ABOUT Jeff
In 2021, I stressed that was not running to be important and my approach has and will continue to be to listen and learn and make decisions with the lens of equity and access. Today, I’m announcing my campaign for re-election as Salem’s Ward 5 City Councillor.
My focus is on constituent services and it’s not enough to hear resident & business concerns and I hope all know they can reach out to me and I’ll do my best to resolve issues. Am available to meet with residents and businesses most days/times where you are, where there’s a concern, by phone, text or email. I view my job as a Councillor to serve all in the Ward. I judge myself by my friends and have many in the Ward, but I hope to meet all the neighbors I’m not yet friends with.
Salem is a great City and Ward 5 is diverse as any ward and that enriches us all and I don’t judge others by how long they’ve lived here or what their politics are. However, we need to address the crises that we endure and will be exacerbated if we don’t act boldly, especially housing and climate.
As a member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board, I’ve teamed with others to develop a condo conversion regulation ordinance (waiting for our home rule petition to be approved by the Legislature), ready an inclusionary zoning ordinance and we’ve prioritized a rental registry as our rental stock is diminishing rapidly. The working group I’m on has proposed a criteria process and application to spend the $1M allocated to us from ARPA funding.
Although we passed a green building ordinance for municipal properties, we need to update the codes for all other properties as ~50% of greenhouse gas emissions in Salem are from our built environment. We’ll be considering a flood resiliency ordinance that will help with adaptation combined with the enhanced wetlands ordinance passed in 2022. The home rule petition I submitted to Council that would enable us to be considered in the 10 community pilot program that allows communities to write ordinances preventing future fossil fuel installations is also waiting for Legislative approval. There is a bill before the Legislature to allow larger communities and Environmental Justice ones, such as Salem, to proceed and I’ll be working with others to craft an ordinance appropriate for Salem. We are already experiencing the effects of the changing climate and vulnerable, so important we do all we can locally. I’ve also been working with Councillor Varela on projects such as Styrofoam and composting and we’re trying to change the paradigm that exists today; currently we pay to remove trash and we need to have a sustainable model where we can reduce costs and even generate revenue – all the while making Salem greener.
I’ve been working with Councillor McClain on a wage theft ordinance and we’ve already met with many in advance of submitting to Council soon. Wage theft has been a problem forever, but has been more prevalent during the last few years and those victimized are typically invisible and very vulnerable. The ordinance will make sure that any company that wants tax benefit or to do business with the City has not violated state laws and will provide anonymous reporting so that City staff can escalate violations to the AG’s office. Contractors and companies that play by the rules are also being adversely affected by wage theft and this will level the playing field.
It's about listening and learning from all residents, hard work & teamwork and standing up for those that need it most and making sure we’re not just neighbors, but friends. As Robert Kennedy said, “Some men see things as they are and ask why…I dream of things that never were and ask why not.”
As in 2021, my campaign will be a grassroots one and welcome all to participate. If you’ve like to join the campaign, please contact me at 978-587-1443 or [email protected]. Thank you for considering supporting my reelection campaign for Salem Ward 5 Councillor. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jeffcohenforsalemward5councillor
My focus is on constituent services and it’s not enough to hear resident & business concerns and I hope all know they can reach out to me and I’ll do my best to resolve issues. Am available to meet with residents and businesses most days/times where you are, where there’s a concern, by phone, text or email. I view my job as a Councillor to serve all in the Ward. I judge myself by my friends and have many in the Ward, but I hope to meet all the neighbors I’m not yet friends with.
Salem is a great City and Ward 5 is diverse as any ward and that enriches us all and I don’t judge others by how long they’ve lived here or what their politics are. However, we need to address the crises that we endure and will be exacerbated if we don’t act boldly, especially housing and climate.
As a member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board, I’ve teamed with others to develop a condo conversion regulation ordinance (waiting for our home rule petition to be approved by the Legislature), ready an inclusionary zoning ordinance and we’ve prioritized a rental registry as our rental stock is diminishing rapidly. The working group I’m on has proposed a criteria process and application to spend the $1M allocated to us from ARPA funding.
Although we passed a green building ordinance for municipal properties, we need to update the codes for all other properties as ~50% of greenhouse gas emissions in Salem are from our built environment. We’ll be considering a flood resiliency ordinance that will help with adaptation combined with the enhanced wetlands ordinance passed in 2022. The home rule petition I submitted to Council that would enable us to be considered in the 10 community pilot program that allows communities to write ordinances preventing future fossil fuel installations is also waiting for Legislative approval. There is a bill before the Legislature to allow larger communities and Environmental Justice ones, such as Salem, to proceed and I’ll be working with others to craft an ordinance appropriate for Salem. We are already experiencing the effects of the changing climate and vulnerable, so important we do all we can locally. I’ve also been working with Councillor Varela on projects such as Styrofoam and composting and we’re trying to change the paradigm that exists today; currently we pay to remove trash and we need to have a sustainable model where we can reduce costs and even generate revenue – all the while making Salem greener.
I’ve been working with Councillor McClain on a wage theft ordinance and we’ve already met with many in advance of submitting to Council soon. Wage theft has been a problem forever, but has been more prevalent during the last few years and those victimized are typically invisible and very vulnerable. The ordinance will make sure that any company that wants tax benefit or to do business with the City has not violated state laws and will provide anonymous reporting so that City staff can escalate violations to the AG’s office. Contractors and companies that play by the rules are also being adversely affected by wage theft and this will level the playing field.
It's about listening and learning from all residents, hard work & teamwork and standing up for those that need it most and making sure we’re not just neighbors, but friends. As Robert Kennedy said, “Some men see things as they are and ask why…I dream of things that never were and ask why not.”
As in 2021, my campaign will be a grassroots one and welcome all to participate. If you’ve like to join the campaign, please contact me at 978-587-1443 or [email protected]. Thank you for considering supporting my reelection campaign for Salem Ward 5 Councillor. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jeffcohenforsalemward5councillor
I’m humbled and grateful that the voters of Salem’s Ward 5 elected me to be Councillor, thank you.
Ever since I met my wife Flora and moved to Salem 14 years ago to be with her and near my mom, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. We love to walk to the waterfront, enjoy world class food, constantly learn more about its history and appreciate how diversity has made our community vibrant and welcoming. Flora raised her daughters here and turned her historic home into Northey Street House B&B, is a successful small business women, leads the Bridge Street Neck Historic District neighborhood association and is always thinking of how to give back to Salem.
While renting an apartment on Gardner St, I was blessed to make my first friends here at the Salem Y and developed a friendship with Sam Zoll, who I had met decades ago when he & my mom interacted and his daughter did Aliyah to Israel when my sister did. Sam was more than a friend, he was a mentor and I was determined to do something that was part of his nature, treating everyone the same. When I told him that I was considering purchasing 12 Hancock St, he immediately said, “you need to buy it, karma.” He spent lots of time here with the previous owners (Wolf & Winny), who had passed prior to the sale and told me they were Holocaust survivors and some of what he knew about the house. One of my nephew’s middle names is also Wolf, named after a relative who, unfortunately, didn’t survive the Holocaust. That Flora & my mom loved the potential (basically purchased as is), sealed the deal.
As you know, I ran for Councillor At Large twice (unsuccessfully) and yet I believe one of my strengths is problem solving. In the 70’s, I was an intern for a couple of years for Mike Harrington, working at the HQ at Salem Post Office and I learned early on about how important constituent services are. Having been Salem’s 1st recycling coordinator (2013-2015) and solar coach (2014), I worked in the Engineering Department and know who to work with, whether DPS, Mayor’s office, legal, etc. to address issues and get things done. During this time, I got to know Councillor Joe O’Keefe very well as he called or met with me daily whenever there was an issue he thought I could resolve. He also became Council Liaison to the No Place for Hate Committee and I’m grateful for our friendship and his focus on family and his constituents, who were his extended family.
Having left my job at Endless Energy 12/31/ 2021, I have, like Joe, transitioned to Councillor as my gig. Here’s my commitment: I’ll have office hours at rotating sites in the Ward 4x during the day M-F, 3 times in the eve M-TH and at least once over the weekend and will be available anytime for anything urgent.
In 2022, I am serving on the Council committees on Ordinances, Licenses & Legal Affairs (OLLA), Public Health, Safety & Environment and Government Services. I am one of 3 Councillors on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and am liaison to the Planning Board, SERC (Sustainability, Energy & Resiliency Committee) and the Pioneer Village Advisory Committee.
I judge myself by my friends and have many in the Ward, but I will continue to reach out to all the neighbors I’m not yet friends with and hear your concerns during my term as Councillor.
It's about listening and learning from all residents, hard work & teamwork and standing up for those that need it most and making sure we’re not just neighbors, but friends. As Robert Kennedy said, “Some men see things as they are and ask why…I dream of things that never were and ask why not.”
Ever since I met my wife Flora and moved to Salem 14 years ago to be with her and near my mom, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. We love to walk to the waterfront, enjoy world class food, constantly learn more about its history and appreciate how diversity has made our community vibrant and welcoming. Flora raised her daughters here and turned her historic home into Northey Street House B&B, is a successful small business women, leads the Bridge Street Neck Historic District neighborhood association and is always thinking of how to give back to Salem.
While renting an apartment on Gardner St, I was blessed to make my first friends here at the Salem Y and developed a friendship with Sam Zoll, who I had met decades ago when he & my mom interacted and his daughter did Aliyah to Israel when my sister did. Sam was more than a friend, he was a mentor and I was determined to do something that was part of his nature, treating everyone the same. When I told him that I was considering purchasing 12 Hancock St, he immediately said, “you need to buy it, karma.” He spent lots of time here with the previous owners (Wolf & Winny), who had passed prior to the sale and told me they were Holocaust survivors and some of what he knew about the house. One of my nephew’s middle names is also Wolf, named after a relative who, unfortunately, didn’t survive the Holocaust. That Flora & my mom loved the potential (basically purchased as is), sealed the deal.
As you know, I ran for Councillor At Large twice (unsuccessfully) and yet I believe one of my strengths is problem solving. In the 70’s, I was an intern for a couple of years for Mike Harrington, working at the HQ at Salem Post Office and I learned early on about how important constituent services are. Having been Salem’s 1st recycling coordinator (2013-2015) and solar coach (2014), I worked in the Engineering Department and know who to work with, whether DPS, Mayor’s office, legal, etc. to address issues and get things done. During this time, I got to know Councillor Joe O’Keefe very well as he called or met with me daily whenever there was an issue he thought I could resolve. He also became Council Liaison to the No Place for Hate Committee and I’m grateful for our friendship and his focus on family and his constituents, who were his extended family.
Having left my job at Endless Energy 12/31/ 2021, I have, like Joe, transitioned to Councillor as my gig. Here’s my commitment: I’ll have office hours at rotating sites in the Ward 4x during the day M-F, 3 times in the eve M-TH and at least once over the weekend and will be available anytime for anything urgent.
In 2022, I am serving on the Council committees on Ordinances, Licenses & Legal Affairs (OLLA), Public Health, Safety & Environment and Government Services. I am one of 3 Councillors on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and am liaison to the Planning Board, SERC (Sustainability, Energy & Resiliency Committee) and the Pioneer Village Advisory Committee.
I judge myself by my friends and have many in the Ward, but I will continue to reach out to all the neighbors I’m not yet friends with and hear your concerns during my term as Councillor.
It's about listening and learning from all residents, hard work & teamwork and standing up for those that need it most and making sure we’re not just neighbors, but friends. As Robert Kennedy said, “Some men see things as they are and ask why…I dream of things that never were and ask why not.”
Getting it done, everyday.
"Jeff Cohen is an amazing combination of competence and integrity. Kay and I have been saving a ton of money on electricity for the past several years because Jeff, who we did not know at the time, convinced us to look into solar panels, helped us to choose the plan most advantageous to us (as opposed to the company), helped us select a superb installer and has stayed in touch to field any questions and resolve any confusions. Salem has a much better trash pickup system because Jeff had a hand in it. Salemites who choose to can compost because Jeff made it possible. You may disagree with Jeff on an issue, but you can be sure that he will always treat you with respect. In short, Jeff is a person who gets things done for other people. He will be a hugely positive addition to the Salem City Council."
--Brendan & Kay Walsh