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	<title>Somerville Voices &#187; Government Reform</title>
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	<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org</link>
	<description>An independent, open forum for reports and opinions about life in our city.</description>
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		<title>Representative Provost&#8217;s Smart Framework For Sustainable Transportation</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2012/02/05/politics/representative-provosts-smart-framework-for-sustainable-transportation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2012/02/05/politics/representative-provosts-smart-framework-for-sustainable-transportation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:04:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>eila</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accessibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Health & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=11059</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Somerville Representative Provost has just published a piece at bostinno called:  MBTA Troubles Just a Symptom of Systemic Crisis.  
This Monday February 6, 2012 at 11:30 will be the Public Hearing on Rep. Provost 's House Bill 2659, a bill relative to transportation finance and equity. Location: State House, room A-1.
Rep. Provost article link: http://bostinno.com/2012/02/01/mbta-troubles-just-a-symptom-of-systemic-crisis/]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2012/02/05/politics/representative-provosts-smart-framework-for-sustainable-transportation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>City&#8217;s ACE Webpage for Responsiveness Data Now 3 Months Stale</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2012/01/04/government-reform/citys-ace-webpage-for-responsiveness-data-now-3-months-stale/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2012/01/04/government-reform/citys-ace-webpage-for-responsiveness-data-now-3-months-stale/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:02:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Barry Rafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Civic Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=10974</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;We should not have to tell you we are doing well. We should be able to show we are doing well. And if we are falling short in some areas, then you should be able to see that too. &#8221; &#8211; Mayor Curtatone, in his 7/15/2011 op-ed to the Somerville News announcing his new ACE program and stating a customer [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2012/01/04/government-reform/citys-ace-webpage-for-responsiveness-data-now-3-months-stale/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>4</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Passing the Local Hiring Ordinance Will Help Raise Labor Standards in Somerville</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/26/politics/passing-the-local-hiring-ordinance-will-help-raise-labor-standards-in-somerville/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/26/politics/passing-the-local-hiring-ordinance-will-help-raise-labor-standards-in-somerville/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:07:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rand Wilson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Civil and Human Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy & Poverty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Workers' Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jobs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[local hiring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unions]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=10774</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Somerville&#8217;s economic development policies should place the highest priority on creating the good jobs our community needs.
All across Somerville working families are facing high levels of unemployment.  And for those who are working, they have experienced cuts in their pay and benefits, increased health and safety problems and violations of their rights on the job.  [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/26/politics/passing-the-local-hiring-ordinance-will-help-raise-labor-standards-in-somerville/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>11/29: Ward 1 ResiStat Community Meeting</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/25/politics/1129-ward-1-resistat-community-meeting/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/25/politics/1129-ward-1-resistat-community-meeting/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:17:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Logan W</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[East Somerville]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Neighborhoods and Squares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ward 1]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[community]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Somerville]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=10760</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Roche and the ResiStat program invite you to a community meeting in West Somerville to discuss the latest city data, news, updates and issues most important to you.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/25/politics/1129-ward-1-resistat-community-meeting/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>ResiStat Community Meetings for Wards 3 and 6 coming up</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/08/politics/resistat-community-meetings-for-wards-3-and-6-coming-up/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/08/politics/resistat-community-meetings-for-wards-3-and-6-coming-up/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:27:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Logan W</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Announcements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ward 3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ward 6]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=10697</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Reminder: The beginning of next week community leaders will get together with you in Wards 3 and 6

Meet with Mayor Curtatone, Alderman, City officials, aldermen-at-large and police
Share your concerns and ideas
Stay for a Meet &#38; Greet with light refreshments


Ward 3: Mon. Nov. 14 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Somerville High School, Highlander Café
81 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)
(use [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/08/politics/resistat-community-meetings-for-wards-3-and-6-coming-up/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Somerville, MA: Millions Wasted on Deficient Walkability Improvements</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/02/schools-and-youth/somerville-ma-millions-wasted-on-deficient-walkability-improvements/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/02/schools-and-youth/somerville-ma-millions-wasted-on-deficient-walkability-improvements/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:31:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>eila</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accessibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil and Human Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Development and Zoning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment and Open Space]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pedestrians]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Health & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Records / FOIA Requests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Schools and Youth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seniors]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=10627</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Over 80% of Somerville's new sidewalks and curb cuts, installed since 2004,  are hazardous for people with various types of disabilities (one-in-five).  These infrastructure improvements don't even adhere to basic, standard building code.  See a listing of the first 50 locations that the City of Somerville promises to re-do, equalling about $500K wasted the first time around- for starters.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/11/02/schools-and-youth/somerville-ma-millions-wasted-on-deficient-walkability-improvements/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Special, if irrational, permits in Somerville</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/10/12/development-and-zoning/special-if-irrational-permits-in-somerville/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/10/12/development-and-zoning/special-if-irrational-permits-in-somerville/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:05:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jonathan Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Development and Zoning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment and Open Space]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=10253</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was looking at plans for a house that’s going to be built behind mine, and just got it’s ZBA stamp of approval, and realized that they hadn’t fixed the stairway.  For the first three levels it’s shown on the plans going up in a counter-clockwise direction, then on the top floor the way down [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/10/12/development-and-zoning/special-if-irrational-permits-in-somerville/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>FOIA to OSPCD: Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing?</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/09/16/housing/foia-to-ospcd-affirmatively-furthering-fair-housing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/09/16/housing/foia-to-ospcd-affirmatively-furthering-fair-housing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:34:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>eila</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Accessibility]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civic Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil and Human Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Development and Zoning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Records / FOIA Requests]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=10092</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Disabled residents of Somerville experience disproportionate poverty, substandard housing conditions, and face pervasive exclusion, even in the city's inclusionary and affordable housing opportunity programs.  Today, a FOIA request was lodged to learn how four influential nonprofits guide the City to step up to its obligations to affirmatively further Fair Housing for economically disadvantaged residents.]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/09/16/housing/foia-to-ospcd-affirmatively-furthering-fair-housing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Curtatone Administration Not as Transparent and Open as Promised</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/28/government-reform/curtatone-administration-not-as-transparent-and-open-as-promised/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/28/government-reform/curtatone-administration-not-as-transparent-and-open-as-promised/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:26:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Barry Rafkind</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[311 Requests]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investigative Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Records / FOIA Requests]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=9814</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the following examples indicate, the Curtatone administration routinely ignores, delays, or over-charges for data sought under the state&#8217;s public records law, in contrast to what the Mayor calls an &#8220;open, transparent and efficient government&#8221;.
Here are just two examples of the many instances in which Mayor Curtatone professes to deliver on that promise:
On his list [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/28/government-reform/curtatone-administration-not-as-transparent-and-open-as-promised/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Contract for the American Dream Meeting</title>
		<link>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/17/politics/contract-for-the-american-dream-meeting/</link>
		<comments>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/17/politics/contract-for-the-american-dream-meeting/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 01:48:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Pat Jehlen</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Economy & Poverty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Government Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Politics]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.somervillevoices.org/?p=9735</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A good way to get to know interesting neighbors and maybe even accomplish something:
My husband and I hosted a MoveOn.org “American Dream” house party Saturday. We were among some 20,000 people getting together around the country to help MoveOn push for dealing with the national budget deficit by getting the richest people in America to [...]]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://www.somervillevoices.org/2011/07/17/politics/contract-for-the-american-dream-meeting/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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