Salem Candidate Profile: Elaine Milo 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.

Elaine Milo, 63, is an incumbent running for reelection to an at-large seat on Salem City Council. A preliminary election on Sept. 17 will thin the field of 11 at-large city councilor candidates to eight, who will move on to compete for the four seats up for reelection in the general election on Nov. 5. Milo is the associate director of grants at Salem State University. She and her husband Frank have a grown daughter.

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.

There are two equally pressing issues in Salem. The first is Salem schools. Schools are the foundation of the community. The second equally pressing issue is that of the need for more businesses and commercial economic development to supplement the tax base.

This may not be an issue that gets attention on a daily basis, but our city depends on this to supplement our residential rates. We need to promote sensible economic development to increase the commercial tax base. Granting Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreements is one way to achieve this goal. I supported granting Jacqueline's Cookies a TIF that helped them to increase the footprint of their building by 50% and increase their workforce by the same. This created 50 additional jobs in Salem while expanding the commercial tax base. A&J Bakery received a TIF when they opened a second store on Boston Street.

These are excellent examples of ways in which we can encourage businesses to expand their contribution to the tax base with minimum impact on our infrastructure and city services. I will continue to advocate for these types of projects within the city, do my best to support sensible economic development and support TIF agreements that benefit the city.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I bring a common sense, no nonsense approach to city government. My focus includes stabilizing taxes through sensible economic growth and wise budget management, ensuring that seniors and veterans have the dependable services they need, repairing and maintaining safe streets, parks and public works and support for improving our schools at every level.

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

I always say that helping people is what this job is all about. The order that I brought in to expand the city tax work off program for eligible seniors enabled seniors to earn more money through volunteer work that was then credited to their tax bill. Additionally, working with the Council on Aging to facilitate the passing of the first Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance that ensured seniors would have a path to stay in their homes and age in place was a significant accomplishment.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

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

I would like people to know that if I have the honor of being re-elected to the council I will continue to serve with the same passion and care that I have in the past. One of my favorite quotes is from Vice-President Hubert Humphrey and I think it describes the kind of community I aspire to "It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped."

Previously Published Salem Candidate Profiles:

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

City Council, At Large

Jeff Cohen

Domingo J. Dominguez *

Ty Hapworth

George McCabe

Alice Merkl

Conrad J. Prosniewski

Arthur Sargent *

Maribel Steadman

City Council, Ward 3

Patti Morsillo

City Council, Ward 4

Timothy Flynn *

City Council, Ward 6

Megan Riccardi

School Committee

Beth Anne Cornell

Jim Fleming *

Donna Fritz

Kristin Pangallo