Peabody Candidate Profile: Anne Manning-Martin For City Council

PEABODY, MA — Peabody will have several contested races in this fall's election, including a seven-way race for five at-large seats on City Council and contested races for city council seats in four of the city's six wards. Peabody Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Anne Manning-Martin, 53, is an incumbent running for one of five at-large city council seats up for re-election. Manning-Martin has been on City Council since 2008 and, before that, was on the Peabody School Committee for eight years. Manning-Martin is a Deputy Superintendent at the Department of Correction and her brother John Manning is a Captain in the Peabody Fire Department.

Are you running for office in Peabody? Contact Dave Copeland at dave.copeland@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Peabody Patch.

Previously on Patch: Peabody Election 2019: Here's Who's Running

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

Maintaining Quality of Life for our residents is the single most pressing issue facing our community. Peabody has seen many changes in the last several years. While change can often be difficult yet necessary to make needed improvements, some changes have come at the cost of quality of life issues for many residents. Construction, development and traffic congestion have taken hold of the city at the expense of the day to day lives of many residents. Moving forward

The City of Peabody must articulate the vision behind all future projects while listening to those directly affected; the residents and taxpayers of Peabody. I will continue to listen to my constituents concerns and fight for them and their quality of life.

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

I am the most senior Councilor with a combined 20 years of consecutive service to include six terms on the City Council and two terms on the School Committee. With the turnover the City Council has experienced in the last few years, to include the upcoming retirement of our long term City Clerk Tim Spanos, I believe my institutional knowledge is crucial in guiding the future council to make sound decisions and avoid the pitfalls associated with inexperience. I am an Independent voice on the council, am not afraid to ask questions or take a stand and will continue to keep an eye on the spending of your hard-earned tax dollars.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I have a strong record of being an informed voice of reason on the council. I am staunchly independent and always do what I think is right and in the best interest of those I represent; the taxpayers and citizens of Peabody. I scrutinize all expenditures throughout the year in effort to keep our taxes down and Peabody affordable.

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

For the past 12 years I have put in my full effort to be informed and well prepared for all issues coming before the city council. I have been a strong advocate for open and transparent government in all matters involving the peoples’ business. I have championed neighborhood issues and fought for quality of life issues throughout the city.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Whatever you are, be a good one.

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

I understand who I work for and represent in my role as an elected official. I work for the citizens and taxpayers of Peabody; I am their voice on the council. As a fifth generation Peabodyite, it has been an honor to serve and I humbly ask the voters of Peabody for one of their five votes for Councilor-at-Large.

Previously Published Peabody Candidate Profiles:

Candidates for reelection are marked with an asterisk (*).

City Council, At-Large

John DeRosa

City Council, Ward One

Craig Welton

City Council, Ward Six

Keith Doucette

PMLP Commission

Charles Bonfanti