Margaret Farmer
Margaret Farmer was a nonpartisan candidate for District 1 representative on the Boston City Council in Massachusetts. Farmer was defeated in the primary election on September 26, 2017.
Biography
Farmer received a bachelor's degree in political science from Hood College. Her professional experience includes working as the director of development at the North Suffolk Mental Health Association. She has served as president of the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association.[1]
Elections
2017
The city of Boston, Massachusetts, held elections for mayor and city council on November 7, 2017. A primary election occurred on September 26, 2017. All 13 seats on the city council were up for election. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was May 23, 2017.
Stephen Passacantilli and Lydia Edwards defeated Margaret Farmer in the primary election for District 1 on the Boston City Council.[2]
| Boston City Council, District 1 Nonpartisan Primary Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Stephen Passacantilli |
47.00% | 3,628 |
| Lydia Edwards |
45.95% | 3,547 |
| Margaret Farmer | 6.76% | 522 |
| Write-in votes | 0.29% | 22 |
| Total Votes | 7,719 | |
| Source: City of Boston, "Official District 1 election results," September 26, 2017 | ||
Campaign themes
2017
Farmer's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[3]
Airbnb
- Excerpt: "Owner occupants making a few dollars off their spare room is a time honored tradition; in the first half of the 20th century many families took in boarders as a way to supplement their income. For many individuals, Airbnb is simply a new way to facilitate an old transaction. However, there is a difference between a resident making some extra money by offering that extra bedroom on Airbnb and absentee landlords using the service to run unlicensed hotels."
East Boston History Museum
- Excerpt: "Such a facility would draw tourists across the harbor, offer students and residents the opportunity to learn about our history, and provide another space for local artists to showcase their talents. As your City Councilor I will work with the East Boston Museum to find them a permanent home, and opportunities to continue to celebrate our rich history and culture."
Minimum wage
- Excerpt: "In the City of Boston, a worker earning the current $11 per hour minimum wage would have to work 94 hours a week just to afford a two-bedroom apartment at the market rate. Because of this, I support the Fight for $15."
Opioid crisis
- Excerpt: "As your city councilor, I will prioritize creating a Boston version of the Angel program, pioneered and already successful in Gloucester, where an individual can walk into a police station and ask for help finding treatment. I will also push for an increase in the number of Rapid Access Treatment beds ensuring that those seeking help with addiction can get it immediately."
Public safety
- Excerpt: "The Boston Police Department needs the tools and funding to engage in a comprehensive recruitment effort, reaching kids as young as middle school to ensure that they understand that police officer is a noble and needed profession. Such a recruitment drive will also help to ensure that our police force’s makeup is reflective of the neighborhoods in which it serves while be large enough to ensure adequate coverage across the city."
Transportation
- Excerpt: "As we embrace new Bostonians and the growth they bring to our neighborhoods, we must go beyond reliance on cars and make available an array of options – ferry, walking, cycling, and transit, so that they have a viable option to get out of their cars, easing traffic for those who do need to drive, and making the city safer and healthier for everyone who moves through it."
Recent news
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See also
| Boston, Massachusetts | Massachusetts | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
- Boston City Council
- Campaign website
- Social media
Footnotes
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