ABOUT MY CAMPAIGN
Hello, I'm Celeste Ribeiro Hewitt
MY BACKGROUND
For over 40 years I have engaged in volunteerism, community and political advocacy. Service to others is the cornerstone of everything I do and has been from a very young age. From baby sitting at Crossroads Women's shelter and volunteering with elder veterans at Chelsea Soldiers' Home, to developing community events and initiatives like Sacred Heart Festival and the East Boston Columbus Day Parade or fending off Caesar's Palace and Mohegan Sun's plans to negatively impact our region to enrichen themselves, by leading No Eastie Casino referendum campaign to victory, community service has been a cornerstone of my life.
Currently I work full time in project management in compliance engaging with state and municipal agencies in both the public and private domain. I also lead a business district advocacy initiative while serving on Boston Harbor based "Harborkeepers" as Co-Chair and on Winthrop's Citizens Commission on Climate and the Commission for Diversity Inclusion and Community Relations.
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
The future I envision for the Town of Winthrop is a resilient and collaborative one. It includes getting beyond partisan politics to ensure that all of Winthrop is seen, heard and represented. In our future, Winthrop is fortified by setting expectations and the rules of engagement with our town - particularly with those entities that rely on us for their efficacy and success.
My Key Issues
Preparation and Resilience
Winthrop is facing $80,000,000 in anticipated costs to address existing infrastructure and pending climate concerns.
As a member of Winthrop's Citizens Advisory Commission on Climate, we have named the top nine impacted "Hot Spots", have begun to identify solutions and seek resources to address these concerns.
Winthrop needs to address the realities of our geography as a coastal community. In order to be optimally positioned - we need to build coalitions to problem solve around climate impacts and we must be able to avail ourselves of funds earmarked by the state for these needs.
Economic Strategy
Winthrop is a wonderful community that rallies to ensure that the needs of its residents and those that look after them are tended to. While initiatives like the Fire Station and 2 1/2 override for the schools was much needed and received my wholehearted support, Winthrop needs new ideas to fund our needs.
We need new and more revenue streams that do not consist of continuously and primarily relying on property taxes and additional contributions.
We must support our local businesses, maximize partnerships with local entities like MWRA and MassPort to garner infrastructure support we need and make sure that others from outside of town know that we are open for business and that they can spend their recreation, tourism and discretionary funds here!
Transportation
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Winthrop is a small, working class community - that is always on the go. In order to keep Winthrop moving we need truly effective and safe multi modal transit opportunities.
This means - streets that are maintained in good repair, more and more effective public transit options, walkable streets and alternatives to carbon based modes that do not pose a hazard to those who choose it over traditional travel.
Winthrop has a gorgeous coastline and enhancing accessibility for a safer way to utilize alternative transit options should be a priority for quality of life, to organically decrease carbon based transit and to enhance our tourist based economy and experiences.
Additionally, I cannot underscore enough how we need to forge and maximize engagement with the MBTA and DOT who have a responsibility to ensure that Winthrop is well served.
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