Two vie for Housing Authority post

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April 26, 2007

By Amanda McGregor , Staff writer The Salem News Thu Apr 26, 2007, 12:50 PM EDT

DANVERS - Andrea Daley and Mark Webber will face off for one open seat on the Danvers Housing Authority board in Tuesday's town elections.

The five-member board oversees 265 apartments in town and 145 Section 8 housing vouchers, all for residents with low to moderate incomes, including families, disabled people and the elderly, according to Cynthia Dunn, executive director of the Housing Authority.

Dunn said roofing and repaving around the complexes will be a priority in the near future, since most of the housing stock is more than 25 years old.

Daley and Webber are running for a five-year term. Outgoing treasurer John Devarenne is not seeking re-election after more than 15 years on the board, according to Dunn. The other elected members are chairwoman Janice Brown, vice chairwoman Elizabeth Almeida and vice treasurer Carla King. The board also includes one member, Joan St. Pierre, appointed by the governor.

"I think the challenge for the Housing Authority is just to either change or improve the perception of what Housing Authority property is," Dunn said. "Most of the families are working families, and of course the elderly people predominantly work their entire lives and live on Social Security and pensions."

Andrea Daley

Age: 67

Address: 36 North Shore Ave.

Occupation: Retired teacher, taught 39 years in the Danvers schools

Family: Husband, Mike, and two grown children, Michael Daley Jr. and Douglas Daley.

Experience: Town Meeting member for 22 years (nonconsecutive terms); Zoning Board of Appeals for 17 years

Why are you running for Housing Authority?

I thought about it before, but I was just so involved.

Biggest issue?

It's extremely difficult for people - young people in particular - to find property and bring up their families. It's extremely unbalanced to have a place without the diversity of economic backgrounds. Unfortunately, people of moderate - not even low - income are getting squeezed out.

Why should voters choose you?

I'm a believable type of person. I'm not stylish, but people listen to me when I talk and I get the facts first.

Motto?

My father used to say, 'If you rest, you rot.'

Mark Webber

Age: 40

Address: 57 Sylvan St., 4C

Occupation: Probation officer at Essex County Juvenile Court in Salem

Why are you running for Housing Authority?

"My prior job was with the DSS (Department of Social Services) and I currently work with families and kids. There are a lot of families and elderly people who really need someone to have a strong voice for them."

Biggest issue?

"I want to keep up the standard of housing and just make sure people get what they need."

Why should voters choose you?

"Housing gets federal and state funding. The board is here to get the most for that money, and I'd really like to be a part of that."

Motto?

"I'm a humor type of guy. I always think humor helps in a lot of situations."

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