10 Questions For Feanna Jattan-Singh, 2023 Worcester Council Candidate

WORCESTER, MA — For the first time in years, every single city council election in Worcester this year is competitive, meaning every incumbent (or multiple incumbents in the case of the at-large race) is facing a challenger in 2023.

Voters in Worcester will go to the polls Nov. 7 to elect the next slate of councilors for the coming two-year term. To help voters make their decisions, Worcester Patch sent 10 questions to each candidate running for city council this year, including both incumbents and challengers. We'll publish them ahead of Election Day as candidates return them.

Feanna Jattan-Singh is running her first ever race for the District 3 council seat against George Russell. Like Russell, Jattan-Singh is a Realtor. Here's how she answered the questionnaire:

What is the main job of a city councilor in Worcester?

The paramount focus of the City Council must be ensuring the safety and welfare of every resident. This necessitates substantial improvements in our city's infrastructure, including enhanced sidewalks, well-marked crosswalks, and properly maintained roads. Additionally, urgent attention should be directed towards providing housing for the homeless population. We must strive for universal accessibility, accommodating individuals using wheelchairs, bikes, and various modes of transportation. Furthermore, vital mental health services should be readily available, with counselors accessible at public spaces like libraries and police stations.

The council in 2022 began a national search for a new city manager, but then stopped to hire Eric Batista. What are your thoughts on the city manager hiring process both recently and in general?

Regarding the city manager hiring process, I believe transparency and public input are essential. A comprehensive national search allows for a diverse pool of candidates, ensuring the best fit for Worcester. The abrupt shift in the hiring process raises concerns about transparency. Moving forward, it's crucial to maintain an open, fair, and inclusive process, ensuring residents have a voice in this significant decision.

If you could pick three goals for Batista to work toward in the coming council term, what would they be?

Three key goals for Batista should include enhancing community engagement, continue infrastructure development and completion, addressing the rising homelessness crisis through comprehensive support services and affordable housing initiatives.

This summer, Batista told councilors he was declining to act on an order they voted affirmatively on (crisis pregnancy centers). Do you think that’s an appropriate response, why or why not?

Regarding Batista's response to the crisis pregnancy centers order, I believe the city manager should act in accordance with council decisions, respecting the democratic process. Communication and collaboration between the executive and legislative branches are essential for effective governance.

Some city council subcommittees meet infrequently, sometimes only a few times a year. Do you think subcommittees should have a fixed schedule, so they have a minimum number of meetings per year?

Yes, subcommittees should have a fixed schedule to ensure regularity and consistency. Predictable meetings enhance transparency and allow for more thorough discussions and decisions on critical issues.

Serious allegations about the conduct of the former police chief were recently made public in news reports. Do you think councilors should have an oversight role when serious allegations are made against city employees?

Yes, councilors should have an oversight role when serious allegations are made against city employees. Oversight ensures accountability and transparency in handling such matters, fostering public trust in the city's administration.

Homelessness is on the rise in Worcester. The city has pursued a policy of sweeping camps, and we’re heading into the cold weather season with a shortage of temporary shelter beds. What should Worcester do about this issue in the short and long term?

Addressing homelessness requires a multi-faceted approach. In the short term, Worcester should expand temporary shelter capacity, collaborate with nonprofit organizations, and offer supportive services to those experiencing homelessness. In the long term, focus on affordable housing initiatives, mental health services, and job training programs can help tackle the root causes of homelessness.

Councilors can use personal privilege to hold items before a meeting, delaying action for a week or longer. Do you think councilors should disclose why they’re holding items before doing so, why or why not?

Yes, councilors should disclose reasons for holding items before a meeting. Transparent communication with constituents is fundamental to accountability and ensures that the decision-making process is clear and accessible to the public.

There are many large, blighted parcels around Worcester, with the former Big D supermarket perhaps the most recognizable. Would you support a new tax on blighted parcels to ensure property owners don’t let them sit for long periods?

I support a new fine but not a tax, on blighted parcels to prevent property owners from letting them sit vacant for extended periods. This fine can incentivize property owners to revitalize or sell these properties, leading to neighborhood improvement and economic growth.

What’s one thing you think you want to achieve as a city councilor if elected?

If elected, one of my primary goals would be to enhance public safety by strengthening community-police relations, implementing effective crime prevention programs, and investing in initiatives that create safer neighborhoods for all residents.

More profiles in this series:

• Worcester 2023 Council Candidate Etel Haxhiaj: 10 Questions
• Worcester 2023 City Council Incumbent George Russell: 10 Questions
• Worcester 2023 Council Candidate Johanna Hampton-Dance: 10 Questions