Darren and Farah attend the Candidate Forum with their daughter, Ever
As your dedicated Ward 3 City Councilor and active 2023 candidate, I believe that utilizing forums hosted by nonprofits is a crucial step towards achieving transparency, visibility, and access in our local government. These platforms offer an inclusive space where citizens can engage in meaningful discussions about key issues, ensuring that their voices are not only heard but also integrated into the decision-making process. On August 30th, my wife and I participated in the Everett City Council Candidate Forum hosted by La Comunidad, Everett Community Growers, the Everett Haitian Community Center and the Brazilian Women’s Group.
By partnering with nonprofits to host these forums, we can foster an environment of openness and collaboration. This approach allows us to share information about upcoming projects, budget allocations, and policy changes, providing residents with a deeper understanding of the inner workings of our city government. Moreover, these forums create opportunities for residents to ask questions, seek clarifications, and provide valuable feedback, leading to more well-rounded and informed decision making.
Transparency isn’t just about sharing information—it’s about building trust. When residents see that their concerns are being acknowledged and addressed through these nonprofit-hosted forums, they are more likely to have confidence in our governance and be actively engaged in the community. This increased visibility also encourages a greater sense of civic responsibility, as residents become more invested in the success and growth of our city.
Accessibility is another key benefit of utilizing nonprofit forums. Not everyone can attend city council meetings in person due to various constraints, but these forums provide an avenue for participation regardless of one’s schedule or physical location. By breaking down barriers to engagement, we can ensure that a wider range of voices are represented in our decision-making processes.
In seeking reelection, I remain committed to enhancing our city’s democratic values by leveraging nonprofit forums to promote transparency, increase visibility, and provide accessible avenues for engagement. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive community that thrives on the active involvement of its residents.
I am thrilled and honored to share some remarkable news with you all today. Our journey to build a stronger, more inclusive Everett has reached an exciting milestone – I am proud to announce that our campaign for the Everett City Council has been officially endorsed by the prestigious Greater Boston Labor Council! 🌟
This endorsement holds significant meaning to me personally, as well as for our community. The Greater Boston Labor Council represents the dedicated workforce that fuels our city’s progress, and their trust in our vision reinforces our commitment to representing the interests of every resident, ensuring a brighter future for all.
As we embark on this campaign journey together, it is crucial to reflect on the values and principles that underpin our collective aspirations. We believe in unity, progress, and equity, and this endorsement is a testament to the fact that we are on the right path. Together, we can advocate for workers’ rights, fight for fair wages, and create new opportunities that empower families and individuals across Everett.
The hardworking men and women of the labor community form the backbone of our city’s success, and it is our solemn duty to ensure that their voices are heard, and their concerns are addressed. I am fully committed to collaborating with the Greater Boston Labor Council and other stakeholders to champion policies that prioritize workers’ well-being and create a thriving environment for businesses and residents alike.
This endorsement is not just about my campaign; it is about the collective power of unity and community-driven progress. It symbolizes our shared vision for Everett, where every citizen has the chance to prosper, where no one is left behind, and where diversity is celebrated as a source of strength.
As we move forward in this campaign, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the members and leaders of the Greater Boston Labor Council for their invaluable support. Together, we are a force to be reckoned with, and with your backing, we can achieve great things for Everett.
Let us continue to work together to build a stronger Everett. I promise to be a tireless advocate for the well-being of our residents, the prosperity of our businesses, and the preservation of our shared values.
I invite each one of you to be a part of this journey. Together, we can shape a brighter future for our beloved city. Please share this blog post with your friends, family, and fellow residents to spread the word about this momentous endorsement.
Thank you for your unwavering support and for believing in our vision. With the backing of the Greater Boston Labor Council and our united community, we are poised to make a lasting impact on Everett’s future.
Darren Costa is your independent voice at City Hall. On Tuesday November 7th remember the candidate that listens and works for everyone in the Community, not any special interests. Vote Darren Costa for Ward 3 Everett City Councilor.
Dear Ward Three Neighbor,
I am writing to announce my candidacy for re-election as your Ward Three City Councilor. Please allow me to tell you a few reasons why you will be interested in this topic. You may remember that I was suddenly called to office last June after the incumbent (and now my opponent) was forced to quit. I’ve learned so much since then and I’ve decided: We deserve better. The good news is that Everett has made a lot of progress during my first year in office. I’d like to share how this impacts you, what I’ve done so far, and ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 so I can continue to serve our community!
Zoning Protections Zoning ordinances sound boring, but they are critical because, when done correctly, they can protect our neighborhoods from overdevelopment, traffic congestion and parking shortages. Our current zoning ordinances are old, outdated and overlooked. These important issues have been ignored for decades, resulting in developers benefitting more than residents. Developers have been allowed to build in Everett at any cost, regardless of pollution, congestion and other negative effects. We deserve better. So, I’ve been working with the Planning Board to amend our zoning ordinances to better suit the needs of our community — now and in the future — and to require developers to deliver more benefits to our community. I have also organized stakeholders to create a Master Plan for Ward 3, including Glendale Square. I am an independent voice representing our residents and advocating for our health and safety.
Wynn Casino Expansion and Renegotiation Wynn is proposing an Encore Boston Harbor East of Broadway expansion. Unfortunately, Everett came up short in the first negotiation of the Host Agreement with Wynn. We deserve better. I would not approve expansion plans until we have an updated agreement that supports the interests of Everett’s residents much more thoroughly. I’ve pushed to negotiate a new Host Agreement. In our negotiations, we must consider the full scope of Wynn’s growth, including the future expansion of 50 more acres. For example, Wynn currently only has to pay Everett an annual escalator of 2.5%, a rate far less than the rate our property taxes increase each year. Wynn should be required to collaborate and pay more, generate more green space, create more open public/private areas, and put any new parking structures below ground. More of my ideas on this topic are published in the Everett Independent opinion section on June 7, 2023.
City Budget Stewardship, Allocation and Transparency The City’s operating budget is where all of our hard-earned tax dollars are allocated and spent. That money is meant to provide services to our citizens. Unfortunately, our budget approval process has lacked proper oversight and expertise for too long. We deserve better. As a business person and financial professional, I understand how to manage finances wisely — and in the open. In under a year, I’ve learned our City’s budget and will push for much-needed improvements. I’ve already increased transparency and accountability, and I am beginning the process of saving us money AND increasing services. (Meanwhile, legal fees are costing us all $1 million and counting…)
Let’s Talk I’d like to continue to work really hard for our community. I’ve been an active member of several committees and hold a perfect attendance record. Your vote keeps my independent voice on the Everett City Council, a voice that will push for your best interest, for our community’s best interest, not for some special interest group. I’m engaged in our community and I’d like to hear from you. I hold office hours every Tuesday morning at The Well Coffee House and Tuesday afternoons at City Hall. I often join Mystic Valley Elder Services at the Whittier Community Center on Friday mornings for coffee hour. Please reach out to me directly to schedule an appointment, in person or Zoom, with your availability. I’d love to meet you and I hope to have your vote on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. We deserve better — and we can get it! Thank you,
Darren Costa Ward 3 City Councilor and 2023 Candidate for Re-Election
Everett, MA Darren4Everett.com (617) 544-7089 Facebook and Instagram: @Darren4Everett
Wynn Palace located in the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (MSAR).
The Mass Gaming Commission (MGC) held a public hearing on April 25th in their Everett City Council Chambers to discuss the proposed Encore Casino East of Broadway expansion project. A major topic was whether to hold a vote for the expansion of the Encore Casino. Overall, I support a Wynn LLC expansion in Everett’s “Entertainment District” — under some critical conditions. Given the material increase in the Encore Casino’s gaming footprint and operations, including sports gaming, Everett and Wynn need to renegotiate the original Host Agreement.
I support Wynn because they have been a partner in cleaning toxic land, but there is more to be done.
Unfortunately, Everett came up short in the first negotiation of the Host Agreement with Wynn. I would not approve expansion until we have an updated agreement that supports the interests of Everett’s residents much more thoroughly. Until now, there has been minimal contact between Wynn and Everett’s City Council. In 2022, during a City Council meeting, Wynn acknowledged and committed to a negotiation, in good faith, that considers current economic conditions and beyond. We should be ready to bring great ideas forward during this process. Here are a few of mine.
Moving forward, Wynn should lead programs in collaboration with the City of Everett. Everett needs a well-considered and enforced strategy for solving our affordable housing crisis. Currently, Everett only receives a (small) community impact fee and frankly we don’t have the capacity to develop and manage the programs necessary to drive solutions alone. It is impractical to simply accept funding without internal infrastructure to spend it appropriately; we should require ongoing collaboration with Wynn to construct and deliver solutions.
For example, our schools and students would benefit from a more formal partnership with Wynn, complete with compliance, annual reporting and contractual obligation, beyond what’s offered today. They could deliver broader career development opportunities for students, offer Wynn-sponsored programming on-site at schools, and promote student-led civic enhancements.
Have you noticed that Everett has the fewest green spaces and trees in the greater Boston area, which makes suffering from increasing air pollution and heat much worse for our residents (called urban heat island effect)? I have. Poorly-considered expansion will only make this issue worse. That is why I do not support the proposal for three new parking garages to be built above-ground; Wynn can and should install underground parking instead, clearing the area for parks and trees above. We also have the opportunity to require additional green initiatives such as community solar on their extensive rooftop space to reduce the burden on our community’s energy grid.
As a densely populated gateway city, Everett desperately needs more public green space where families can gather and enjoy the outdoors. Wynn’s current proposed plans include minimal open air space and public accessibility to community space. The current renderings of the entrance to the overhead pedestrian bridge appear closed off. It would require a resident to enter the building to cross Broadway. Instead, we could have open and inviting outdoor access to the overhead walking path over Broadway. This public walkway should be clear and welcoming to our residents, similar to the TD Banknorth Garden’s integrated entrance with the MBTA.
On April 11th, I attended the Encore East of Broadway open house at the Encore Casino. It was a wonderful event, however very few Everett residents attended. Everett should require increased community engagement in the city at large, such as sponsoring and participating in events for residents, such as 4th of July, Easter, Halloween, etc. Everett’s Recreation Center draws hundreds of residents and students.
Everett also needs Wynn’s cooperation on transportation. Wynn shuttle service should be expanded, with more routes and more frequent services to connect commuters to local rail stops where the MBTA falls short. The Wynn water taxi to Long Wharf should expand its service and better promote it as a commuting option from Everett into Boston. Everett has a deteriorating overpass in Sweetser circle that should be repaired. We also lack any vision or plan for building MBTA tracks in our city, while MBTA tracks run behind the Encore Boston Harbor Casino.
But is it greedy or inappropriate for us to ask for these things? As a business person and financial professional by day, I don’t think so. Let’s look at the numbers. Encore Boston Harbor paid Everett ~$22 million for Fiscal Year 2023 as a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and a Community Impact Fee of ~$5 million for public safety, other municipal services and the offset of negative impacts to a community due to gambling and drinking per the current negotiated agreement. Consider that Wynn sold the Encore Boston Harbor property for $1.7 billion, which would have generated $42 million in normal property taxes. Also consider the property’s current property assessment is $1.3 billion, which would have generated $32 million in normal property taxes. Everett collected only ~$27 million when we could have received $32-$42 million — a difference of up to $15 million per year! In addition, both the PILOT and Community Impact Fee grow annually at only 2.5%, which is far below inflation. In 2022, Wynn generated over $750 million in revenue and expects that to grow with the legalization of sports gambling, so rest assured they can afford to integrate these common-sense requests for our city.
Given the material increase in the Encore Casino’s gaming footprint and operations, including sports gaming, Everett and Wynn need to renegotiate the original Host Agreement. The Host Agreement, in section 1B items 1 & 2, requires an open negotiation of the Host Community agreement between the City of Everett and Wynn in aggregate, not in pieces.
In summary, I truly believe that Wynn is a beneficial member of our community. I will be encouraged when I hear more details regarding the negotiations of the original Host Agreement, as promised. We need to make our city and its residents a higher priority in this discussion, which is certainly possible. I believe we can continue to be proud to have Wynn as a partner while we work together to develop and support our city wisely — and Wynn can continue to be proud to be a big part of an ever-improving Everett.
Darren Costa, Everett City Councilor 