It has long been Bill Baro's dream to run for Somerville mayor. A lifelong resident and Vietnam War veteran, Baro served his country in battle and says he is ready to enter politics to serve his city.
But the 50-year-old working-class family man is not your average politician. Baro has campaigned door-to-door throughout Somerville to earn votes in Tuesday's election to emphasize a desire to be on the same level as his constituents.
Baro registered to run in the mayoral election last May after the city ousted his Vietnam Era Veterans Post #1 group from its office at 50 Bow Street in Union Square because of structural problems in the building. Baro, the group's founder, was one of several veterans who were not satisfied with the city's handling of the situation.
"I am not happy with the way the city is run," Baro said. "I feel I can get it back on track."
In another jab at Kelly Gay, Baro points out that city policemen and firemen are working without contracts. "They deserve to be entitled to benefits, especially in light of their importance during the Sept.11 attacks," he said. If elected, the challenger says he will work with unions to draft contracts for the Somerville servicemen.
Baro is also concerned about the declining state of the economy but says a turn-around is on its way. To help herald an economic recovery, Somerville should welcome an influx of business enterprise, he said, which would generate a tax base comparable to that of neighboring Cambridge.
Another issue Baro says needs to be dealt with is the plight of Somerville's senior citizens. "Senior citizens are not given the respect they deserve," he said. "They are the backbone of this city and their voices must be heard."
Baro plans to help senior citizens secure affordable housing and medical coverage. "It is very tough for senior citizens to get all the prescriptions they need," he said.
In addition to older residents, Baro says his policies will help the children of Somerville. He pointed to the city's 6.6 percent dropout rate, saying it should be decreased to the Massachusetts state average of 3.5 percent.
One way he plans to accomplish this goal is through the help of Tufts students. "Tufts is an excellent institution and I feel that they are a good asset to this community," he said, recalling the "Kid's Day" event where children are invited to the Medford/Somerville campus to interact with college students.
To increase interactions between students and the local youth, Baro proposes a plan in which Tufts students would tutor local children one-on-one - primarily in preparation for the state-wide exam that all Massachusetts schoolchildren must past. "Tufts students are moving in the right direction to become our nation's future leaders," Baro said. "Perhaps they can prepare Somerville students for the future as well."
Aiding Baro in his efforts to improve education in Somerville is Grace Healey, a former district technical coordinator for the Somerville public schools system. Healey, 54, was originally a candidate in the mayoral race but was eliminated in the preliminary election on Sept. 25. Healey now supports Baro's campaign by offering assistance and advice to the mayoral candidate and his committee.
"I have a great association with Grace Healey," Baro said. "She is very smart." Healey's father and Baro's father were best friends years ago. Though their progeny have not been that close, the connection offers warmth in their new affiliation.
Both Baro and Healey have emphasized a grass-roots, "shoe leather" campaign. "Money doesn't buy votes," Baro said, referring to the large disparity in campaign spending between Baro and incumbent Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay. To date, Kelly Gay has spent nearly $92,000 on the campaign. Baro has spent $5,000.
Critics have asked Baro how he can win without a significant campaign war chest, but he say he is not concerned. "I'm going to buy a new pair of shoes and talk to people," he said.
Baro has challenged Kelly Gay, 57, to a debate sponsored and moderated by the Somerville Journal, the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, and Somerville Community Access Television. She has declined the offer, however, saying she would rather focus on her quotidian duties as mayor. Baro has also been frustrated by Kelly Gay's absences at citywide forums.
Baro wants to continue his record of public service to his country and to his city, of which he has been a resident for over a half a century. While serving as mayor would indicate his position as a public official, he desires to be a representative for Somerville residents more than anything.
"I want to be a caretaker, not the big king," he said.
