Post-Event News Release
October 1,2025
Event Summary
On Monday, September 29, 2025, over 120 residents joined the Malden City Councilor At-Large Candidate Forum, with 60 in-person participants at Malden City Hall and 61 tuning in online. The event was livestreamed on YouTube with technical support from Urban Media Arts (UMA), ensuring broad community access to this important civic dialogue.
Candidate Participation and Dialogue
Six out of five candidates for Malden’s three at-large city council seats—Karen Colon Hayes, Solomon Davidoff, Michelle A. Luong, Carey McDonald, and Craig Spadafora—took part in the panel. Guided by moderator Bridgit Brown, a seasoned writer, strategist, and cultural leader, candidates responded to a structured series of questions on key issues such as:
- Housing and Rent Stabilization – addressing rising costs and displacement
- Economic Development – strategies for attracting and supporting local businesses
- Civic Engagement – ensuring respectful, transparent communication within city government
- City Budget Priorities – balancing schools, infrastructure, and public safety needs
- Community Concerns – including the future of Malden’s Teen Center and revitalization of the Malden River
A lightning round and open-audience Q&A allowed residents’ questions—submitted both in advance and during the event—to be directly addressed by candidates.
Youth Leadership and Civic Education
A highlight of the evening was the active participation of Malden’s youth. Thomas Conti, one of Chinese Culture Connection’s youth leaders, co-moderated the forum. He opened with an overview of municipal elections, explaining what offices are on the ballot, how local decisions impact daily life, and why civic participation matters. His leadership reflected the forum’s dual mission: to inform voters and to foster the next generation of civic leaders.
In addition, several student volunteers from Malden Public High School and Malden Catholic High School supported the event, assisting with logistics and ensuring the forum ran smoothly. Their involvement further emphasized the importance of engaging young people in civic life.
Community Impact
The forum successfully created a space for meaningful dialogue between candidates and constituents, bridging community voices with city leadership. The audience was notably diverse, reflecting Malden’s cultural and generational mix, and engagement was strong both in-person and online. In our post-event survey, one attendee wrote: “Great planning, very diverse group in the audience and well attended — gives me hope for civics!” This feedback underscored the forum’s role in strengthening civic spirit and fostering community connection.
Participants actively submitted more than 20 thoughtful questions on issues ranging from housing to public safety to community spaces. While time did not allow for every question to be addressed, the volume and quality of submissions underscored the community’s eagerness to engage with candidates and shape Malden’s future.
Voting Information and Reminders
In addition to hearing directly from candidates, attendees left with clear reminders about how and when to vote:
- Election Day – Tuesday, November 4, 2025
- Vote-by-Mail and Absentee Ballots – available with early submission encouraged
- Ballot Drop Box – 215 Pleasant Street, outside City Hall, open 24/7 until 8 PM on Election Day
Closing Note
With the combined energy of candidates, residents, and youth leaders, the Malden City
Councilor At-Large Candidate Forum was more than a debate—it was a community effort to “be informed, be engaged, and help shape Malden’s future.”
Acknowledgment of Community Partners
This event was made possible with the generous support of our community partners: Democracy Hubs, Massachusetts Voter Table, MassVOTE, Massachusetts Senior Action Council, Chinese Progressive Association, Malden Safe Streets, Malden Pride Coalition, American Association for Arab Women.
