The following is a list of the questions that we are asking city council candidates.

• Contact information questions

  • Deborah Riley

  • 📱: 617-447-3591

  • 📧: ElectDeborahRiley@gmail.com

  • 🌐: www.ElectDeborahRiley.com

• What is your political party?

  • Unenrolled / Independent

• What race are you running for?

  • Ward 6 councilor

• Why are you running for office?

  • I am running again to give the voters in Ward 6 a choice. Many residents are discouraged over the increase in property tax bills and the amount of debt the city has incurred. They are frustrated to see their tax dollars going toward expensive statues, excessive celebrations and unnecessary land purchases. I will be an independent voice on the city council advocating for the citizens and property tax payers in Quincy.

• Do you or does anyone in your family work for the City of Quincy in any capacity? (Please consider first cousins and closer relationships only.) (yes / no)

  • Yes

• Do you or does anyone in your family own or work at a company that does business with the City of Quincy? (yes / no)

  • No

• Having personal ties to the city does not disqualify a candidate for office by any means. But voters may be concerned that if you answered yes to either of the previous two questions, you may not be willing to speak out on their behalf if doing so might jeopardize your or your family members' relationships with the city. What would you say to those voters?

  • I sure hope that's not the case but I can see why some feel that way. It's easy to back the status quo and harder to speak up against those in power.

• If elected, would you go out into the community to hold town-hall-type meetings at least once every quarter? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, will you create an online newsletter or blog to keep your constituents informed?

  • Yes

• If elected, will you take advantage of the city's translation services for your newsletter and town halls?

  • Yes

• If elected, will you sponsor or co-sponsor an ordinance to create a regular opportunity for public comment before council meetings? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you work to repeal the mayor's 79% raise? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you work to repeal the council's 50% raise? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you work to repeal the annual raises for the mayor and councilors that the council voted through -- without public comment -- this spring? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you work to establish a fair system for councilor and mayoral raises going forward, seeking input from residents and using data from similar government types in Massachusetts? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• If elected, would you take classes from the Massachusetts Municipal Association on good governance and open meeting/public records laws? (yes / no)

  • Yes

• Are you active in any community groups? If so, which ones and why?

  • I give regularly of my time and financial support to various causes and community organizations.

• If you'd like to add any comments about any of your answers, please do so here.

  • I have attended numerous board, committee and council meetings and I see a disconnect between what voters want and what happens at City Hall. I’d like to be a bridge between the two.