Salem Candidate Profile: Maribel Steadman 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.

Maribel "Belle" Steadman, 59, is running for election to City Council as an at-large candidate. Steadman has been a clinical laboratory scientist at Salem Hospital for 30 years. Originally from the Phillipines, she became a U.S. citizen in 2001. Her husband Mark is a police officer, and the couple has a son, Kerry.

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.

The single most pressing issue facing our city, for me, is the quality of life, which encompasses the challenges we are facing regarding our public schools, the increasing property tax, homelessness, home affordability, drug addiction and poor roads and traffic maintenance. If elected, I intend to research the root causes of each issues and try to help resolve them using available resources, grants, programs and teamwork with the other elected officials.

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

We have a great, hardworking qualified candidates. My differences from them is that I am an immigrant from the Philippines, a woman of color, a proof that no matter what our cultural differences are, our race, our religious beliefs, we can all make a difference in our community. My life experiences from a third world country and my chosen profession of saving lives made me more passionate to be of service to people, more so to the community that embrace me as their own when I arrived here 30 years ago. I intend to help move our city forward while helping with the effort to preserve our beautiful history, historical buildings and landmarks.

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

The city council is made of hardworking men and women. Most of them have been serving so many years and yet, we still have the same issues as we have year after year. If elected, I will work cohesively and proactively with the other councilors, intending to educate myself of the issues at hand, research the root causes of these issues, listen and learn from the residents, and then come up with effective solutions that are agreeable to all.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I intend to be a strong voice and advocate for all residents investing my time and effort to ensure proper use of our tax money towards a high quality of public education. I also intend to fight for affordable housing making application process easier for our seniors, our veterans and our low-income families. I will empower and collaborate with programs aimed to combat drug addiction. I will also advocate for a safer and reliable traffic system with emphasis on well-maintained roads, signs and sidewalks. I am also committed to learning about the different challenges and issues that all the wards face, like coastal and seawall erosion, traffic congestion, etc. And getting involved in resolving these issues.

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

In my 38 years as a clinical Laboratory Scientist, collaboration has a special meaning for me. My everyday routine at work allows me to collaborate with other health professionals to solve health issues. Helping doctors research for the right tests for their patients and troubleshoot challenges that arises along the way, I have become a strong leader who instills teamwork, positive attitude, acceptance of cultural differences, and camaraderie not only with peers in the laboratory but in the entire hospital setting. I have also served as one of the Salem Garden Club president leading a 100+ membership, going over budgets and plans for community service. I am also currently serving as the corresponding secretary of the Salem Willows neighborhood Association responsible for proper communication between the leadership and the members. If elected I will use these experiences to be a strong advocate of the Salem residents at city hall.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

My dad trained a lot of Marines before they were sent to combat in the South of the Philippines and his advice is what I follow almost daily. “Advocate for others, not because you want something in return, but because it makes you a better person.”

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

I would like the Salem residents to know that my passion to help by serving the Salem residents comes with a leadership and teamwork skills acquired thru the years of teaching medical students, collaborating with medical professionals, attending leadership seminars and running an effective department. I would also like to mention that I come from a law enforcement family and I am married to a police officer so I strongly back the blue, the firefighters and all other first responders. I have utmost respect for them and ever thankful for their service. I am thankful for their gift of civility to our society and our city.

Previously Published Salem Candidate Profiles:

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

City Council, At Large

Domingo J. Dominguez *

Alice Merkl