Worcester Candidate Profile: Ralph Tiscione Jr. For City Council

WORCESTER, MA — There are 13 people running in 2019 for six at-large seats on the Worcester City Council — and that includes five incumbents (Councilor Konstantina Lukes is not running for reelection).

One of the people seeking an at-large seat is Ralph Tiscione Jr., a 29-year Worcester firefighter and first-time candidate. The 59-year-old is running on issues like the dual tax rate, and trying to fix the homelessness and opioid crises.

Like all candidates in the race, Patch asked Tiscione to answer a few questions about why he's running. Here's how he answered the Patch candidate questionnaire:

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

the duel Tax rate. I intend to keep the lowest residential tax rate possible. to set a cap on the tax rate for elderly home owners and develop an assistance plan for residents facing foreclosure.

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

I am not a politacally motivated candidate My motivation is based on the needs of the citezens of Worcester and the solution to homelessness and the opioid epidemic.

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

there have been to many short term answers to some of the larger and growing problems within the City. as a result these problems continue to grow and become even larger issues on there impact to the City and it's residents

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I believe union involvement in the development of any city project should be the norm. that union labor and involvement will mean better production better and more jobs for residents of the city and and a wholly better finished project.

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

From my military back ground I have extensive experience utilizing the best best personel for accomplishing the job at hand, logistically getting the right materials and information to the right places on time and cost effectively. As a soldier in Afghanistan I participated in the negotiating for school construction, Hydro dam development and infrastructure development on a regular basis.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Serve your neighbor well, and be true to yourself.

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

I don't have an agenda unless the betterment and well being of Worcester and her residents can be considered such. For the majority of my life I have severed as instrument of service and have sacrificed much in my personnel life as a result of that service, and have as result of that I have discovered that it is what is most true in my life Serving for the the community and others is the way of my life.

Note: Patch has not edited the candidate's answers for grammar, content, or length.