Salem Mayoral Candidate Q&A: Kim Driscoll

SALEM, MA – When you vote in the next local election, know your candidates. Patch is putting together these Q&As for those running to be Salem's next mayor.

Name, as it will appear on the ballot: Kimberley Driscoll

Age: 50

Hometown: Salem

Party affiliation: Democrat

Education: BA-Salem State/JD-Mass School of Law

Work history: Mayor of Salem/Chair of Salem School Committee; Prior to that served as Deputy City Manager and Chief Legal Counsel for the City of Chelsea; Prior to that worked as Community Development Director in Beverly and Assistant Planner in Salem

Volunteer history: Prior member of Salem Planning Board and serve on several state board and commissions (Mass Municipal Association, Board of Directors; Mass Workforce Investment Board; State Seaport Advisory Council; NS Alliance for Econ Dev; NS Mayors and Managers)

Have you run before? If so, when?: Salem City Council, 2000-2003

Why did you decide to run?: I am running for re-election because I care deeply about the City. Salem is my adopted hometown and I have tremendous pride in our community. As a public school parent of three teenagers, I want to continue working on improvements in our schools, in the way we deliver city services and on projects that will position Salem for continued success, in particular our waterfront development. I am passionate about Salem’s future, excited to keep working as your Mayor and hope you'll give me the privilege of working with, for and alongside you for another term.

What do you hope to accomplish as mayor?: As we plan and prepare for the City's 400th anniversary in 2026, we will need to continue the important work of advancing our public schools, addressing our aging infrastructure and tending to important housing and transportation needs. We are on a positive trajectory, but more will be required to position Salem for continued success.

In particular, our opportunities to transform our waterfront harken back to Salem's Great Age of Sail era. The development of Salem Wharf and the rebirth of the power plant site will open up large expanses of waterfront land. It is critical that we get this next phase of activity right by thoughtfully planning for the reuse of the 45 acres along the waterfront, which sits adjacent to both the new power plant and within a historic neighborhood.

We hope to complete construction of a new, long awaited, state of the art community life center for Salem seniors and implement our age friendly plan, Salem For All Ages, aimed at providing assistance to our growing population of age 60+ residents.

Finally, our efforts to professionalize city government and improve operational efficiencies must continue, given the uncertainty of state and federal funding.

What should constituents know about you?: I’m the Mother of three teenagers who bring me a great deal of joy - along with grey hair! I have recently taken up Pickle Ball and love to play whenever I can. I feel fortunate every morning to get up and go to work at Salem City Hall. The hours are long. The 'to do' list is endless. The work can be complicated. But, if you love where you live, there is no better job in the world!

Image via Kim Driscoll