Radio Roundtable Tackles Trash Trouble and Campaign Costs in Worcester

By Hank Stolz

Photo- Radio Worcester

WORCESTER, MASS.- On this edition of the Radio Roundtable, the panel dives into the latest hot-button issues in Worcester politics and public policy, starting with the City Manager’s aggressive efforts to clean up trash around the city. While most residents support cleaner streets in theory—after all, as Hank Stolz points out, “no one is pro-litter”—the group questions how sustainable this clean-up effort will be after the current all-hands August push comes to an end.

Guillermo Creamer and “Big” Ben voice concerns about long-term strategy and follow-through. “What happens when this month ends?” asks Guillermo. “Is there a plan for September and beyond?” Ben adds that while the effort is commendable, it’s unclear whether the resources exist to make it more than just a seasonal burst.

Randy Feldman, however, offers a contrarian view: “Honestly, I don’t think the trash problem is nearly as bad as people say. It’s a city.” He argues that some level of urban grit is to be expected and that the discourse may be exaggerated.

From street-level trash to citywide elections, the Roundtable shifts gears to explore the realities of running for Worcester City Council. If you’re running for an At-Large seat and you’re not a household name, how much will it cost to compete?

The discussion breaks down:

• Ad buys and signage: How much visibility can you really buy?

• Name recognition vs. fundraising: Can you win on hard work alone?

• The importance of knocking on doors and standing out at standouts

• Strategic ambition: Are you content placing sixth, or do you have eyes on higher office?

And finally, a perennial Worcester politics question: How important is the west side vote, really?