Salem Candidate Profile: Jeff Cohen 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.

Jeff Cohen, 63, is running for 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. Cohen is a business development manager who works in the solar industry.

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.

Housing. People who work in Salem should be able to live here and, unfortunately, are already being priced out of the City. To mitigate gentrification, I will propose stronger condo regulations. To increase our diminishing rental stock, I support much less limited Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations. To make sure we have the right balance of housing for all incomes, I support vigorous inclusionary zoning that is tiered (multiple percentages of AMI) and on site. Too many tenants are being asked to leave their home so can rent at higher price or convert to condos without knowing their rights, so will propose a series of tenant rights.

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

There are some very nice people running for Council. However, we face some serious crisis (housing, environment) and need leaders who will enact bold change. I don't just talk, I do. Several candidates for Council had not been to a Council meeting prior to announcing and some have not been even once this year. I am the only person in Salem to be a chair of 2 boards (No Place for Hate and Sustainability, Energy & Resiliency Committee) and I worked as the City's recycling coordinator and solar coach, so know how to get things done.

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

The incumbent At-Large Councillors have been resistant to the change we need in Salem and do not represent the majority of residents of our City. Although knowing timing is crucial on a major housing issue and having their major concerns met, they still have delayed what would have been an important development for affordable housing. Another example, is how infrequently the non-OLLA and A&F subcommittees meet. For instance, Public Health, Safety and the Environment has met once this year and once last (Chaired both years by the same At-Large Councillor) even though issues regarding Fire/Police, opiods and the climate crisis would be considered there. I will propose that all subcommittees meet each month, be on SATV and allow residents to express concerns outside the agenda. None of the incumbent At-Large and too many others running do not take the climate crisis as seriously as needed.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I am currently Co-Chair of Salem's No Place for Hate Committee and wrote the original Sanctuary ordinance and helped pass the non-discrimination ordinance (2014). I am currently Vice-Chair of Salem's Sustainability, Energy & Resiliency Committee (formerly Renewable Energy Task Force) and was instrumental in Salem being the 1st MA community to pass 100% clean energy resolution (2016), carbon pricing resolution (2018) and green new deal (2019). As Salem's recycling coordinator, helped significantly increase both the recycling ratio & percentage, implement the compost and Waste Management programs. As Solarize Salem's Solar Coach helped hundreds in Salem go solar. Am on the Leadership Council for Salem for All Ages and Board member of Project Out. In 2016 was solar expert for NS Association of Realtors. Past member Salem Rotary and BNI Enterprise.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Treat others not as you'd like to be treated, but as they do.

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

I speak up and stand up for those that need it most and also build consensus by finding common ground to find the best solutions for all Salem's residents. Proud of my problem solving and team building, I listen, learn and lead.

Previously Published Salem Candidate Profiles:

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

City Council, At Large

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