Talk Over Tea

Claudel took the questions you submitted and got answers from the Mayor in their most casual conversation yet. This episode is full of unexpected laughs and opportunities to get to know Kassandra that you’ve never had before. Kassandra will cover everything from handling stress and criticism to where she finds inspiration. Claudel even asks her to break into a song… does she do it?

In this episode Kassandra and Claudel contemplate the challenges of building a government that meets your expectations. Can the system be data informed and built on a long term vision but also pragmatic and responsive to market conditions, current events, and opportunities? Our City is experiencing tremendous growth and with it comes growing pains but this push and pull is not new. Listen and drop a comment. We need to hear from you on this one.

One of the top priorities for municipal officials today is tackling the housing crisis. Massachusetts built approximately 900,000 new homes from 1960 to 1990 and half has many homes in the 30 years since. Seeing this as a production issue we can focus on increasing housing options to balance supply and demand. Cities and towns don’t typically build housing but they can create an environment that encourages and incentivizes development. Kassandra and Claudel will talk about what their community is doing to make a difference and help everyone feel at home in Amesbury.

They might not be as entertaining as a Schoolhouse Rock song but they’re breaking down the life of a Council Bill for you. Kassandra and Claudel share the ins and outs of navigating city council and making bills into laws at the local level. They’ll talk about when you can get involved and how. Admitting the distinctly unique schedule and process they also discuss opportunities for improving the process.

Kassandra gave Claudel homework to prepare for this listener request. Tune in and you can skip the homework but benefit from the lesson. Jeff Speck is a city planner who wrote the book Walkable City and he’s actually visited Amesbury. In this episode you’ll get a crash course on what makes a walkable city, how street design impacts driver behavior and placemaking principles. Kassandra and Claudel will share which cities they’ve visited that feel walkable and a few ideas for the future of Amesbury’s walk.

Kassandra and Claudel are members of the Partnership of Amesbury Community and Teens (PACT). PACT is a youth-centered substance prevention coalition that brings Amesbury teens and adults together to cooperatively address concerns that can lead to youth substance use. Together they foster a culture of empathy and understanding towards young people in the community. In this episode you’ll learn more about the organization, their work, and why you should care. Even if we don’t have children of our own or work directly with young people, we have the power to create a youth friendly community.

Stick with us for one more episode about local budgets. Kassandra will break down how the characteristics and amenities in your community influence local receipts, or revenue, and what that means for your wallet. By comparing municipal budgets from different corners of the Commonwealth you’ll learn how to read the numbers and make informed decisions about what to expect from the city or town you live in. This can also help you determine how to get involved in local conversations.

Now that you know where to find more information about what’s happening in your city or town, learn who is making those decisions. In this episode Kassandra and Claudel talk about the school and city budget process, state involvement in our budget, budget hearings with department heads, and your opportunity to get involved.

Everyone who pays taxes expects some level of service. Before you buy a house or move to a city or town do you research what services are provided by that municipality? Learn more from Kassandra and Claudel about what to look for and where to find that information.

Kassandra and Claudel talk about their professional backgrounds and shared experience in real estate. They’ll explore how it’s helped them transition to their elected positions in the City of Amesbury. As you listen, think about how your professional experience could help your city or town. Think about how you consider the experience of people running for office in your city or town. Do you look for a linear path or an unusual one? How unusual?