By Chris Cassidy
SALEM — They are neighbors who live on opposite ends of the same street, but Jean Pelletier and Neil Yetts never met until last month — as both were campaigning against each other for a seat on the City Council.
"I didn't know him from a hole in the head," Pelletier said.
"It's funny," Yetts said, "but it's not an issue."
Both Lawrence Street residents will be on the November ballot for Ward 3 city councilor, a title Pelletier has held for the last six years. Yetts, a political newcomer, said he's been out on the street meeting with residents and holding signs — at times in the pouring rain — to get his name out.
If the turnout at last month's preliminary election is any indication, however, neither candidate seems to have inspired many voters. Only 163 people — less than 5 percent of registered voters in Ward 3 — showed up to the polls.
Does that make the three-term incumbent vulnerable this time around?
"A lot of people didn't know or forgot about the election," Pelletier said. "I'm not really concerned. If I do my due diligence and make the calls and talk with people, I should do OK."
Ward 3 is home to one of the city's hot topics, the Salem Mission's proposed redevelopment of the former St. Mary's Italian Church.
Pelletier points to his work as chairman of the newly formed Salem Mission Neighborhood Advisory Committee, a group of city councilors, a shelter official, a neighbor and a representative from the mayor's office, designed to improve communication.
"The council wants to work with (the Mission)," Pelletier said. "There have been a lot of broken promises, and we're just trying to see what we can do to make the quality of life better."
Yetts also accused the Mission of breaking a promise to neighbors to preserve the church. Among other ideas, he proposes installing camera surveillance near the Mission to address safety concerns.
"There are Level 3 sex offenders who are sheltered in the Mission, and that is an issue," Yetts said. "There's a playground down the street on High Street, and parents are concerned about that."
Pelletier said his experience on the City Council is an asset to residents.
"I know the system," Pelletier said. "I know all the department heads on a first-name basis. I've created the first citywide flood committee, initiated storm drain cleanup and the South River drainage study."
Yetts, meanwhile, pledged to be a visible presence in the community and meet regularly with residents and groups.
"That's one thing I've encountered — they want more communication," Yetts said.
The winner will lead a ward that stretches from City Hall to the Swampscott line and includes three schools, a hospital, a Highland Avenue shopping center and pieces of the downtown.
"I don't think there's another ward as busy as mine," Pelletier said.
Jean Pelletier
Age: 49
Address: 7 Lawrence St.
Occupation: City councilor (disabled former welder/metal fabricator)
Education: Salem High School, 1978
Previous elected experience: City Council since 2003
How would you grade the mayor's job performance?
B+. "I think she's done very well with finances. ... It's tough to make cuts with employees and salary freezes."
If elected, would you accept the city's health insurance plan?
Yes.
On the issues:
* Would favor selling the Broad Street senior center to pay for a new one.
* Promises to "continue to fight against unreasonable developments that will negatively affect residents."
* Wants the city to take over the district court building for its City Hall Annex after the courthouse project is finished.
Neil Yetts
Age: 45
Address: 69 Lawrence St.
Occupation: Newsletter producer for Cheapflights.com
Education: Bachelor's degree, political science, from Salem State College
Previous elected experience: None
How would you grade the mayor's job performance?
B+. "Overall, I really appreciate what the mayor has done in terms of making a balanced budget and dealing with a tough situation with the schools."
If elected, would you accept the city's health insurance plan?
No.
On the issues:
* Prefers a new senior center at Salem Willows over a site at Boston and Bridge streets.
* Wants the City Council to address anticipated traffic problems from the proposed MBTA garage.
* Would like a more open dialogue with the Salem Mission on how it admits clients for housing and how it expels someone from the shelter.
