On Martin Luther King day, January 15, 2006, during his introduction to invited speaker (then-candidate) MA Governor Deval Patrick in front of a full house at the East Somerville Community School, Mayor Joe Curtatone pledged to search far and wide in order to hire the very best possible staff leadership to implement the civil rights of constituents with disAbilities in Somerville.

On Choosing Day, November 4, 2008, Somerville showed her strength when 32,815 voters cast their ballots in 21 precincts distributed throughout the city’s seven wards.  The city’s constituents gave an 80.6% vote to the Obama/Biden ticket, and a 15.8% vote to the McCain/Palin bid.

But meaningful change and independent choice still seems out of reach for some voters here in the ‘Ville.

Mayor Curtatone was recently quoted as saying, “ I believe in a strong mayor form of government. I think it makes the mayor more accountable to the voters.” Therefore, it is Mayor Joe that must be held accountable for the continuing lack of municipal skill in providing equal and integrated programs and facilities to all residents.

There will be more Choosing Days to come.

Below are 11 pictures taken on November 4, 2008 along with captions, showing the types of problems encountered by wheelchair-mobile and other voters in just three sample precincts.  This, despite voting accessibility information and resources offered by Somerville community advocates since at least September 2006:

DPW Building, Franey Road, Ward 5, Precinct 1

Image 1above :  DPW drop off space blocks curbcut access

Image 2 above :  DPW HP space makes driver exit into oncoming traffic, despite the fact that appropriate HP parking spaces with access aisles could have been made available in the parking area adjacent to the Dilboy field

Image 3 above :  DPW sidewalk route from HP spot to entrance is not level or smooth.

Reilly-Brickley fire station, 266 Broadway, Used for: Ward 1, Precinct 3 AND Ward 4, Precinct 2

Image 4 above :  R-B sidewalk inaccessible from Walnut Street

Image 5 above :  R-B sidewalk inaccessible from HP spot

Image 6 above :  R-B HP spot has no access aisle, and is unsafe (driver must exit onto Broadway’s oncoming traffic)

Image 7 above :  R-B fire station entrance not level or smooth, transition edge into fire station over 1 inch difference in level, unbeveled

Image 8 above :  R-B sidewalk inaccessible due to street obstacles plus not level, or smooth

George Dilboy Post (VFW), 371 Summer Street, Ward 6, Precinct 1

Image 9 above : VFW Front entrance signage does not give clear directions

Image 10 above :  VFW back entrance does not allow adequate space to independently open the door

Image 11 above :  VFW back entrance threshold lip over 1 inch and unbeveled- dangerous and inaccessible for wheelchair-mobile voters