MAKING LOWELL HAPPEN

As our City Councilor, Vesna has followed through with his ideas for the betterment of Lowell in many ways.

REINVESTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY

Successful communities work to improve their efficiency and use taxpayer dollars wisely. Vesna proposed that Lowell participate in the Community Preservation Act (CPA), which was passed by 58% of Lowell voters in 2019. Lowell has collected $1.7 million in CPA funds to date, which are being used to preserve open space and historic sites, create affordable housing, and improve recreational facilities. He was an early advocate for pursuing income from marijuana sales and initiated the establishment of a special fund to invest in the city’s fire stations and other municipal buildings using a portion of the new revenue. To date, over $188,000 has been set aside for this purpose. As more dispensaries are licensed by the State and opened in Lowell, a portion of the taxes will go toward improving our ageing facilities. Vesna also pushed for Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) accelerated repair grants used to help repair and improve our school facilities. In January of 2020, Vesna voted to support a loan order for $13.6 million to fund heating system repair and roof replacements at six or our public school, and 78.95% of the funds will be reimbursed by the State.

ENHANCED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION

City government should openly and frequently engage and communicate with its residents. Vesna has advocated for engagement, communication, and transparency, and he sought to establish the Mayor’s Youth Commission to encourage young and diverse leaders to become engaged in the community. Vesna has also led efforts to enhance the diversity of our city and school administrations and requested an independent Human Resources audit to help set goals for the future.

IMPROVED PUBLIC SAFETY

Vesna’s 30-year career in public safety has guided his view that Lowell should continue to embrace community policing and restorative justice. Strong connections and trust between citizens and public safety officials has been rewarded. But we can do better, and Vesna strongly supported the creation of a Citizen Advisory Commission that regularly meets with the Lowell Police Department to share concerns from the community.

Public safety also means improving safety of our day-to-day lives. Vesna has worked to improve street safety for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians through better lighting and traffic flow. Vesna has sought to improve the City’s emergency management response plans to help ensure resident safety in the event of a natural disaster.

SENSIBLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Our small businesses have been negatively impacted by the global pandemic and the effects will be felt for years to come. Vesna has continued to advocate for grants and other financial resources to support Lowell's local businesses and has supported the City Manager's efforts to provide such aid. One significant effort throughout the pandemic has been the Department of Planning and Development’s (DPD) Small Business Emergency Relief Grant, which has administered two rounds of funding to small businesses. In the first round, $5,000 grants were given to each of 46 businesses. Of those businesses who received grants, 72% were minority owned, and 52% were women owned, and they employ over 300 people in Lowell. Vesna understands the needs of the local economy and the role that the City can play in both economic development and in the recovery effort from the pandemic. Through support for the City’s DPD and the City Manager’s Office, Vesna has advocated for such initiatives that provide the tools to build resiliency. Vesna has been a leading voice on the City Council to make sure that the next wave of Federal Funds through the American Recovery Act is used wisely and equitably to benefit all of Lowell’s residents.

RISE TOGETHER LOWELL

Going forward, Vesna will continue to work with all of Lowell in pursuit of a bold agenda.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND TRANSPARENCY

Lowell needs government and public service that is reflective of our residents, and Vesna will continue to visit our neighborhoods for public input on our most important issues, including developing a more participatory city budgeting process. Vesna will work to find ways that the city administration can better interact with our community members and improve dialogue.

BUILDING VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUSINESS DISTRICTS

There is a lot to like about Lowell, but we can do more when it comes to our neighborhoods and business districts. The City can work more closely with residents and business owners to build success. In neighborhoods this includes more green space, maintenance of playgrounds and playing fields, safe sidewalks, and strict code enforcement when it comes to derelict properties. Our business districts need help to support property improvements and add parking. Vesna is an advocate of more public input and participation on both long-term projects such as the Hamilton Canal Innovation District and immediate neighborhood and business district needs. Considering the pandemic, these efforts should be aimed at restoring and improving the quality of life in Lowell, while striving to create more employment opportunities by fostering economic activity downtown and throughout the city.

IMPROVING EDUCATION

Every child from every neighborhood in Lowell deserves a quality education that imparts 21st century skills and sets them on a path for future success. Vesna pledges to support reinvesting in our entire public education system. Great school systems help to build great communities, and with determination Lowell can have the best school system in the Commonwealth.