Work
Mayor Konstantina Lukes
EDUCATION -
Fought for parents and taxpayers so the school budget is simplified and more detailed, providing a more transparent and clear explanation of where tax money is being spent and how much of it goes directly to Worcester children's education.
Spearheaded the first truly nationwide search for a new Superintendent of Schools, forming a search committee of professional educators and policy intellectuals that was beyond reproach, she bucked the establishment to hire an outsider to lead the Worcester Public Schools for the first time in decades.
Improved government openness for the school department by requiring, for the first time, that all school committee AND sub-committee meetings be televised.
Hosts monthly meetings of the Mayor's Youth At Risk Task Force, providing inspiration and guidance to and from city organizations that work to help Worcester's young people who are in danger of not succeeding.
Supported giving parents more options for educating their children including charter schools, "readiness schools" and other programs offering parents free, open choices to best educate their children.
Hosted and aided the first Youth Philanthropy and Civic Involvement Council, a group of local high school students, and together launched the first web site for Worcester's youth on the city website: ci.worcester.ma.us 'Youth Resources- For Kids, By Kids'
Collaborated with philanthropic donors to create the first "Backpack Program" which gives hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to area students.
Created and personally funds the Lukes Scholarship program, which has been giving college grants to graduating seniors of the Worcester Public Schools for years.
Is working tirelessly to make Worcester the 'Smartest City in New England,' and is currently developing a local version of the 'Pittsburg Promise,' a program that provides funds to pay for all or part of tuitions to local colleges for public school graduates with the help of foundations, secondary educational institutions, and philanthropic donors.
Hosted 100 Worcester Public High School Students at the Hal Holbrook presentation of Mark Twain at the Hanover Theater.
Chairs all School Committee meetings, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and decorum, and transparency to provide the most information to our parents, educators, and taxpayers.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Moving ahead with the 560 million dollars in development projects for City Square during the most difficult economy in decades.
Invited to speak as one of only six mayors chosen from across the nation at the Mayor's Institute of City Design in Chicago, IL.
Co-hosted the 'Small Business Summit' at Beechwood Hotel with the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Mayor Lukes Received the Small Business Advocate Award from the Conference of Mayors.
Mayor's Small Business Roundtable (hosted and organized by the Mayor's office) led to the creation of a brochure for the public and for potential entrepreneurs to simplify the understanding of Worcester's Code requirements for small businesses.
Held 'Mayor's Walks' in neighborhoods with small business and emerging business districts as well as areas infested with Asian Longhorned Beetle, bringing city government out of City Hall and into to Worcester's neighborhoods to facilitate dialogue and an open exchange with residents and business owners.
Presented an overview of Worcester's development projects and our recent achievements as part of a symposium to the National Association of City Mayors in Chicago, IL. Advance design team from Chicago came to Worcester to view and discuss Washington Square development, the crux of Mayor Lukes' presentation at the conference.
Honorary Chair, Bottom Line program called 'Get In, Graduate and Go Far' reception, hosted for the first time in Worcester at Mechanic's Hall in 2009. Bottom Line helps first generation and low-income students get into and graduate from college by providing them with one-on-one guidance and support.
PROMOTING THE CITY of WORCESTER
Hosts Coffee with Konnie every week on WCCA local cable access, interviewing residents. Promotes their businesses, events and causes to hundreds of thousands of people, airing throughout Worcester County, Massachusetts, and beyond.
Hosts The Mayor's Forum on WCCR Charter TV-3, discussing events happening in Worcester and also larger issues as they effect the city, its residents , businesses, schools and non-profit organizations.
Participates in weekly radio interviews via the Peter Blute Show, Hank Stoltz' Wake up Worcester, and appears on SOAPBOX with Mauro DiPasquale on WCCA-TV, maintaining availability to the media and answering their questions in public forums.
Promoted the city on television interviews with WBZ, WCTR, FOX Boston, WCVB, WHDH, and PBS.
Interviewed by Emily Rooney on PBS regarding city/town local budgets in the future.
Recognized the hard work and accomplishments of Worcester's individuals and organizations with Mayoral proclamations and keys to the city. Proclamations and Keys are given out upon request by citizens or local groups. This aspect of the Mayor's job is time consuming but worth the effort to praise those accomplishments of our citizenry. Mayor Lukes follows the tradition of former mayors who have also filled this ceremonial role admirably and with equal dedication.
Reaches out to residents, business owners and others with 'Mayor's Newsletter' that highlights events and occasions attended by Mayor Lukes and the organizations or individuals that have made a difference in Worcester. Newsletter is sent via email at no cost to taxpayers.
Hosted meeting of the Massachusetts Mayor's Association in the newly renovated Hanover Theater where numerous Worcester businesses and organizations were given statewide exposure.
COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS
Member of Mass Mayor's Association, attending meetings for free exchange of ideas and issues with other Mayors across Massachusetts.
Member and Treasurer or M.O.R.E. (Municipalities Organized for Regional Effectiveness)- an organization of town/city managers, mayors, and other municipal leaders who collaborate and pool resources in an attempt to create more effective, efficient, and responsive regional governmental cooperation.
Attends weekly briefings with City Manager O'Brien to discuss pressing issues, share concerns and exchange information regarding Worcester's finances, public safety, neighborhoods, and economic growth, as well as constituent requests.
Hosted meetings of the Worcester legislative delegation, held in the Mayor's office, similar to previous Mayors, where our State Representatives and State Senators listen to the city's concerns through Mayor Lukes, and where Mayor Lukes is briefed by our legislators regarding their work on Beacon Hill.
Attends numerous meetings every week with neighborhood groups, religious organizations, local colleges, small business leaders, and many others to facilitate partnerships between city government and the full Worcester community.
Oversees and hosts Mayor's Youth At Risk Task Force monthly meetings in the Mayor's office.
Organized and hosts Brownfields Development Roundtable monthly meetings in the Mayor's office.
Organized and hosted first ever City Council Retreat, with a second retreat currently in the planning stage. Retreats are a management tool used in private sector business organizations to promote teamwork, encourage original ideas, and create active, open dialogue between colleagues.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Created, sponsored and promoted the Mayor's Clean and Green Awards, recognizing local businesses, individuals, and organizations for their contribution to and assistance in helping our natural environment and combating pollution.
Organized and co-hosted a 'National Conversation on Climate Action' with Clark University, part of a nationwide program sponsored by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and the Association of Science-Technology Centers. Program was free and open to the public.
Initiated and promoted the Shade Tree Trust.
Initiated the Worcester Energy Alliance.
Initiated an order to create an ordnance banning plastic bags from being used at grocery stores in Worcester.
First Mayor's "Walk" was taken on a Hybrid bus to bring attention to and promote the use of Worcester's new, energy efficient form of mass-transit.
Sponsored free Energy Seminars in conjunction with the Mass Mayor's Association at Worcester Senior Center and Home Ownership Center.
CULTURAL and HERITAGE PRESERVATION
Named and appointed Gertrude Halstead - First Poet Laureate for Worcester. 
Presents local artwork in Mayor's Office - displaying exhibitions of local artists, giving exposure of Worcester's talent to hundreds of visitors in city hall.
Saved the Rostrum of Alderman from auction, leading to the addition of new meeting space for public meetings with the beautiful restoration of the Levi Lincoln Chamber in city hall.
Collaborated with local museum and art experts to restore previously lost and damaged portraits of Mayors in city hall.
Sought and received grant for restoration and re-hanging Mayor's paintings.
Organized effort at no cost to taxpayers to digitally photograph all portraits of past mayors. Mayor's interns catalogued and labeled each portrait to preserve their image and make them available electronically for future research purposes.
Worked with Higgins Armory Museum to inspect and restore armor in city hall that was given as a gift from Great Britain to the City of Worcester.
Received grant for restoration of Harrington Portrait.
Mayor's Intern project - researched all biographies of past mayors for historical addition to the restored portraits.
Mayor's Intern project - researched history of City Hall for preservation.
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
As Worcester's lead ambassador, Mayor Lukes has organized welcoming events and personally greeted the following groups in City Hall:
President Mary McAleese and other national officials from Ireland
Prefect from Serres, Greece and 50 visiting Greek dignitaries
British Consulate and other British officials for the 100th anniversary of the gift of armor given by the people of Great Britain to the City of Worcester. The armor, which still hangs in City Hall, was refurbished at no cost to taxpayers by Higgins Armory Museum as part of the festivities.
Official delegations of visitors and/or public officials from:
President of Ireland Mary McAleese
British Deputy Consul-General
Panepirotic Federation of America
China
Korea
Ukraine
Nigeria
Ghana
Colombia
Albania
Russia
Macedonia
Cambodia
Armenia
Vietnam
the Republic of Cameroon
Haiti
Lithuania
Germany
India
Southeast Asia
Greece
Ireland
Dominican Republic
Puerto Rico
EVENTS
Mayor Lukes attends countless community events, often speaking at these events to promote Worcester's diversity, neighborhoods and citizenry. The Mayor acts as an emissary for municipal government in this capacity.
Mayor Lukes regularly attends such events as:
Meals on Wheels
UNUM Volunteer Awards
Worcester State College Scholarship Tea
Latin American Festival
stART on the Street
Good Morning America
Whistle Stop Tour
Opening Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
National Community Health Center Week
Keynote Speaker League of Women Voters
Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution
2010 Census Kick-offs
St. Patrick's Day parade/events
Superior Court 150th Birthday Celebration
Albanian Festival
Openings of supermarkets, hospitals, businesses, non-profits
Church Festivals/celebrations
100th Birthdays of Worcester's senior citizens
Grecian Festival
Indian Festival
South East Asian Festival
Columbus Day Parade/events