Stephanie Peach: Peabody City Council Candidate Profile

PEABODY, MA — Stephanie Peach is seeking her first term representing Ward 3 on the Peabody City Council.

The 30-year-old mother of two is a Peabody Veterans alumna who earned bachelor's degrees in political science and history at Westfield State University and a Master's of Public Administration at UMass-Boston.

A credit analyst for the past five years, Peach told Patch that she is running to be a new voice on the City Council that talks about the Peabody of the future instead of "the Peabody of 40 years ago."

Campaign website

facebook.com/PeachForWard3

Why are you seeking elective office?

The short answer is because I care. I have always been civically engaged and watch the city meetings to know what is being voted on. I am running to improve our quality of life, our government transparency, and be a voice for Ward 3 residents. There is too much focus on the Peabody of 40 years ago and I believe the focus needs to be on the future of Peabody.

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

The single most pressing issue facing our city is the post-COVID-19 world. As we emerge from this pandemic we face challenges with commercial real estate, new needs for residents/businesses, and an expected level of accessibility to local government that is higher than before. We need to create a strategic plan that addresses these issues and allows our city to adapt to a changing economic landscape.

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

For the first time since 2013, the voters of Ward 3 have a choice for their city councilor. I have been out meeting residents and listening to their concerns. As a ward councilor, your main job is to be accessible to the residents of the ward. I have heard several times that this is not the case with our current councilor. I will utilize various forms of communication and be an open and transparent representative for Ward 3.

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

In my opinion, our current councilor does not give much thought to the future of Peabody or Ward 3. Many of their comments are rooted in the Peabody of 30-40 years ago, when I would like to see a focus and plan for the next 30 years of Peabody. Earlier this year, the public learned of a power plant proposal in Ward 3. In an interview with the Salem News, the current councilor stated they were made aware of the project proposal in 2016, but since it was 5 years down the road no action was taken to inform the public. Neighborhood meetings should have occurred 5 years ago, prior to any agreements.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never stop listening and learning.

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

I grew up in Peabody and graduated PVMHS in 2009. My husband and I bought our first house on Fulton Street in Ward 3 and then moved to Margin Terrace in 2017. We have chosen Peabody, and specifically, Ward 3, to raise our family.

For the past several months, I have been going door to door to meet residents of Ward 3. I have listened to the concerns people have for the city and I am ready to represent this ward.

If elected, I will continue to listen and advocate for Ward 3 every step of the way.