Fiola Five Point Action Plan

July 24, 2013

This plan represents issues of importance that have been identified by people that I have met along the way on the campaign trail.  As a result of these discussions and meetings, the FIOLA FIVE POINT ACTION PLAN is focused on the issues of Jobs, Education, Public Safety, the Environment and Quality of Life and is designed to stimulate public input, discussion and action.  The Plan is a document that will continue to evolve and represent feedback from the public and community stakeholders as the issues are further hashed out and resolved and new ideas are incorporated.

Jobs

  • Monitor the Fastest Growing segments of our Local Economy and Work With State entities to develop Marketing and Incentive programs to facilitate that growth

  • Focus business growth within properly commercially zoned areas as well as the Fall River Industrial Park, Commerce Park, Life Science and Technology Park and Riverfront Business Park in Freetown

  • Expand Gateway Cities state tax business incentives to encourage further business growth and diversification of the industrial base in Fall River

  • Work with the City, Neighborhood Groups and Hess to properly develop Hess Waterfront site for job creation and public accessibility purposes

  • Improve Transportation to and from Boston through commuter rail or other transportation improvement initiatives

 

Education

  • Work with Fall River and Freetown School Departments to Identify Ways to Reduce Elementary Class Sizes and Increase Graduation Rates in our public schools

  • Strengthen Partnerships between Bristol Community College, UMass Dartmouth and area High Schools to Increase the number of High School Students to access College Course Credits

  • Support Ways to increase Work Force Training/Retraining efforts

  • Work to Secure Additional State Funding for Bristol Community College

  • Initiate a State Funded Capital Repair program for Public High Schools in Gateway Cities and other public schools throughout the District

 

Public Safety

  • Work with City and Freetown to identify Proper Staffing levels of our Police and Fire Departments

  • Sponsor Legislation to provide Cities and Towns access to Low Interest Loan funds to Purchase updated Public Safety Equipment and Information Technology

  • Work with District Attorney’s Office and Local Police to Sponsor Legislation to Strengthen Bail Revocation Guidelines and Existing Sentencing Guidelines for Repeat Offenders of Violent and/or Gang Related Crimes

  • Work with Local Law Enforcement Agencies, Community Organizations and City and Town Officials to better understand the depth of this regions drug activity and its impact on crime and violence and develop programs to curtail such activities

  • Work with the Chief Justice of the Trial Court and District Attorney’s Office to explore feasibility of Night Court hours for Traffic Offenses and a Night Court to quicken the pace of justice for those charged with violent and/or drug related crimes

 

Environment

  • Work to Toward Closing the Landfill and Work with Republic To Explore Renewable Energy Uses

  • Sponsor Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Forums To Educate Public as to the Benefits of Residential Solar Programs

  • Reduce the Carbon Footprint Through the Creation of Tax Credits  designed to Preserve Open Space and Reforestation

  • Continue to Support Renewable Energy State Tax Credit Programs

  • Work with Trustees of Reservations to Better Market the Southeastern Massachusetts Bio-Reserve for Education and Eco-tourism Uses

 

Quality of Life

  • Re-purpose and explore private sector funding for the Heritage State Park Visitor Center to create Increased Awareness of the areas Tourist Attractions and work to Improve Public Access to the Waterfront

  • Improve the Image of the City By Working with MassDOT to establish Regularly Scheduled Grass-cutting and cleanup along Entrance/Exit ramps

  • Secure the Release of Funding for the Quequechan River Rail Trail and for Public Biking and Walking

  • Work to Expand the funding of State Tax Credits for the Creation of Market Rate Housing in Gateway Cities to attract Young Professionals and empty nesters to the area

  • Meet with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to identify and correct policies that are directing homeless families to Gateway cities that already have exceeded the mandated 10% threshold of its housing stock dedicated for low income housing.

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