Why Leora Mallach Wants To Be Framingham's D7 Councilor

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Voters in Framingham's downtown-area District 7 will get a new City Councilor after Nov. 2.

Councilor Margareth Shepard is stepping aside at the end of her second term, and two candidates are vying for the seat: Magda Janus and Leora Mallach.

We sent both Janus and Mallach a questionnaire ahead of Election Day so voters can get to know them a little better (even though they were both on the ballot in the Sept. 14 primary). Here's what Mallach had to say:

Although you were a primary candidate, can you remind voters who you are and why you're running?

I am running because I believe that I am the best candidate to represent the varied perspectives that are District 7 in the City Council. I have the attention to detail, and the leadership experience to encourage communal engagement and build a thriving community.

I grew up in a civically-minded family, from dinner table conversations to getting involved in different ways. I work passionately for causes I believe in, including founding a non-profit organization that teaches about healthy and sustainable food systems.

I am an educator by training, and think about how our decisions affect the next generation. We must continue to invest in our schools, and build a strong foundation for our kids to grow. We need to be forward-thinking and commit to building a new elementary school on the south side of our city.

I value community and after moving to Framingham initiated meeting my neighbors quickly; hosting a block party after 4 months. For two years I have been on the Agricultural Advisory Committee and I am a member worker at Stearns Farm. My little free library and front yard pollinator gardens are intentional ways I create opportunity for community exchange.

The role of the City Councilor is to be a line of communication between people in the community and the city government – and to help information flow both ways. As I knock on doors and meet residents, I am thinking about how communication happens between neighbors, districts and in our community. I am translating my campaign materials, and working hard to meet as many people as possible. If elected, I will work to develop robust lines of communication between our local government, residents and business owners.

I have been meeting District 7 representatives who currently serve on a variety of boards, committees and commissions in our City. I have been meeting with City administrative staff and front-line workers. I find it inspiring to hear their reasons for serving, and look forward to working alongside them. You can find out more on my Facebook page.

If elected to City Council, what's the first thing you would want to accomplish?

My areas of focus as District 7 City Councilor would be the downtown district and the various sustainability initiatives our city is in the midst of. This is coupled with the issues that district residents have been telling me, including strong desire for traffic calming measures. I support our sustainability efforts thus far, and the newly formed Sustainability Committee, and want us to invest more effort and (non-fossil fuel) energy in this area. Our city-wide planning needs to prioritize our public transportation infrastructure and our bike and hiking trails as viable commuter options.

I would like to see Framingham seriously pursue efforts at community aggregated utilities, as municipalities around us have. Our infrastructure needs to developed with an eye toward the climate uncertainty we are in the midst of, including attention to stormwater runoff and wetland protection.

Several Patch readers have said they want to hear about plans to make downtown safer and more business-friendly. What would be your approach to tackling quality-of-life issues in the downtown area?

I have spent a lot of time learning and discussing the downtown business district. I had an informative conversation with Police Chief Baker and Deputy Chief Riley about employing a Hub model, such as in Chelsea, that engages leaders of community agencies for weekly meetings. This idea is that often individuals (and families) need support from a variety of services, and this provides agencies to be in communication, and hold each other accountable. This model of collaboration appeals to me and I will work to support its implementation in Framingham.

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The more we build the economic engine, the better the quality of life will be. I have met with District 8 Councilor John Stefanini (whose district also encompasses part of the downtown), in order to hear more about initiatives that have been successful in the past, and what he sees as essential for moving forward. Since the downtown area is included in three City political districts, I will work with the councilors from 8 & 9 to focus attention and resources towards revitalizing our downtown. I have also approached the majority of the downtown businesses to hear from them what they want from the city, what we are doing well and what we can improve. A majority of the business owners do not live in our District, and many do not live in Framingham, although their needs as owners are relevant to our district.

I chose to live in Framingham as I was looking to live walkably convenient to a commuter rail location and local businesses. I met with Anthony Lucivero, new Executive Director of Downtown Framingham, Inc., DFI to learn more about the history of the area, and current initiatives to support and entice businesses. Their organizing work over the years has been a tremendous asset to our community including their community events (such as the upcoming Octoberfest on Oct. 30). I appreciate that our downtown is largely locally (regionally) owned and not by multi-national corporations.

There must be a plan to improve parking in the downtown area to support local shopping and ease of use. I heard this from business owners, and local residents. I have been following the conversations and proposals for shrinking the area of the central business district, and the discussion of a Hospital Medical Zone overlay. I am very excited that Invictus Forever will be moving into the old Marian High School building on Union Street, and looking forward to them being a part of our community.

We must work together to continue to stabilize and grow the economic engine of this central business district and develop a well-rounded, balanced approach to growth and address issues of concern. It is full of potential.

The City Council earlier this year voted to eliminate the Framingham economic development director's job (the D7 Councilor did not). How does that move impact downtown Framingham, and what's your vision for the city's economic development and planning department?

This decision had a huge impact not only for downtown Framingham but for the city as a whole. I would like the economic development and planning department to be fully staffed and fully funded, to the best of our abilities, as should all City departments. The budget process this past spring contentious, as many of the interactions between the city council and the administration have been. Part of my goal in joining the city council is to help stabilize the rocky road we’re on, amidst the transition to a city form of government. This will take time. I believe I have the right skill set, and temperament, to do so.

Related: What Magda Janus Wants To Do As Framingham's D7 Councilor