Platform

Fiscal Responsibility

Why are taxes skyrocketing?

Quincy is burdened with $1.6B in debt, poor financial oversight, and unchecked spending—from 79% pay raises to bloated projects like the animal shelter and the Public Safety HQ. Standard and Poor’s recently downgraded Quincy’s rating. $3.5 million went missing from the pension fund (and none knew for months). We even have a Director of the Elder Services indicted for stealing from the Kennedy Center for seniors. We’ve lost businesses like Acapulcos while taxpayers foot the bill. Debt repayment, including interest is now Quincy’s second-largest expense, limiting money for schools, roads, sidewalks, flooding, traffic and public safety.

The City Council must be a check on power—not a rubber stamp. We can get control of the debt by freezing all but essential spending, restructuring obligations and committing to a long-term repayment plan. I will scrutinize ever budget and loan request. I will vote no when proposals don’t serve the public. And I will prepare an ordinance to rescind the mayor’s and city council’s raises. I will ensure that promised audits are delivered and not forgotten.

Transparency & Accountability

Taxpayers deserve a voice.

Decisions are too often made behind closed doors: from costly statues to pay hikes revealed after budget hearings. Why doesn’t the public have a say in how our property taxes, our money, is spent? There are a lack of public meetings, a lack of communication among constituents and city councilors, and a lack of transparency when it comes to paying for vanity and developer projects.

• How many taxpayers knew we were going to pay millions of dollars for two 10-foot statues and angels?
• Why were the monstrous mayor and city councilors’ pay raises made public after the Quincy budget hearing?
• Why did it take a massive outcry to protect the wetlands at 0 Harriet Avenue?
• Why is Wollaston Center and Newport Ave. still empty lots?
• How in the world was $3.5 million lost from the pension fund and no one knew for months?
• Why has he current City Council voted yes on 99.4% of mayoral requests?

The City Council is supposed to provide a public forum to exchange information—about both Quincy citizens’ concerns and what the city is doing. I’ll hold regular public forums, require meaningful hearings, and improve communication through newsletters, social media, and the city’s website. Most importantly, I’ll always return your phone calls, emails, and letters.

The City Council should be a watchdog and voice for its constituents. I will work to realize the promise of the Urban Renewal Development Plan for revitalize Newport Avenue and Wollaston Center and seek flooding solutions like those in the Hazard Mitigation Plan to replace the tidal gate and culverts at Sagamore Creek.

As your City Councillor, I will always be available to you and take whatever concern or suggestion you have seriously. I have the education, experience, and passion to be Quincy’s watchdog, communicator and advocate.

Please feel free to contact me at 781-437-5330 or kthrunforquincy@gmail.com.