Salem Candidate Profile: Alice Merkl For City Council

SALEM, MA — Salem will have several contested races in this fall's election, including a 11-way race for four at-large seats on City Council. The preliminary election on Sept. 17 will thin the field of at-large city councilor candidates to eight and the field of school committee candidates to six. Salem Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Alice Merkl, 56, is running for election to City Council as an at-large candidate. Merkl is a music teacher who has a 27-year-old daughter and is married to Barry White. This is her first run for elected office.

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

Previously on Patch: Salem 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.

Our most pressing issue is people struggling to put or keep a roof over their heads. I am committed to working on real, achievable housing solutions for our community members, and will prioritize common sense, thoughtful development that preserves the beauty and historical character of Salem.

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

I have prioritized talking with our community members and have not had a conversation with every other candidate, so I can't speak to their platforms. What I can say is my focus is on preserving our past, meeting the needs of our community members in the present, and planning responsibly for our future. This will take hard work, forward thinking, and a team effort; which we do really well here in Salem!

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

What we need is a working, functioning City Council that gets the job done. Too often issues/ordinances get held up in the City Council for very long lengths of time. This results in empty buildings that sit for years in decay, Traffic and Parking Commission ideas taking months to initiate, and many other hurdles to keeping our city vibrant and thriving. As a City Councilor, I will be committed to learning the facts, listening to our community members and related city committees and agencies, and will make the decisions that need to be made to get the job done.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Infrastructure and Sustainability - improve the quality and integrity of our streets, sidewalks, public spaces, and coastal areas; and prioritize initiatives that protect our environment and address coastal resiliency.

Economic Development - continue to build a strong economy, support our local businesses, and pursue grants and other sources of funds to lessen our reliance on taxpayers.
Health/quality of Life - work to increase services tailored to under-served communities such as veterans, immigrants, seniors, and our LGBTQ community members.

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

My diverse background of experience, both personally and professionally, enables me to be a strong advocate for our residents. I had a successful career in business in NYC for several years, and as a young mother facing new challenges I was able to start and run my own successful business for ten years. I have the ability to think "out of the box" and come up with new, innovative ideas for problem solving and creating solutions.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

There was a book that was popular years ago, and my dad gave me and my siblings a copy and said we should read it. It was "How to Win Friends & Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. It did have some excellent advice!

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

The most important thing I'd like the voters to know about me is my extensive involvement in community service. I am a regular volunteer with the Salem Pantry, working at our mobile markets on Loring Ave and Congress St. I also volunteer for the "backpack" program in our schools, the Community Life Center, the Historic Salem Christmas House Tours, city clean up days, and other city activities and events. Outside of Salem I volunteer for Common Cause, advocate for women's issues, workers' rights/wages, our LGBTQ community and our immigrant community members. I have been endorsed by the MA Women's Political Caucus PAC and the Bay State Stonewall Democrats. I will continue to advocate for our community members here in Salem, and hope to earn your vote on September 17th!

Previously Published Salem Candidate Profiles:

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

City Council, At Large

Domingo J. Dominguez *