neither party. I stand for what is right, not a political party. I cannot consciously ask for donations for signs, etc. from residents. Times are tough for many people. We are all just trying to survive. And I hope we all win.