“Being able to help people who otherwise might not be able to navigate City Hall has always been what inspires me to run and I believe my ability to think out of the box in coming up with ideas and solutions that others may shy away from.”
WORCESTER – As municipal election day gets closer, the Worcester Guardian reached out to candidates in contested races. Asking each a set of questions, the Guardian will publish these responses up until voting day (Nov. 7).
Incumbent Morris Bergman is running for city councilor-at-large.
Bergman says he is proud to be a first generation American and Worcesterite. Born and growing up on the east side, he often says he values and treasures living in a triple-decker in Worcester.
He is a 1981 graduate of Doherty Memorial High School and then attended Boston University, first as undergraduate, receiving a finance/marketing degree and then law school, receiving a Juris Doctor degree.
He has been a practicing lawyer in Worcester since 1988. Bergman was a member of the Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals from 2000-2007, and has been an at-large city councilor since 2013.
Married to Wendy J. Bergman, MD, they have three children: Max, Micah and Hanna, and also have a dog Lucy and Quaker parrot.
The following are Bergman’s responses to the Guardian’s questionnaire:
What inspired you to run (again), and what makes you the right person for the job?
Being able to help people who otherwise might not be able to navigate City Hall has always been what inspires me to run and I believe my ability to think out of the box in coming up with ideas and solutions that others may shy away from.
What are, or should be, the city council’s top priorities?
Maintaining public safety through adequate funding of police, fire and emergency services; providing housing opportunities to all levels of income, including first time home ownership; and properly maintaining and promptly repairing our sidewalks, streets and parks.
What’s the most negative impression of Worcester (whether real or imagined), and how do you think this can be remedied?
That Worcester is not clean. I think we need to have more city trash cans available in the commercial areas and we need to make it easier to drop off trash and large bulk items by expanding the hours at the Ballard Street location.
Do you think the city is responding appropriately to immigration to Worcester? Is the city meeting the needs of the influx of refugees?
It’s a difficult question to respond to as it takes time for those newly immigrating here to interact with those in elected office and for those of us in elected office to find the best avenues to interact with new immigrants. I have met with many faith based organizations that have good contacts with the immigrant communities and I have heard positive comments about the immigration experience to Worcester, although the lack of good paying jobs has been a common complaint. I would like to think that the large popular growth in Worcester is a testament to Worcester being a welcoming place in meeting the needs of immigrants.
Now that we’re several seasons in, what are your thoughts on the city’s investment in Polar Park? Good or bad for the city?
I think Polar Park has been one of the best investments the city has ever made.The positive marketing that we have received because of this has resulted in numerous businesses and individuals wanting to (re)locate here. This has expanded our tax base, increased property values and has overall made Worcester a more attractive place to live.
What’s the best place for breakfast or lunch in the city?
For breakfast, the Broadway or Boulevard Diner and I am sure many others! For lunch, there are too many good places, so I wouldn’t want to miss any by mentioning only a few.
What’s the last concert you attended?
LOL. Disturbed this past August at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield! Probably a very surprising answer to some, and it’s a long story, but I was happy to be there with my son.
