Peabody Candidate Profile: Keith Doucette 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.

First up is Keith Doucette, who is running for Ward 6 City Councilor. Doucette, 49, and his wife have two daughters. This is his first run for elected office.

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.

Increased Taxes on our Senior Citizens. I will fight to make the process of Exemptions easier for our seniors to file and to maintain them from year to year. I will work to cut spending to try and keep the increases as low as possiable from year to year or to eliminate an increase all together.

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

I think we need to engage the Citizens into the process of coming up with solutions to fix some of our common problems. We should be communicating with the public any way we can to deliver information and we should use whatever source of media to conduct that communication.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community?

I am concerned with different things than my opponent and I am concerned with how those things are presented or not presented to the residents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I am concerned with the Birch Hill Estates Development and the lack of information being shared with the neighbors. I am concerned with the lack of information being given on the on goings at Aggregate Industries this included the total lack of informing the residents of blasting time and day changes. Sidewalk and Pothole repair is a problem all over the city, I find it hard to believe that there is not a better program to get sidewalks repaired in a timely manner without making folks call repeatedly over decades!

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

I have built strong teams while working for almost 30 years in the Security Industry. I include my teams in the day to day operations of the programs I run. I will take that knowledge into this job and include the Residents into the process. I will build teams of residents from the Ward and hold monthly meetings with them to keep a close eye on all areas of the Ward.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Best Election Advice I ever received was Lawn Signs don't vote, talk with the people. Make sure your thoughts, ideas and concerns are heard and visible. This not advice but it is one of my favorite Quotes. “To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.” ― Tia Walker.

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

I plan to open the processes of the Council up to allow my constituents a chance to see how things work and why things sometimes get voted a certain way. Information is key to keeping our elected officials accountable for what they do and how they vote. The residents of Ward 6 might not always agree with something I vote for or against but they along with the rest of the city will always know why I voted a certain way.