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Moving Forward
Ed Cameron
4 Newburyport City Council

4 Newburyport City Council

If you haven't read your Daily News yet, in yesterday's Ward 4 City Council race, I received 514 votes and Councillor Fowler received 438 votes. Daily News article is here with other post election commentary at the blogs of Mary Baker, Tom Salemi, and Bruce Menin.

I want to thank the voters of Ward 4 -- whether they voted for me or not isn't really relevant -- for participating in the process and helping me as a candidate learn about what's important to them. The resounding message for me was that voters are tired of missed opportunities. Those missed opportunities aren't the product of any one elected official, but something we all own. In the next two years, we need progress on municipal finance, on educational quality and value, on the waterfront, and finally we need progress on a Senior Center.

I want to acknowledge Councillor Fowler's service to Newburyport for many years and in many ways. Maybe for the first time in American political history, we have a case of a candidate (me) growing more fond of an 'opponent' (Erford) during a campaign. I especially appreciated meeting many members of his family during the cold, wet signholding on Election Day. And perhaps the highlight (warmlight?) of the day/evening for me was sharing hot apple cider with Erford after 12 hours of mutual wet misery. And thank you Bill Van Etten for running home and bringing warm refreshments to all the signholders!

Now it's time to put out the trash and recycling, clean the car, and rake leaves....and move ahead on the business of the City. I'm looking forward to working with the Mayor, the City Council, and the School Committee on the important issues before us: municipal reform, education, development, and a Senior Center.

Lastly and most importantly, I want to thank my wife Susanne and daughter Anna for their support and encouragement. All the work and effort was really about making Newburyport the best place it can be for them and all the other families and individuals who live here.

Ed Cameron

Please check out my blog for updated information and commentary on current events.

Dear Ward 4 Voter:

Newburyport is at a crossroads in so many ways. The issues before us require strong, pragmatic leadership from our elected officials – we cannot afford passivity in the face of real challenges.

My name is Ed Cameron and I live at 17 Oakland Street with my wife Susanne and our daughter Anna. In April I announced that I am running for Newburyport City Council to represent the people of Ward 4. I am running to give you a choice in November.

As I've knocked on doors in the Ward over the last several months, I've learned about your ideas and suggestions on how local government can help improve your quality of life -- your homes, your streets, your businesses, your parks, your pocketbooks, and your schools.

Susanne, Anna, and Ed Cameron

Press Coverage of the Ward 4 City Council Race

Daily News
Cameron to challenge Fowler for Ward 4 council seat, April 4, 2007

With your input and guidance, I want to focus on areas where local government can make a positive difference:

Development within the neighborhoods of the Ward, on the waterfront, and downtown – I want to preserve what is good about Newburyport while we work together to reinvigorate local businesses and improve quality of life. We need leadership that will ensure that private interests are valued but are not allowed to run rampant over public values.
Education – I want a community that can prepare our children for the future. The City Council, the School Committee, and the Mayor need to demand excellence in our schools and to push for reforms and cost-efficiencies at all times - not just during budget crises.
Municipal Reform including Property Tax Relief –I want a local government that is effective and efficient; our current form of government with a two-year mayoral term is behind the times. Therefore, I will work to create a charter review commission either to implement a professional city manager or four-year mayoral term form of governance.
Seniors - I want to help seniors and people of modest means stay in the community they have called home their entire lives. After years of inaction, seniors deserve a Senior Center. I will lead efforts to increase the senior tax exemption and I will work to educate seniors to take advantage of this benefit.

The people have spoken on these issues and more. Through elections, public meetings, surveys and letters to the editor, Newburyport citizens have repeatedly and emphatically told public officials what they'd like to see happen. I believe citizens are in charge and have the right to expect their elected representatives to translate that input into results.

I believe I have the qualifications, energy and creativity to make a contribution. If given the chance to serve as your Ward 4 Councillor, I'd work diligently to help Newburyport be the best place it can be – not for a special few but for everyone who lives here.

If you have suggestions on how to make Ward 4 and Newburyport a better place to live, please email me at edcameronNBPT@gmail.com, write to me at 17 Oakland St., or call me on my cell phone anytime at 978-518-0786.

I look forward to the conversation and I hope to earn your vote in November.

Sincerely,

Ed Cameron