Meet Salem City Councilor For Re-Election Alice Merkl

SALEM, MA — Alice Merkl is seeking a second term on the Salem City Council where she is hoping to continue to serve city residents with her work on the Council and through constituent services.

A music teacher and volunteer for several civic and community organizations, Merkl has lived in the city for 12 years after moving to Massachusetts 25 years ago with her husband and daughter.

Merkl is one of six candidates — four incumbents and two challenges — seeking the four seats up for a vote on Nov. 7.

She told Patch that safe streets and sidewalks, the affordable housing crisis, the climate crisis and public health concerns will be her primary focuses if she is elected to a second, two-year term.

Patch sent a series of questions to candidates in contested races in this fall's election with these responses:

Campaign website/social media page:

www.electalicemerkl.com

Share some details about yourself, your ties to the city, your career in public office and/or professional life.

I am a Councillor at Large, a music teacher, and an active, involved community member here in Salem. I have lived in Massachusetts with my husband and daughter for over 25 years and made Salem my home in 2011.

I am passionate about serving my community through my many years of volunteer work here in Salem with organizations such as the Salem Pantry, The Women's Friend Society, and the Salem Education Foundation. Being on the City Council has really complemented and enhanced my service to our residents, and I am proud of the work I've done with my Council colleagues. It's been a great team effort over the last two years!

Why are you seeking this elected office?

We have many challenges that we are facing such as safe streets and sidewalks, the affordable housing crisis, the climate crisis and public health concerns, and I'm running for re-election because I want to continue the work we are doing to meet these challenges.

It has been an honor to serve on our City Council and I have so enjoyed assisting our Salem residents. With my volunteer work, I have the opportunity to talk with and listen to hundreds of our community members every week, hearing about their concerns, the challenges they face, and what they love about Salem! This allows me to better serve our residents on the Council and I hope to continue this work.

What are the key issues facing Salem and how would address them, if elected?

The key issues for me are the affordable housing crisis and public health. We are not immune from the affordable housing crisis at the state and national level, which has been devastating here in Salem. I speak with and assist people on a regular basis who are currently unhoused or facing displacement and it’s heartbreaking. I will continue working on initiatives, such as the Housing Production Plan and Inclusionary Zoning to address this.

With about 50% of our residents being renters, and about 80% of residents living in The Point Neighborhood being renters, we need the Condo Conversion ordinance put in place which will further protect renters facing displacement, and other initiatives to assist renters.

And we need to continue to support the efforts of organizations such as the North Shore CDC in creating truly affordable housing. I know from my own experience when I was a single mother years ago and housing insecure, the stress and anxiety that comes with it is crippling.

Public health is also one of my top priorities, which includes housing and food insecurity, and also the climate crisis is a threat to our public health. I continue to work hard to address these issues with my volunteer work and my work on the Council. Also maintaining our parks and open spaces is a public health issue. Investments in public spaces help address socioeconomic inequalities and health disparities.

I supported the Signature Parks initiative to help maintain some of our parks and open spaces. Another important component of public health is health equity, in which everyone has the opportunity to attain their highest level of health. I will do everything I can to support the new
Salem Family Health Center in the El Centro building proposal at the intersection of Lafayette Street and Derby Street which will include urgent care services.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this office?

We are fortunate to have a great group of candidates running who would each bring their own unique experiences and talents to the Council. What I feel I bring to the position is an in-touch voice and lived experiences that allow me to effectively advocate for the safety and well-being of all our residents. I've been responsive to our residents and also proactive by creating and
issuing a bi-weekly newsletter with Salem resources, events and volunteer opportunities. I have also just completed a Spanish language course to assist in my efforts to make all of our residents I engage with feel welcome and respected.

If you are an incumbent, what do you consider some of your accomplishments while in office and what are your priorities for the next term?

I am proud of the way our City Council has worked together and treated each other with respect. I initiated ordinance amendments to better protect our wildlife and domestic animals by improving regulations for the feeding of wildlife and disposal of waste. I have also worked on and supported many initiatives and ordinances that I am proud of in regard to the climate crisis, urban agriculture, reproductive and gender-affirming health care, and the creation of housing. I am excited to continue this work if reelected to the Council.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

In addition to what I've highlighted above, I have enjoyed my position as Council Liaison to Destination Salem and the Council on Aging. Working with Destination Salem has allowed me to advocate for our small business and creative communities. The Council on Aging has given me the
opportunity to assist in addressing the unique challenges our older adults face, such as affordable housing and transportation. It is also an absolute joy to volunteer for their events at the Community Life Center and experience firsthand the benefit of these events in addressing isolation and loneliness.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would like people to know how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to serve on our City Council. It has been incredibly rewarding and I so appreciate all the communication I have received over the last two years from residents. Their feedback and suggestions have really helped guide me in my work on the Council.