Cambridge Election 2024 Ward 3 candidate Frank Stout

Editor’s Note: On Oct. 19, 2024, voters in the City of Cambridge will select from a field of candidates for City Council and Mayor.

CAMBRIDGE - In August, the Banner reached out to each candidate with questions and will be posting their answers in full on Bay-to-Bay News each day during the week of Sept. 23 – 27, and in upcoming Dorchester Banner print editions.

If print edition space is limited, a link to each full response on Bay-to-Bay News will be provided.)

City Council Candidates – Ward 3: Frank Stout

What inspired you to run for City Council in 2024?

Cambridge has a momentum that I would very much like to participate in advancing. The renovation of the Packing House on Dorchester Ave. and the prospect of a redeveloped waterfront create major opportunities for the Cambridge community to move forward. Like any community, Cambridge also has aspects that can be improved upon. I would like very much to be a part of helping to address our challenges and work cooperatively with government and community stakeholders to improve those conditions as well.

Please comment on any qualifications or background you feel would be especially beneficial to serving on City Council?

From 2008 – 2012, I served on Cambridge City Council representing Ward 3. While much has changed since then, I do believe that the experience gained from previously serving on City Council would help me get up to speed quickly. In addition, I have worked for both Dorchester County Public Schools as a teacher and administrator, and as the Director of Recreation and Parks for Dorchester County. The Recreation and Parks position gave me the opportunity to work with peers across the state. Being able to connect with a broader network of people in other communities working to address similar challenges can help identify strategies that have been successful in other jurisdictions. If I can tap into some of that experience and help adapt it to specific situations in our community, it could assist in continuing to improve conditions locally.

Can you pinpoint one or more area(s) of personal and/or professional growth which would be a special strength on City Council?

I believe that having some previous experience working with government offices and agencies at both local and state levels is a strength. Personally, finding opportunities to assist others in any way I can has always been very fulfilling. I would be honored to use that desire to serve on City Council.

Comment on any (or all) of the following issues currently facing Cambridge. Feel free to add any additional issues:

1.Juvenile curfew and positive youth initiatives

Different studies, and different sources will provide various rationale and data both pro and con for the concept of implementing juvenile curfew initiatives. In my years working with young people in the school setting it is my experience that children trust adults who are consistently there to support them and provide structure. There is a security knowing that an adult is there to help make sure that outcomes are safe. Young people who do not have that consistent support and structure are forced to experiment with behavior and decision-making. We know that other influences will encourage unsafe behavior, and those opportunities become much more available on the street later in the evening. A juvenile curfew will help young people find their way home and away from harmful decisions late in the evening on the street.

While working in Recreation and Parks I wrote the application that provided the funding to secure the recreational facility on Leonards Lane for the County. In working with the previous ownership and representatives from the Boys and Girls Club, we were able to develop a partnership that is generating programming for youth in that building right now! The expansion of the Boys and Girls Club into the renovated original Maces Lane School site will also be a huge advantage for additional youth programming opportunities.

2.Cambridge Waterfront development, YMCA

Thankfully, there has been a great deal of community input that has been heard and incorporated into the plan renderings that have been shared. The acres of public access to the waterfront, the thoughtful positioning of green spaces, and the extension of the beautiful promenade all allow local residents and visitors alike to enjoy the area every time they visit. At a recent City Council meeting I was able to hear the Pinnacle Hospitality Group give a presentation on a plan for the development of a small hotel on a portion of the property. Both the presentation shared by management and the drawings illustrating what the build out would look like were very impressive. The hotel component, the proposed restaurant component and the expansion of the working waterfront would all bring jobs to the Cambridge waterfront and spur economic growth locally.

There is no disagreement that a new YMCA facility in Cambridge would be a welcome addition to the community. I have seen how modernized YMCA’s better serve their communities. There is still further work that needs to be done to decide what location makes the most sense. Wherever a new YMCA is located, we must be sure the facility has adequate square footage to fully build out all the amenities a community needs and wants. Consideration for ample parking to serve such a facility must also be taken into account.

3.Flooding mitigation efforts

This is clearly an extremely important issue and has routinely caused many serious concerns. Currently the work being done on the streets in the West End leading to the river is a significant effort to start mitigating the problems we are experiencing. I would like to speak directly with our engineering staff and discuss what additional measures could be taken. I would also like to learn more about what other waterfront communities are doing to address similar concerns.

4.Safe, affordable housing

City Council must work with the City Manager to ensure that Building Safety Services has the training, staffing, and organizational capacity necessary to ensure that residential housing stock in the City of Cambridge is maintained to code. The city must also work with property owners to find ways to incentivize higher standards of maintenance and upkeep of residential property.

Community Policing and Policing with Purpose initiatives put in place by CPD have helped lower several crime statistics as indicated in recent quarterly reporting found on the city’s website. The Citizens Police Academy is also being offered to better inform the public about police work and efforts to provide for public safety. We as citizens have a great opportunity to participate with our Police Department and work together to make our community safe.

5.Growing and sustaining Main Street and Pine Street

Recent business development on Pine Street is an outstanding addition to the community! Cambridge Main Street’s efforts to improve aesthetics and promote business growth downtown play a vital part in sustaining a vibrant commercial district. The Chamber of Commerce also plays an important role in steadfastly championing the ambitions of local business. The city’s Economic Development Division must continuously be seeking additional ways in which Cambridge can support these organizations and connect with local businesses to better understand their unique needs and the ways in which the city can provide assistance.

How would you help contribute to moving Cambridge forward? Addressing the past? Bringing the city together

Being on the City Council requires a lot of research and information processing. To make good decisions, City Council members must be thoroughly informed. I understand this and am prepared to accept this responsibility. The City Council must work cooperatively with the City Manager to set a direction for each department that will provide the best quality service in the most efficient manner. As City Council moves into the next term, there must be a renewed commitment to collaboration and clear communication with all stakeholder groups as we address the opportunities and challenges with which the city is currently presented as well as those that we will face in the months and years ahead.