by @BarryRafkind in Civic Action, Politics
Posted on November 12, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Last Modified on November 19, 2010 at 11:48 am
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Our Alder(wo)men and School Committee Members are elected to represent us. In order to do that, they need to hear from us and let us know what’s going on at City Hall. This gets me wondering if there’s a good way to score / track / rate them on how well they communicate with constituents. Perhaps you and I can come up with a set of criteria and then collectively keep tabs on how they’re doing.
Here’s a first draft of criteria:
- How often does s/he hold office hours?
- How easy is it to reach her/him by phone?
- How long does it take her/him to return a call? an email?
- Does s/he maintain an email list? How often are messages sent?
Your thoughts?
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Rebekah Gewirtz is very responsive. I don’t know the answers to all your questions, but when I have a city problem I email her, she responds, and she’s really tenacious in demanding results.
I had a problem with a utility pole and wires, and she stayed on the DPW until they fixed it–even though the utility companies were really responsible.
She does maintain an email list.
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I might add additional criteria:
Are there any issues that illustrate your Alderperson’s interest or commitment? problems in the Ward they’ve solved, or city-wide problems with which they’ve identified?
Who have they helped lately? Is their help independent of political support? Do they help enemies? Do they help different languages, colors, classes, or does their help reflect how long you’ve lived in Somerville??
How many friends do you and the Alderman have in common? How close are they to you? to the elected official? How long has that friendship held up?
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Ward: 5
Alderman: Sean O’Donovan
Years ago, I requested two “Slow: Deaf Child” signs to be placed on Richardson Street. Within weeks, they were installed.
Fast forward to 2008, I asked for my street sign to be replaced (it was missing) on a Wednesday night and it was installed on Thursday morning.
Both of these were long before I started my website and became as involved as I am now. Also, I have never made a political contribution to my alderman’s campaign.
I have seen him accommodate both young and old, political friends, enemies, and former opponents alike.
Sean has identified issues with NStar that caused power outtages throughout the city and has been holding them accountable since bringing them before the Public Utilities and Public Works Committee in the late summer/early fall of this year.
How often does s/he hold office hours?
He doesn’t hold set hours like Alderman-At-Large Sullivan does, but is open to meeting at his law office or before/after a meeting at City Hall.
How easy is it to reach her/him by phone?
I have left voicemails before, but now reach him by email.
How long does it take her/him to return a call? an email?
24-48 hours unless he knows he’s going to see me at a meeting.
Does s/he maintain an email list? How often are messages sent?
I know he participates in one that he was added to in his neighborhood, but I would like to see more communication from him. Website or email list are ways he can reach a younger demographic in his ward. The older generation likes the flyer drop a few days before an important meeting, which he does.
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Wow Courtney! That’s quite the change of heart you’ve had there. Considering some of the things I personally heard you say about Sean when you were helping Joe Lynch with his run against O’Donovan, I’d say you either have been promised something or you’ve gone completely over to the dark side.
No cred for you girl.
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No, I haven’t been made any promises despite what you may have heard or have been told.
I based my above answers on my experience with him as an alderman and from my research for my website.
As for previous comments…sure I probably made plenty and will make plenty more. I bet Sean made some about me. Welcome to the dirty, nasty world of Somerville political campaigns and their aftermath, Ward 5 Born. However, I must say that going to the meetings myself has served me much better than listening to the tall tales of active imaginations drunk off too many bottles of wine.
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I live in ward 4 and alderman Pero has an email list and is very responsive. He keeps my wife and I updated on construction and development. Especially with Saint Anns.
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