Melissa Downes Runs For Mayor: Waltham Elections Q&A

This is fifth in a series I will publish on Waltham Patch, so we can better know our candidates and what they stand for. These interviews and observations do not reflect my personal political views. This series is meant to introduce candidates to constituents in an easy-going, positive way. I will not ask questions comparing candidates, nor will I provide my personal political opinions. My series will include individual articles with a candidate's interview. Then, when each interview has been published, I will post an article containing all the interviews.

If you are a Waltham political candidate and would like to request an interview, please feel welcome to contact me. The Patch reporter is also running a separate series.

I recently met up with candidate for mayor, Melissa Downes. Together we attended the Waltham Cultural Council pot-luck picnic in the Lincoln Studios. She expressed her dedication to Waltham's ecological health and the importance of art and science activities for children. The Waltham Cultural Culture's event poignantly united all facets of Waltham with their care for the arts, as all three mayoral candidates took part. How lucky we are to live in this city!

I had the opportunity to interview Melissa Downes, and she shared her vision of her mayoral goals.

JL: Where are you from? How long have you lived in Waltham?

MD: I am born and raised in Massachusetts and moved to Waltham 20 years ago. My grandmother told me of how she used to come to Waltham Supermarket once a week because the butchers’ quality was worth the trip. After I bought a home, I began looking for ways to give back to Waltham. I have done clean ups with Waltham Land Trust, gas leaks tagging with Mothers Out Front and even followed the conversation committee. I contributed for eight years to the Energy Action Committee that did the work necessary for the solar PV systems on the school buildings and the entrance criteria for Green Community designation.

JL:What is one of your favorite Waltham memories?

MD: One birthday I asked a group of friends to join me at my house and then go to Moody Street for dinner. Some of my friends came in walking shoes and others did not. One friend in heels said, “Oh it’s your Birthday we can drive,” and we did. We had dinner by the dam end of Moody and then we walked up to Lizzy’s for ice cream before walking back to the commons to get into the car. As we got in a different friend, who was wearing sneakers, said “Ah, Melissa always gets her steps in." The ability to walk to Moody Street for some kayaking and ice cream or dinner and a movie is one of the reasons, I love this city.

JL: Do you consider yourself a politician?

MD: I understand by seeking an elected position that some people will view me as a politician. I have already been working for the benefit of our community in the area of energy policy. Running for Mayor is an opportunity to work as a public servant, in the best meaning of that tradition. I am forward thinking which will allow residents who are concerned about quality of life issues to join in a conversation about what is next. To create our shared vision for the future and how to create that reality with an integrated plan. We need a way forward for city planning to align with our existing transportation and education infrastructure in conjunction with open space balanced against development.

JL: When and why did you consider running for Mayor?

MD: Starting in March of this year, I took the time and consideration required for such a series decision. I have Mayor McCarthy to thank for her accidental inspiration for this journey when she said “only she could lead the city”. As a lifelong learner and accredited project manager in financial services innovation is in my DNA. I have spent 8 years doing volunteer, grass roots work and implemented changes that serve Waltham residents interests every day. While I could have backed an existing politician, I felt they lack my passion for using Complete Streets and Green Community Designation as tools for transformation. These two programs will not only to address some chronic issues – traffic & drafty old city buildings – but can help build our municipal staff’s skills that areneeded to plan Waltham’s future wonderful – such as tapping grant funds, greater public engagement and stronger collaboration within the city.

JL: Do you have a particular leadership style?

MD: I have worked as a professional consultant for over 10 years implementing new services, business improvements and software solutions. This means I excel at parachuting into an organization, forming new teams and meeting critical goals. My style is consistent: I start with active listening skills, validating goals and then building consensus to move forward. I have found that listening helps with context to understand how the problem came to be and what was tried but hadn’t worked. This also means staff is more likely to share innovative ideas because my time spent listening builds trust. As a leader, I own the final decisions and services that I will provide as Mayor. I will support department heads to manage their daily operations, coordinate across departments on projects, and facilitate discussions with city council to build consensus on approaching long term goals.

JL: Is there a main message in your campaign that you would like voters to know?

MD: There is a saying that you cannot make change using the same thinking that got you into the current situation. My critique of city government is that it is too slow and hodge- podge which costs us lost options. I am forward thinking with a track record of creating comprehensive solutions and managing complicated and intertwined problems. A laundry list of problems or a score board on which elected official did what is off putting. What would be inspiring, is a shared vision of Waltham’s next chapter. Something to sink our teeth into and motivate us when we need to power through the restrictions in planning for a city largely built before cars and zoning laws. We need to engage public– private partnerships and public participation with an excitement for our shared future of wonderful possibilities.

JL: How important are local museums such as The Telephone Museum on Moody Street and The Waltham Museum on Lexington Street to our culture?

MD: I was taught that it’s hard to know where you are going, if you don’t know where you have been. These groups help connect us to the city’s history and gives us an appreciation of how the city and the life of its residents have evolved over time. I think it helps us in times of trouble to be reminded that past generations rose to the challenge of adversity and made difficult decisions for the benefit of the next generation. It also provides context to understand how the city’s past influences our reality today and will influence planning for tomorrow.

JL: What would you do to encourage Science Technology Engineering Art and Math (STEAM) in Waltham’s youth?

JL: This is a great example of the need of partnerships to expand the reach of city government. We need a strong STEAM program because technology is creeping into the basic skills needed for our daily live as well as providing good jobs. Waltham Education & Beyond Foundation (WEBF) has some fabulous programs including robotics. I would continue to support and coordinate with WEBF. We should create projects at the high school to tie the STEAM and vocational students together. We also have 2 universities in the city and MIT is 10 miles away. I am sure we could set up collaborations for the college students to mentor high school kids and facilitate some regional competitions.

JL: Have you learned anything about Waltham during your campaign?

MD: In short, I have learned a lot. To serve the community, I need to know what is important to you and so I have been knocking on doors and reaching out at public events. Some issues were known to me going in – traffic, new HS, and a long leaking roof of the building for the police station. Other issues, I was less aware of such as the extent of rats, worsening safety for the homeless and single-family homes in neighborhoods used for student housing. Mostly, I am surprised by the broad range of opinions on any single topic – good or bad; level of concern and even expectations of the city.