Framingham Candidate Profile: Margareth Shepard For City Council

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Nov. 5 Framingham City Council election is coming up fast (Oct. 16 is the last day to register to vote), and all but three are competitive, including the District 7 race. Framingham Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Incumbent District 7 Councilor Margareth Shepard is running to keep her seat against challenger William Lynch. Shepard is a small business owner, and previously served as a Town Meeting member.

Here's how she answered our candidate questionnaire:

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Reducing traffic that causes pollution from fuel emissions is the most important issue to increase safety and well-being of our community.

As a seated City Councilor, I have been already advocating to increase traffic control at problematic intersections, such as Warren/Prindiville/Dennison/Shawmut Terrace, where getting a four-way stop sign was a great beginning. However, now we need comprehensive action to address the traffic flow on Warren Street and the safety issues of the Learned's Pond/Warren Oaks neighborhood by installing temporary speed bumps in the summertime.

Other priority intersections include those along Grant Street, where we have had the highest number of vehicular accidents in District 7 during the past 30 months. Framingham DPW conducted the "Grant Street Neighborhood Complete Streets Evaluation" feasibility study in March 2018, and I support the results of the study to be considered a high priority for funding. The study evaluates real world conditions and proposes road, sidewalk, and signage improvements within the project limits to achieve safety for the residents and commuters.

I am also advocating for increased monitoring and enforcement of the posted speed limits in District 7. The increasing number of residents due to 1000 new apartments will consequently increase vehicles throughout the entire district and needs to be urgently and proactively addressed by our administration.

As City Councilor, I would support regulations and/or ordinances that would require new projects to incorporate transit-oriented development.

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

I have been working for the community for many years. I am engaged with local organizations, such as BRACE and the Democratic City Committee. I was a Town Meeting Member dedicating my free time for the good of all residents. I don't know my opponent very well, but he has claimed that I represent only the immigrants. This is not only false, but is also an argument used by those who would prefer to see no one advocating for immigrants, who need and have the right to representation.

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

N/A, I am incumbent.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Addressing Safety, Traffic, Environment, and Neighborhood Organization.
Keeping taxes low.
Improving quality and access to city services.
Supporting projects to update City building infrastructure.
Collaborating with the other city councilors and city administrators to tackle these most urgent issues.

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

As a co-founder of the movement Brazilians for Political Education, I have increased engagement and civic participation, particularly in Framingham's civic participation districts.

As the Affirmative Action and Outreach Advisor of the Framingham Democratic Committee, I help make political processes more inclusive and equitable.

As a member of the board of BRACE (Brazilian-American Center) I have connected the Brazilian community with other immigrant communities and with the rest of the city.

As an appointed Commissioner to the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women, I collaborate with my other commissioners to recommend public policies to improve the lives of women and girls in the MetroWest area.

As the Chair of the Boston Brazilian-American Citizen Consul, I helped to improve services as a bridge between the Brazilian-American residents and the Brazilian government, similar to what I believe is a very important role as City Councilor: advocating for my constituents' needs.

I have been assisting U.S. Green Card holders with Citizenship applications and young students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications, as well as promoting civic engagement and political education.

I've advocated state-wide for legislation to protect human rights and immigrants' inclusion.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

From my father: "Be and do your best in whatever situation you are in."

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

I want to assure every resident, along with my fight for immigrants, I will never stop fighting against racism, prejudice, discrimination, bigotry, and violence-- which is consistent with the beliefs of Framingham residents. I will always advocate, with the same passion, for individual rights-- independent of status, gender, color, national origin, or religion-- as well as partner with organizations to fight for our environment, to guarantee the best quality of life for everyone.