Meet the Candidate- Mark Wright (At-large City Council)

This profile is part of a “Meet the Candidate” series. All candidates were given the opportunity to answer the same questions. Their responses are published verbatim, without any editing.

Why did you decide to run for office?

I decided to run for office because I am a firm believer that the best way to be effective is to create change from within. 

If reelected, what would be your top 3 priorities?

1. Keeping Newburyport affordable – Living within the constraints of Prop 2 1/2.
2. Listening to constituents to determine priorities to allocate scarce financial resources to multiple competing items.
3. Legislate for responsible new growth to grow the City’s revenues without burdening the taxpayers.

What can city government do to make local housing more affordable?

I served on the Planning and Development subcommittee that created and passed the Accessory Dwelling Unit zoning and I am looking forward to seeing how it is implemented.

Do you think residents are getting their money’s worth in city services from taxes?

I believe there is always a way to make city hall more efficient in delivering the services that we value.  Municipal government could benefit from adopting continuous improvement cultures to deliver services more efficiently while reducing costs.

How would you balance historic preservation with more practical concerns like safety and accessibility?

I don’t see historic preservation and safety and accessibility being in conflict.  In fact, I think the appeal to Newburyport is that they have been able to balance both sides in a way that is a win for the city.

How do you think Newburyport schools stack up against others in Essex County?

I think Newburyport schools are above average, and we should aspire to improve our rankings based on the resources we allocate to the school system.

What else should voters know about you?

My wife Lela and I have lived in Newburyport for over 25 years.  We have raised 3 adult children who all attended Newburyport schools and experienced the joy of having 5 grandchildren. I served for 4 years on the School Committee, 3 as Vice Chair. I have been deeply involved in the community, having worked for two local banks, coached youth soccer and attended many youth sports events in supporting my children and their friends.

Mark Wright is a candidate for Newburyport City Council, at large. Election and early voting information can be found here.