I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish in my first term on City Council — especially cutting the ribbon on the Dog Park and witnessing the opening of the Little Indonesia Cultural Center. Here is a list of the issues and priorities that were listed on my campaign website during my campaign for City Council, and updates on each item.
Crystal Paradis for Somersworth City Council At-Large: Connecting Somersworth, Fostering Community
Last updated with progress on these goals: June 20, 2021
Improve Access to Our City’s Public Spaces
- Lead efforts to improve accessibility to and quality of our city’s outdoor spaces
- Work to make our library and public buildings more accessible [Update: Feasibility study RFP posted for Library Accessibility on 3/21/21; RFP was authorized in 12/14/20 City Council meeting (see page 13)]
- Establish Somersworth’s first dog park for our canine neighbors! [Update: Ribbon cut on new dog park 11/11/20!]
Increase Transparency and Accessibility in our Local Government
- Modernize our municipal communications, particularly in the digital realm [Rolling requests for improved information visibility on website — if there’s anything you can’t find on the City website, let me know — staff is responsive at relocating/adding links]
- Support efforts that regularly connect Hilltoppers and municipal officials and representatives [Coffee w/ a Councilor events held regularly (and then virtually once COVID-19 pandemic prevented in-person)]
- Promote transparency and easy access to information in all local government departments (i.e., master plans, HDC reports, election data) [Update: view 2010 Master Plan here; Updated HDC Standards for Review; 2019 Election Results]
Promote Forward-Thinking Community Development Policy
- Promote smart zoning and land use policies that are resident-friendly and promote our vibrant small businesses
- Make the proposed Little Indonesia project a reality in 2020 [Update: Joined Little Indonesia Committee in 2020; Ribbon cut on Little Indonesia Cultural Center on 5/15/21]
- Identify and promote innovative policies and expand opportunities for community input [Connected Indigenous NH with Cultural Committee to advocate for inclusion of the Pennacook tribe of the Abenaki people (who were on this land for thousands of years before European colonialism) in the “founding cultures of Somersworth” banners of Somersworth.]
Foster Partnerships that are Good for Somersworth
- Leverage relationships with statewide leaders, groups and resources for Hilltoppers [Participates in weekly calls with regional Economic Development managers & brings regional best practice initiatives to Council]
- Strengthen collaborative efforts with our neighboring downtown of Berwick [In-process: talking with Berwick and NH/ME DOT on flowerpots on bridge]
- Work with school board and community coalitions to strengthen our schools and resources for our youth [Approved resolution affirming commitment to SYC; passed school board budget saving jobs by allowing use of saved revenue into the new budget.]
Advocate for the Wellness of all Somersworth Residents
- Protect the Salmon Falls Watershed and other at-risk natural resources [Introduced & passed ordinance allowing beekeeping by residents of Somersworth (see page 16-21)]
- Support first responder efforts that strengthen community engagement [Confirmed commitment from Police Chief to assign new officer to implement ACERT (Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team) program (at 01:32:25 in linked video)]
- Address the city’s opioid crisis with approaches that include harm reduction and expanded treatment and recovery efforts [Joined board of SOS Recovery Center to deepen Somersworth’s connection to recovery initiatives]