MEDFORD — Mayoral candidate Joe Viglione is vowing to bring a new approach to city government in his bid to unseat Mayor Stephanie M. Burke.
Burke, who is in the midst of her first term, was sworn into office in January 2016 as the city’s first newly elected female mayor in 28 years.
Viglione, who is challenging Burke, said the past year and a half under her leadership has been an extension of former Mayor Michael McGlynn’s “failed self-serving policies.
“Citizens of Medford need a new approach to city government — an approach that cares about you and your families, an approach that gets positive results for all the people of Medford, an approach that is one of vibrant, effective action, not rhetoric and lip service designed to distract,” Viglione said in a statement.
Viglione offered his steps to begin the new approach: Clean water; better education; charter review and charter change; a focus on traffic and improving public safety, including a removal of pay to park; and a complete overhaul of the police department starting with the removal of Police Chief Leo A. Sacco, Jr.; and qualified public servants with stronger oversight on the Medford Housing Authority, Chevalier Theater, sports teams, public access and other areas.