What I said at the NWCLA Candidate’s Night

Subject what I said at the North Worcester County Landlord’s Association Candidates Night October 27th
DateCreated 10/28/2011 8:29:00 AM
PostedDate 10/28/2011 5:29:00 AM
I can’t speak to other communities in our region, but I can say that the city of Fitchburg has a difficult relationship with investor owners. The drumbeat for more demolition was hard to miss at the last debate among incumbent and future councillors. “The city would be a better place if only we could tear more buildings down,” they said. I’ve been behind the scenes at the city during the demolition discussions. The amount of institutional energy that goes into that process is phenomenal.

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Maybe it’s time instead for a different approach. After all, if we’re going to add more police officers, more streetlights and more hours for the library, we’re going to need more tax revenue. Vacant lots are great trash collectors, but lousy revenue generators. We need properly managed rental properties as part of our urban landscape.
Not all investor owners are outsiders looking to squeeze every cent they can out of their property, not caring who they rent to, how their tenants behave, or how their properties look from the outside. But there are undeniably too many owners who are in it for the short haul – not to invest in a property, but to turn a quick buck, run their properties down and then walk away when the rents stop and the code enforcement citations begin piling up.
But you and I know that the real problems aren’t so simple. Factors like the bad economy, high unemployment, low property values, the high costs of renovation and the restrictive lending policies of banks are the real culprits.
It is these factors which undermine even the most responsible investor owners in their efforts to manage their properties effectively. Most of you are probably responsible property owners. To many of you, property management is an exhausting 24/7 job to identify stable tenants and keep your properties in good condition, so that they become successful investments. This is what the city needs more of – and needs to support.
So how do we work together to support our mutual self interests – stable neighborhoods that decent tenants aren’t afraid to rent in, that lenders aren’t afraid to lend to, and in which responsible owners can realize a solid return on their investments?
While there are no easy answers, we can work together in meaningful ways – like in Fitchburg’s Elm Street neighborhood, where the city has made street and sidewalk improvements, increased police presence and financed new construction in concert with private owners making improvements to their properties, and participating in the local neighborhood association. The city needs to see more neighborhood-based organizations and more committed investors willing to participate.
Another idea I’d like to discuss with you is whether we can mutually agree on a common set of management principles for property ownership – standards that allow the city to recognize and partner with responsible owners, while aggressively pursuing those irresponsible owners that give landlords a bad name.
We need responsible owners if we are to become a safer, more prosperous city. And you, as responsible owners need cooperation and help from the City if you are to operate as successful business owners. And committed city councillors need to be part of such an effort.
I’m one of several new faces on the political scene in Fitchburg. The city needs new people, with fresh ideas and a willingness to think in the long term. I’m David Streb, and for those of you from Fitchburg, I’d appreciate one of your votes. Thank you.

 

What I said at the Councillor-At-Large Debate

Subject what I said at the Councillor at large debate
DateCreated 10/27/2011 6:04:00 AM
PostedDate 10/27/2011 3:04:00 AM
I think we can all agree that the City of Fitchburg is today facing some of the greatest challenges in its history. In times like these, our best asset lies in our ability to work together to face these challenges. What is happening instead is that we are acting on a local level just like the Republicans and Democrats on the national level – voting for and against critically important matters strictly on the basis of who proposes them – not on their merits.

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If we as a city are going to move forward on such critical matters as the supplemental budget for more police officers and more hours for the library, turning on our streetlights, using grant funds for downtown improvements, or allowing voters to decide whether to approve a debt exclusion to fix our streets, we need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot and start working together for YOU the voters. The nature of the Councillor at Large position is different from Ward Councillor. Councillors at Large represent the city as a whole. It’s essential that you elect candidates who can put the city ahead of politics.
I pledge to you tonight that if I am granted the honor and privilege of representing you as Councilor at large that I will never vote on an issue for any reason other than whether it will serve the best interests of this great city.
You’ve heard from several at-large candidates tonight that represent real change for Fitchburg. This city needs new faces – new blood and new ideas to represent you, the voter. This is my first time running for office, but I worked for this city for over 27 years. I know how to get things done and how to work with people on both sides of the aisle. I’m David Streb, and I’d appreciate one of your votes. Let’s work together to improve our great city. Thank you.