Bukia Chalvire: Peabody City Council Candidate Profile

PEABODY, MA — Bukia Chalvire is seeking her first term as a Peabody At-Large City Councilor.

The 45-year-old has spent the last six years as an executive assistant at the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants.

She tells Patch her focus on the city council would be advocating for Peabody students with their mental health, supporting small businesses and keeping Peabody affordable for seniors and families.

She is a registered Republican and lives in Peabody with her husband and three children.

The citywide general election is on Nov. 2.

Campaign website

kia4peabody.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I hope to give back and be of service to my city and my community

The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Mental Health: Advocate for emotional support and mental health professional (services) for our students. Maintaining quality of life, support for small businesses. Keep Peabody affordable for our senior community and families.

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

I am a fierce advocate for mental health, small business supporter, and an outside-the-box thinker.

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

A lack of advocacy for mental health for our youth and seniors affected by this pandemic, due to isolation and loss of family.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I think they did well navigating through uncharted waters. Now, I would to see more focus on the implications of COVID-19 for mental health, substance use, well-being for children, parents and our seniors.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Implementing new, fresh innovative ideas to make Peabody a destination for families, work, businesses and recreation.

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

I have served on many community boards: Mattapan Board of trade, former trustee for the Lynn Baptiste Washington Street Church, Mattapan Tech.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Our best days are ahead of us." This quote inspires optimism and hope in uncertain times.

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

My team and I have knocked on 10,000 doors, held 100's of campaign standouts, distributed 100's of signs, attended and sponsored many community events. We worked very hard to earn your vote. I respectfully ask for one of your 5 votes for Councilor At-large on November 2nd.