LOWELL — At-large City Council candidate Virak Uy hopes to bring his experiences from his background from both the corporate world and as an educator to the Lowell City Council chamber to bolster funding for schools, public safety, mental health and substance abuse treatment services in the city.
Uy is one of many residents of Lowell representing the Cambodian diaspora in the city, having arrived in the U.S. from Cambodia in 1980 as a young refugee with his parents. Uy lived in Boston for much of his life, but moved to South Lowell a couple of years ago. Currently, Uy serves as the director of the Program for Asian American Student Advancement at Middlesex Community College, where he said he was able to help increase student retention and graduation rates. He has also served on the board of directors for the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell, and in the past he worked at large firms like Fidelity and Putnam Investments.
“I have a track record of experience needed for the success of programs with a lasting impact on our community,” said Uy in an Oct. 24 phone call. “I am running because I think the success and future of Lowell will depend on providing opportunities for all of our residents.”
While the last election brought with it the option for City Council candidates to run in different districts in addition to at-large seats, Uy said he opted to run as an at-large candidate because he wants to help tackle issues that affect all residents of Lowell. As the world emerges from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uy thinks Lowell faces many challenges, but also is presented with many opportunities.
“Each neighborhood has different needs. I am running for at-large because I feel that there are some universal issues we should address for the whole city, like public safety, affordable housing, education and the local economy,” said Uy. “I definitely want to make sure that we provide adequate funding and management to provide…
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