Together, we will keep Salem moving in the right direction. That means supporting the police and first responders who keep our streets safe; fully funding our public schools so every student is prepared for college or a career in the skilled trades; and expanding services for seniors. It also means embracing long-term solutions to rising housing costs so the next generation of residents, especially essential workers like teachers and nurses, can afford to raise their own children here in Salem.
When I talk to my neighbors and city leaders, these are the issues I hear about time and time again.
Let's keep Salem moving forward.
Communication and transparency
Emmylou believes the most important role of a Ward Councillor is being accessible to constituents and transparent about what's happening in Salem and Ward 4. She wants to be the first call when Ward 4 residents need help, whether it’s making sure the trash gets picked up, repairing a side walk, or dealing with the red tape to start a small business.
Infrastructure improvements
In addition to investing in sidewalk and road maintenance, Emmylou supports specific changes that will make Salem’s streets safer for pedestrians and drivers alike. Proctor Street and Marlborough Road are cut-throughs, while Boston Street and the Marlborough Road/Highland Ave intersection are crash prone areas. These dangerous areas should have traffic calming measures similar to Chestnut Street or Columbus Ave.
Emmylou also supports expanding public transit, which is especially important for senior citizens and other residents who don’t operate a motor vehicle. More public transit will also improve traffic by helping residents commute to downtown without a car.
Excellent public schools
Every child in Salem deserves a public education that prepares them for college or a well‑paying career in the skilled trades. Emmylou knows this firsthand—she credits her full academic scholarship for university to the outstanding education she received at Olympus High School.
As your City Councillor, Emmylou will partner with the Salem School Committee to secure the funding, training, and support our teachers need. She believes in empowering educators by reducing bureaucracy and giving them the autonomy to serve the students they know best.
Emmylou also supports increasing opportunities for students to explore the skilled trades. These fields face significant labor shortages and offer debt‑free, high‑earning careers. She will work to establish summer apprenticeships in collaboration with labor unions and local businesses.
Housing affordability
Home prices in Salem have skyrocketed, putting homeownership out of reach for many workers and young families. As renters themselves, Emmylou and her fiancé understand how challenging it can be to buy a home—even with two incomes. She supports expanding both single‑ and multi‑family housing so that hardworking teachers, police officers, and firefighters can raise their families in the community they serve.
Supporting small businesses
Small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy and are crucial to Salem’s vitality. We are lucky to live in a city where so many great restaurants, shops, and breweries are only a few minutes away.
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On the City Council, Emmylou will support small businesses by encouraging community events, markets, and partnerships that connect local businesses with residents and visitors alike. She will also be a resource for anyone who wants to start a business, helping them navigate the permitting and paperwork so they can open their doors here in Salem.
Fixing dangerous school bus crossings
Two of Salem’s five most dangerous bus stops are in Ward 4—and that has to change. Every child deserves to feel safe getting on and off their school bus and every parent deserves peace of mind.
Emmylou fully supports the recent installation of “stop‑arm” cameras to catch and fine drivers who ignore school‑bus safety rules. She also believes the Salem Police Department should maintain a strong presence around school zones to deter speeding.
Public safety
Emmylou will stand behind the first responders who keep our city safe. Salem’s crime rate is near record lows and it is the safest city on the North Shore. It’s crucial to continue that progress.
She believes our Police and Fire Departments deserve top‑tier training and the most modern equipment. With the possibility of cuts to federal grants, Salem needs to develop a plan that protects these critical resources for our first responders.
Beyond equipment and funding, Emmylou will partner with community leaders and local nonprofits to address root causes of crime—like mental illness and substance abuse—and integrate these support services with our first responders to keep Salem safe.
Supporting Salem's seniors
Seniors deserve our support to remain in the community where they grew up, worked, and raised their families. The impact of rising home prices on property taxes is extremely difficult for people on fixed incomes, which is why Emmylou supports expanding local programs for seniors to receive property tax abatements. She also supports expanding senior services, both at the Community Life Center and within Salem’s public transit.
