Politics

[ July 14, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Come to CSfC’s 2010 Election Campaign Kickoff on Wednesday, July 14, at 7pm and learn about how you can help us re-elect the governor, help Mac D’Alessandro win the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District, and defeat the states Sales Tax Reduction initiative.

The Mayor of Somerville has yet again stolen another idea from Cambridge: road races. He should be spending time and energy to help get us out of this financial crush.

[ June 17, 2010; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] After a year of many successes and some direction setting work, we are excited to end one year and begin another!

On May 25, 2010 my union received a letter that stated that as of the new fiscal year the school custodians would be privatized out… The mayor mentions that he does not want to cut public safety or education but this mayor has packed the police and fire with all his friends…

[ June 8, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] As a member of the Democratic City Committee, I received the following meeting announcement today:

Where : VNA, 259 Lowell St.

Agenda includes:

Election of a new Female Vice Chair
Reports from the State Democratic Convention
Presentation by the Tufts Employee Association by Will Erikson

[ May 19, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] We’ll be holding the third meeting of the Somerville Coffee Party this Wednesday, May 19 at 7:00PM. It’s a great chance to talk about your vision for engaged, functional democracy, and particular steps we can take at the local level to make it happen. The meeting is at 14 Herbert Street (right behind Redbones). Join [...]

[ May 21, 2010; 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Immigrants who gather at Foss Park each morning as early as 5 am looking for work as day laborers are the subject of a new play that will enjoy its community premiere on Friday, May 21st at the Black Box Theater at the Elizabeth Peabody House, 277 Broadway. The program begins at 7:30 pm.

The new play, “They Don’t Tell You Anything!” will be performed as part of an evening of theater, stories and conversation about the struggles and challenges that many Somerville residents face after they are picked up by contractors each morning to paint or perform demolition work. Written by playwright and English teacher Meryl Becker, the play will be performed by student actors from the Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE).

An all-present and accounted-for Gubernatorial Candidates Forum will be held May 18, 2010 from 1 p.m. – 3:30p.m. at the Perkins School in Watertown. WBUR’s Bob Oakes will be the Moderator.

[ May 10, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ]

The Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Revenue has been traveling the state on a Listening Tour to hear from the public their thoughts on tax policy in Massachusetts. The Somerville stop of the Listening Tour will be held Monday, May 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the [...]

A heated debate has developed recently in the op-ed pages of The Somerville News between columnist Bill Shelton and Somerville’s Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher over the City’s use of a Reserve Fire Force/List.
For further reading, check out:
April 2 – Reservations about the Reserve Fire Force by Bill Shelton
April 7 – Somerville Fire chief: No favoritism [...]

Personally, I was very impressed with the quality and civility of the conversation we had and the enthusiasm we developed around our idea for organizing a community-wide event.

Before the emergence of Coffee Parties, we saw, locally, the advent of Somervillevoices.org, a courageous and worthy experiment in a 21st Century democratic, community- controlled public media forum, and of the much heralded, government- built Resistat program…

[ April 22, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] We’re going to get together and find strategies to fix our democracy, and then we’re going to put them into action. Bring your ideas and your energy. Join us.

Representative Capuano has agreed to be a sponsor of the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act in Congress that would protect access television stations across the country. Many states have passed statewide franchising laws that have undermined established funding allocations from cable television companies, channel quality, and channel accessibility.  Many stations have disappeared altogether. The CAP [...]

The AGO, through its Division of Open Government is requesting public comment on proposed alternatives to the notice posting requirement in the Open Meeting Law. Comment should be submitted by April 23, 2010.

On Tuesday evening, State Sen. Pat Jehlen sat down with Joe Lynch for his show “Greater Somerville” on SCAT to discuss the pending driving bill, the shrinking state budget, health care reform, and casino gambling. I just watched the show and took some notes from their conversation.
Greater Somerville – MA State Senator Patricia D. [...]

Never let it be said that the far-right in the USA can’t make fools of themselves when given half a chance.

[ April 11, 2010; 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. ] Please join me at Carl’s campaign kick-off party, Today, April 11, 3-5 pm, at Sabur Restaurant, 212 Holland Street

Where are Senator Jehlen, Representatives Toomey, Provost, and Sciortino on holding state-chartered corporations to account to their shareholders for their political influence?

[ April 14, 2010; ] Well, she doesn’t scare this citizen and I doubt she scares you, dear reader, but her sojourn into the birthplace of this here nation sure calls for a strong non-violent response.

The timing of support is worth lots more than just a single vote.

[ March 18, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] You are invited!

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) have joined with Cambridge and Somerville for Change and the Cambridge Democratic City Committee to host a candidates forum for the Middlesex, Suffolk & Essex State Senate race. This is the race to fill the seat that was left vacant by Senator Galluccio’s resignation. As progressives [...]

[ March 9, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] BOA Legislative Matters Committee of the Whole

Tues. Mar. 9 7:00 PM

Somerville City Hall
Aldermen’s Chamber
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is the regular meeting of the Legislative Matters Committee of the Somerville Board of Aldermen. This meeting will address a Home Rule Petition to amend the City Charter.

This meeting is important [...]

[ February 23, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] After six years as an organization, PDS is spending some time assessing our work and visioning about our efforts moving forward.

[ February 20, 2010; 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. March 20, 2010; 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. April 24, 2010; 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. May 22, 2010; 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. June 19, 2010; 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. July 24, 2010; 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] Approximately fifteen people crowded around two small tables this afternoon at the Danish Pastry House in Medford to share their concerns and questions in a wide-ranging conversation with State Representative Carl Sciortino at his first district coffee hour of the year. 

The discussion covered topics including the difficulty of getting parking permits in Medford, poor [...]

Having only lived in Somerville for about three and a half years, I have much to learn about the city’s past. Here are some historical articles that may be of wider interest. I hope others will share other stories that can inform the newer residents of what life was like in the good/bad old days.

Somerville [...]

[ February 9, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] Committee on Legislative Matters

Tues. Feb. 9 7:00 PM

Aldermen’s Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is a special meeting of Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting as a whole. The Committee does the final review of ordinances to be passed by the Board of Aldermen.

This meeting is important because it is taking up a [...]

[ February 9, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Cambridge-Somerville for Change will host a “Debrief, Regroup, and Go Forward” community meeting at the Cambridge YMCA on Tuesday, February 9th from 6:30-8:30pm.

[ February 8, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Registered Democrats in Somerville will be holding a caucus at the Capuano School, 150 Glen St. on Monday, February 8 at 7:20 PM to elect 8 delegates and 3 alternates to the 2010 Massachusetts Democratic Convention to be held on Fri June 4th and Sat, June 5th at the DCU Center in Worcester. At that time, Democrats from across the state will gather to endorse statewide candidates.

Perversely (in both literal and political sense), the Shanley case shows that Brown may not have been as bad a choice as Coakley. And that gloating rarely makes up for lousy organizing on behalf of an arrogant and opportunistic candidate. Thanks Carl, Thanks Martha for the lesson. We will remember.

[ January 19, 2010; ] In this close race, your vote counts more than ever!

Find your polling place here and then go vote while you can before 8pm.

[ January 3, 2010; ] This post came today from Cambridge-Somerville for Change:
The Elections Team held their first meeting Monday night, and we’re working on a bunch of initiatives. We’ll be holding our first phone bank on January 3rd. In addition, we’ll also be working on GOTV (Get Out The Vote) locally and state-wide. And, finally, we’re planning a local [...]

[ January 20, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Cambridge Somerville for Change presents:

Next meeting: Jan. 20th 6:30 pm
359 Cambridge St. #8 East Cambridge
Email Pamela: immigration@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com

[ January 12, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] We need your help and ideas to help to get CSfC’s energy and climate effort going. So please come to our meeting on January 12th, at 7pm, at 154 Auburn Street in Cambridge. We will be planning our kick-off action forum, currently set for February.

And if you have any questions or ideas, please send a [...]

[ January 5, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] Cambridge Somerville for Change

Next meeting: Jan. 5th 7:00 pm
175 Harvey St. Cambridge
Email Karly: health.reform@cambridgesomervilleforchange.com

[ December 21, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Come discuss what we can do in Cambridge and Somerville to help progressives win the 2010 elections, starting with the special senate election on January 19!

Critical state and national races are on tap in 2010, from Mass. governor to senate seats in neighboring states. Let’s decide where we want to focus our energy next year, [...]

1.  The Disability Policy Consortium hoped to be able to offer some guidance to its constituency on the candidate most likely to fill the late Senator’s big shoes on disability issues. In mid-November, DPC sent briefing materials to each campaign along with a simple questionnaire. (The 3 page document can be found at:   www.dpcma.org [...]

Somerville’s Women Elected Officials Support Mike Capuano for U.S. Senate

[ December 5, 2009; 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. December 6, 2009; 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. ] If you want to help Mike Capuano become our next senator, join us in a Somerville lit drop this weekend, Saturday, Dec 5th & Sunday, Dec 6th between 9am and 4pm. We will be dropping GOTV literature in Somerville to remind our neighbors to get out there and vote for Congressman Capuano.

Come on out and [...]

[ December 14, 2009; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Come to Cambridge-Somerville for Change’s Winter ’09 General Meeting on Monday, December 14th at 7pm at the Central Square YMCA in Cambridge. We’ll hear an update on each of our current issue campaigns, including Health Care, Energy and Environment, and Immigration and In-State Tuition. And we will ask for your feedback as we start to work on upcoming elections.

According to a Globe article published earlier this evening [Coakley picks up endorsements from Capuano's hometown] endorsements from current and former Somerville pols break down like this:
Martha Coakley

State Rep. Carl M. Sciortino Jr.
Former state Senator Sal Albano
Former Somerville mayors Dorothy Kelly Gay and Eugene C. Brune, who is now Southern Middlesex Register of Deeds

Michael Capuano

Current [...]

[ December 1, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] The Somerville Democratic City Committee is hosting a Debate Watch Party. What: Candidates for US Senate televised debate. Where: The Precinct Bar in Union Square. When: 6:30 pm Tues December 1st

Update: This event has been canceled. PDS will instead be co-hosting a Debate Watch Party with the Democratic City Committee.

[ November 15, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. ] Somerville Voices will sponsor a public forum on Sunday, Nov 15th, 7-9:30 pm about our city’s changing parking regulations and how they will affect residents, visitors, businesses, and the city budget.

Courtney Koslow, director of the Somerville Parking Advocacy and Reform Coalition (SPARC) and member of the City’s Parking Solutions Task Force will address your questions [...]

Hey PDSers…As we approach the late afternoon of this city election, we need to get out there and help one of our endorsed candidates! Christine Rafal, our ward 4 school committee endorsed candidate, has the votes needed to win this race but she needs more help to get her voters to the polls.

School Committee candidate Christine Rafal is making a courageous run against retrograde incumbent James Norton – and she can use all the help she can get on election day! To help out please call: 617-335-6343.
Ken Brociner’s recent column in the Somerville Journal (see the link below) nicely summarizes what is at stake in Christine’s race [...]

The city elections are Nov. 3.
Here are the three SCAT-sponsored televised debates of the School Committee and Ward Alderman races.
Ward 6 Aldermen’s race:

Click To Play
Ward 4 School Committee race:

Click To Play
Ward 5 School Committee race:

Click To Play

Click To Play
What’s the biggest problem facing our city?
Compare your answer with what the five candidates for alderman-at-large said they’re hearing door-to-door. They all took part at a Somerville Community Access Television candidates’ forum to make their cases for our votes. See what you think.

Capuano: A Washington Insider, Unknown At Home
Oct 14, 2009
by Fred Thys
http://www.wbur.org/2009/10/14/capuano-background

If you’re on the fence about attending Sen. Pat Jehlen’s forum on expanded State gambling tomorrow night (Thurs. Oct 15 from 7-9pm at Century Bank, 400 Mystic Avenue in Medford), at which State Sen. Sue Tucker and State Rep Kathi-Anne Reinstein will debate the issue, here are some reasons why you should come, and why this really is a big deal.

[ October 26, 2009; 6:00 am to 8:00 am. October 27, 2009; 12:00 am to 2:00 am. 6:00 am to 8:00 am. October 28, 2009; 12:00 am to 2:00 am. 6:00 am to 8:00 am. October 29, 2009; 12:00 am to 2:00 am. 6:00 am to 8:00 am. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. October 30, 2009; 12:00 am to 2:00 am. 6:00 am to 8:00 am. October 31, 2009; 12:00 am to 2:00 am. 6:00 am to 8:00 am. ] Somerville Community Access Television, in collaboration with the TV program “Greater Somerville with Joe Lynch,” will present four half-hour forums for each contested race for Alderman and School Committee. This is an excellent opportunity for Somerville residents to compare the candidates’ perspectives before the election on November 3.

[ October 7, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] As part of ‘Our Voices, Our Vote,’ a civic participation campaign, Centro Presente would like to invite you to an Electoral Forum (Oct 7, 6pm) to hear from local candidates on the issues of concern to the community of Somerville, to talk about how to increase civic participation in the city, and to educate ourselves about the next electoral process.

PDS is proud to endorse incumbents Bill White and Dennis Sullivan for reelection, and challenger Luis Morales. Each candidate brings something different to this race and the PDS membership voted to support those perspectives.

[ October 3, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] 2 degrees of warming. 350 parts per million. Does it seem as though we are on track to achieve these? Are you concerned about the chance of passing a meaningful global climate treaty in Copenhagen? Do you want to have a say in the future of our planet? Come to our Climate Action Party! [October 3rd, 7 p.m.] We will broaden our local network of activists, strategize how to make our voices heard, and plan for the days between now and December.

Hyatt or Tufts, Deval’s choice is the hotter bed.

Rep. Michael Capuano, Democrat from Somerville, MA,  is running for the seat left by Senator Edward M. Kennedy.  He says that he is the candidate “most like Kennedy,” and his first TV Campaign ad claims: “As Mayor, he turned Somerville around.”
Let’s hear it from Somervillians who’ve been there:  What was Mayor Mike like?

Some ground rules:  [...]

Somerville Voices does hereby (and by other means) invite all candidates for contested races in the upcoming election to explain their positions on the issues and why voters should choose them on November 3.
Watch this site for a chance to read the candidate’s views, and to question and comment back yourself!  Can’t wait for your [...]

Almost half of the Aug 27th BOA mtg agenda (pdf) basically consists of 311 service requests like orders to fix potholes and sidewalks. The other half contains some interesting items including these highlights (emphasis added by me):
Note that Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane was the only member to not have sponsored any items. The Aldermen [...]

[ September 2, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Senator John Kerry will be holding a Town Hall at Somerville High School this Wednesday, September 2 from 7:30-9:00pm. The event information from his website has been copied below.

Join Senator John Kerry and discuss the issues at an open Town Hall in Somerville, MA. The seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive [...]

A five month delay in filling Kennedy’s seat with a similarly minded temporary successor guarantees a health care bill to the advantage of current insurers. Can it be coincidental that CEO of the largest of those insurers in Massachusetts, Pilgrim Health Care, would not materially benefit from a delay in filling this seat? How much [...]

[ September 13, 2009; 3:00 pm; ] Join the Progressive Dems at the kick off of one of their endorsed candidates for School Committee!

Christine Rafal will be kicking off her campaign for School Committee on Sunday, September 13th from 3pm to 5pm at the Paddock Rest at 249 Pearl Street in Somerville. Suggested donation is $50.

Christine is a hard working community voice for [...]

Thursday’s event at City Hall was a far cry from the tense, emotion-high fracas that went down at the Traffic Commission meeting two weeks ago. The stately Aldermanic chamber was likewise filled with concerned Somerville citizens, but this time, the city’s controversial May 21 vote was the agenda.
Listen to the public hearing (thanks to [...]

How do we get the silent majority of residents in Somerville — most in this city are either blue-dog, conservative or liberterian — more active and attend city meetings to voice our displeasure with the agenda of the city/state and federal government? We all need to wake up – things are out of control now.

I [...]

It seems as if the Somerville Traffic Commission has a sticky situation on it’s hands. I attended the regularly scheduled Somerville Traffic Commission meeting at the Tufts Administration building this evening, and from what was printed on the agenda, I expected a fairly run-of-the-mill session. But the 75-odd residents who packed the TAB cafeteria had a different agenda in mind…

[ July 28, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Come out to our first endorsement meeting of the year! We will be making endorsements in the contested ward races which include the Ward 6 Alderman’s Race, the Ward 5 School Committee Race and the Ward 4 School Committee Race. This will be a great chance to learn about the candidates running, ask some important questions and put our PDS support to work!

We’re working on educating the public about the incredible amount of money spent on weapon systems, and the need to get the government to redirect that money to basic human needs, such as jobs, education, housing, and health care. … and that’s where you can help. We’re going to ask the Board of Aldermen of Somerville to endorse the campaign. As preparation for that, we’re asking you to call your alderman/ woman to urge their endorsement of this campaign.

On Monday the 22nd of June at 7:30 at the Somerville High School the School Committee approved the Welcoming Massachusetts pledge. All the members said “Yes” to the pledge with great enthusiasm—Teresa Cardoso, one of the members of the School Committee, said “The School Committee is proud to support the rich immigrant population of Somerville.” [...]

[ June 23, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Come out to the next Progressive Democrats of Somerville Meeting!
When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: VNA, 259 Lowell Street, Community Room

[ June 22, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] We campaigned, we won and now we want to hear from YOU about changes you want to see in our community. Please join us on Mon. June 22nd at 6:30pm for a Cambridge-Somerville for Change community meeting

At next week’s Mass. Democratic Party Issues Convention (Saturday, June 6 in Springfield), opponents of legalizing predatory slot machine gambling in Massachusetts will mount an effort to pass a Resolution “oppos[ing] the legalization of slot machines and any similar efforts to promote addictive and predatory gambling as a means of raising public revenues.” (The full Resolution is printed at the end of this posting.) WE NEED YOUR HELP collecting delegates’ signatures.

I have been a democrat my entire voting life.  My first election was my vote for Clinton in 1992.  I will state that I am not a native Somerville nor MA resident.  Since moving to Somerville, where I own my house, I have become very interested in the elected officials and their votes.  It comes as [...]

[ May 26, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Come on out to our next PDS meeting. There is a lot going on so come on out and get involved in one of the most exciting organizations in the city!

When: Tuesday, May 26 – 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: Blue Shirt Cafe – 424 Highland Avenue – Davis Square

From 6:30 to 7:30, we will have our [...]

[ May 19, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] According to the Somerville Journal:
Somerville Democrats will meet Tuesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the community room at the Visiting Nurses Association at 259 Lowell St.

Mayor Joe Curtatone will speak on “The Economic Challenges Facing Somerville.”
Note : this location is wheelchair accessible

[ May 14, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] Forum on Gentrification and Displacement!
Thursday, May 14th, 6 PM
Elizabeth Peabody House
277 Broadway (at Broadway & Grant Street) Somerville, MA 02145

Gentrification and Displacement: What do they mean?  What can we do about them in Somerville?
Please join us to watch the film “BOOM: the Sound of Eviction” about gentrification and efforts to prevent displacement, then hear [...]

[ May 27, 2009; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Please join us!
Spring Reception to Support

Rebekah Gewirtz
Ward 6 Alderman

Where: Sagra Restaurant, 400 Highland Ave Davis Square

When: Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Time: 6-8pm
Light appetizers will be served.
Suggested Donation is: $35, $75, $150
..but if you’re unable to make a contribution please come as Rebekah’s guest anyway.
$500 is the maximum contribution allowed by [...]

The City of Somerville, as an Entitlement Community, receives millions of Federal dollars from HUD each year from the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, and HOME programs.  These monies must be spent on activities that primarily benefit low and moderate income Somerville residents in three areas:  
Provide decent affordable housing;
Eliminate slums and blight;
Enhance [...]

Bill Bumpus and regular Somerville Voices contributor Fred Berman are the co-hosts of a live, (roughly) biweekly show on Somerville Cable Access Television (SCAT, Channel 3) titled “Progressive Voices”.
If you or your organization are working to make a difference on a local, state, national or world level, we’d like to interview you!  Our show airs [...]

On March 19, 2009, the City of Somerville was one of the 118 recipients of an “e-government Award,” from Common Cause. This citation is given for providing online access to Board of Alderman agenda and minutes, budget information, and general by-laws. But, on closer inspection, Somerville came in “number one” for the most inaccessible website, [...]

[ April 23, 2009; 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. ] From the Somerville Journal web-announcement Capuano staffer visits Somerville April 23
A member of Eighth District Rep. Mike Capuano’s staff will hold office hours Thursday, April 23, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Aldermen’s Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Constituents are encouraged to stop by with questions or concerns.

“If you have an issue [...]

[ April 21, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Come out to the Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) Annual Meeting. See what exciting things are happening with PDS as it celebrates the start of its 6th year.

When: Tuesday, April 21 – 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: Independent Restaurant – Union Square
The short program will include elections for new officers, a review of where PDS has been and [...]

Bill Bumpus and regular Somerville Voices contributor Fred Berman are the co-hosts of a live, (roughly) biweekly show on Somerville Cable Access Television (SCAT, Channel 3) titled “Progressive Voices”.
If you or your organization are working to make a difference on a local, state, national or world level, we’d like to interview you!  [...]

[ April 1, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] No Fooling: Budget Forum April 1

Every day we learn of more cuts in services and proposed tax increases. Why are we in this situation? What can we do to protect the basics we expect in a commonwealth?

On April 1, 7 – 9 pm, you can learn about the state’s fiscal crisis, its causes and consequences, [...]

No Fooling: Budget Forum April 1
Every day we learn of more cuts in services and proposed tax increases. Why are we in this situation? What can we do to protect the basics we expect in a commonwealth?
On April 1, 7 – 9 pm, you can learn about the state’s fiscal crisis, its causes [...]

[ March 14, 2009; ] Answer President Barack Obama’s call to action and get involved in your community by preparing for the next election cycle! You are invited to our training to learn the basics of how to run and win a local campaign. Topics will include fundraising, crafting a message, field operations/Get Out The Vote, and media and communication.

The [...]

Answer President Barack Obama’s call to action and get involved in your community by preparing for the next election cycle! You are invited to our training to learn the basics of how to run and win a local campaign.

[ February 24, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Hey PDSers…

Its time for another great PDS meeting. Come out and see what exciting things PDS is up to this month. Our agenda includes:

Update on our March Candidate and Campaign Training
Dialogue on “Somerville’s Response to the Fiscal Crisis” campaign
PDS’ action on the condo conversion ordinance
Discussion about Community Service in our Schools
Planning for our 2009 Annual [...]

PDS Vice Chair Rachel Heller sent around information about the Democratic Party Caucuses scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5th (see below). Readers may be wondering “Why bother to go to an “issues” convention … or to the Caucus where delegates are elected? Here are my thoughts on why it’s worth our time.

[ February 5, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] According to “Latest News” on the website of the Somerville Democratic City Committee www.SomDems.org :
The Ward Caucuses to elect delegates to the 2009 State Convention in Springfield will be held on Thursday, February 5th at 7pm with the exception of Ward Five which will be at 8:00 p.m. at the same location. The caucuses will [...]

This sounds like a proactive and timely step on the part of the mayor, but is this “outside” panel of “experts” truly a good source of guidance for our city in these dire times?

Seriously, I am feeling like celebrating.  Our friend Seth Itzkan (Planet Tech, Davis Sq.) took off for DC yesterday at dawn.  He said that they would be closing the roads after that so you couldn’t get in later if you wanted to.  He left on the Lucky Star bus from Boston, and caught the NYDC [...]

[ January 27, 2009; 6:45 pm to 8:45 pm. ] [Note, I am the Endorsements Chair of PDS - Barry]

Come out to the first meeting of the new year!

What: PDS January Meeting
When: Tuesday, January 27th – 6:45pm to 8:45pm
Where: Visiting Nurses Association, Community Room, 259 Lowell Street, Somerville
Agenda includes:

upcoming campaign and candidate training
endorsement discussion on the condo coversion ordinance
PDS’ campaign on how Somerville will [...]

[ January 20, 2009; 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. ] Rep. Denise Provost and I invite people to join us in a celebratory inauguration lunch at Orleans Restaurant in Davis Square on Jan. 20 at 11:30. There will be a large-screen TV tuned to the inauguration, and lunch will be Dutch treat.

A lot of people worked hard for our new president, and would like to [...]

A focus group of Civil and DisAbilities Rights advocates will join with the longest-running TV Access producers group in the country during Civil Rights Week in MA to tackle the challenges of designing equal opportunity communities.

I’ve been reviewing some of the reasons Obama will need to be pushed if he is going to be a progressive President, and some of the major areas in which we need to push him. The key thing is, we can’t wait.

Over the last five years, the city has seemed to be augmenting its revenue by issuing me one trash citation after another, often for no cause… It has become clear to me that this city government is rife with nepotism and cronies who are willing to lie in order to protect each other’s misconduct and dishonesty.

To the Charter Review Committee, I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to give testimony at your November 10th public hearing. I hope you are not discouraged that, from mildly to passionately, all but one person who spoke was critical of your preliminary recommendations.

I don’t agree with his accusatory tone–I think most people voted for Obama with their eyes open–but Sam Smith has “listed nearly three dozen things that Obama supports or opposes with which no good liberal or progressive would agree.” Most prominent among them to my perspective:

[ November 25, 2008; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] And now, a meeting announcement from the Chair of the Progressive Democrats of Somerville…
HEY PDSers…

Come to our November meeting at the VNA at 259 Lowell Street on Tuesday, November 25th from 6:30 to 8:30.

Topics include:

Celebrating the election of BARACK OBAMA!!!!
Union Square Zoning Update
Condo Conversion Endorsement Discussion
Charter Committee Recommendation Update
Election of Vacant Positions on the Steering Committee
and [...]

How do we in Somerville know that the Obama administration will be under pressure to cave to corporations? I couldn’t say it any better than Derrick Jackson did in the Globe…

Progressives in Somerville, as elsewhere, have invested a lot of hope in an Obama presidency. After the Bush administration’s systematic attack on rights, liberties, and the common good, Obama can hardly help doing better! Yet on some of the most basic issues, Obama has been silent.

[ November 19, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] [Posted on behalf of Alisa Wind]

Dear friends at Somerville Voices,

We would like you to join us at a special “What’s Next?” event with Noam Chomsky next Wednesday, Nov 19th. We would also like to encourage your organization to advertise in our program book to share your work with hundreds of viewers (please see below).

Although this [...]

Somerville went heavily for Obama in the last election. Now we have to push him to make good on some of his promises; where he doesn’t go far enough, to go further; where he is silent, to speak up and act; and where he is wrong, to change.

On key issues, Obama either doesn’t go far enough, or he hasn’t said anything at all… I could go on and on, but you probably have an example of your own. What issues are most important to you, and how does Obama address them but fall short? Along with pressing the new administration to keep its promises, we have to make them exceed them. WE have to. They won’t do it on their own.

One week ago, Somerville went overwhelmingly for Obama-Biden. To keep the promises made by the Obama campaign, the Obama Administration will need all the help it can get. We in Somerville should do our part to help–and to keep the politicians honest.

Here is a very partial and incomplete list of campaign promises that I think Obama should keep:

In anticipation of next week’s public hearing on Charter Reform, Fred Berman and Bill Bumpus interviewed local activist Bill Shelton, who favors a City Manager form of government, as compared with our current “Strong Mayor” form of government…..

The results of last night’s election are about as good as I could have wished. Obama-Biden won by a large enough margin that no amount of cheating could affect the outcome. Democrats widened their lead in Congress, and progressives held onto their seats. There’s still a chance that Al Franken could become the next Senator from Minnesota. Most important to me personally, Massachusetts voted 2-1 against eliminating the state income tax.

As promised here is the latest and greatest from Somerville Community Access Television. Check out the footage from the Community Arts Festival and from a Nepali Community Event. See a separate posting for the interview with Bill Shelton about Charter Reform on Fred Berman and Bill Bumpus’ Monday evening show, Progressive Voices.

Rev. Molly Baskette, Senior Minister of First Church Somerville UCC, asked us to post this for her:
On November 4, you will be making one of the most important political decisions of your life. It’s not McCain vs. Obama. It’s the decision about whether or not to repeal the state income tax in Massachusetts.
The last time [...]

[ November 2, 2008; 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. ] This Sunday, the Progressive Democrats of Somerville are headed up to New Hampshire with the Cambridge and Somerville for Obama group. The Cambridge and Somerville for Obama group has been doing fantastic work and just last Sunday, sent 130 canvassers up to New Hampshire!

[ November 4, 2008; 10:00 pm; November 5, 2008; 8:00 am to 10:00 am. ] Hi Gang, for those of you yearning for alternative media coverage of the big day November 4th … keep reading, we have the answer.

Hi Gang, for those of you yearning for alternative media coverage of the big day November 4th …. keep reading, we have the answer.

[ November 11, 2008; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Click here for the article with details.

SMUJP (Somerville-Medford United for Justice with Peace) invites you to a post-election dialogue: thoughts on the election results and implications for the Somerville and Medford progressive community. We hope to define three key areas to focus on going forward, relating to peace, economic justice and local issues. This open, nonpartisan conversation will start with brief presentations and move to lots of discussion. We hope you can join us!

Hi Gang… lot going on since my last post. Later this week I will have a massive update, but, in the meantime I wanted to share the latest episode of the Progressive Voices TV program here at SCAT. Fred Berman and Bill Bumpus have as their guest: Harris Gruman to talk about Question one on the upcoming November Ballot. See the video below.

More than most cities and towns, the city of Somerville and its public schools rely very heavily on state aid. In fact, this year, state aid makes up more than half (58 percent) of the Somerville schools’ budget. This much-needed money would be cut drastically if Question 1 passes, eliminating the state income tax. According to one estimate by groups including the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, our schools could lose as much as 90 percent of its aid if Question 1 passes, and our city could lose 65 percent.

This year’s third annual HONK! Festival from Oct. 10 – 12 was an exuberant street party!

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville have weighed in on two key ballot questions and the uncontested State House seats in the November election.

[ October 11, 2008; 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. ] Stand Up for Peace in the Middle East
BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!
Visit our website: http://oct11boston.org

Music at 11, Rally at noon, March at 2 pm
Boston Common Parade Grounds (Entrance on Beacon and Charles St.)

Join thousands of New England anti-war activists on Oct. 11th 2008 at noon on Boston Common for a rally with music, cultural performers, [...]

Somerville Ward 5 Alderman Sean O’Donovan was defeated in last night’s Democratic Caucus for Register of Probate of Middlesex County despite his supporters’ attempts to deceive other delegates into believing that he had been endorsed by third-place candidate Maria Sheehy. O’Donovan finished in second place to Medford attorney Tara DeChristofaro…

[ October 4, 2008; 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] From the homepage of the Somerville Democratic City Committee www.SomDems.org :
Our first annual Somerville Democratic City Committee Picnic has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 4th, from noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 30 Washington Street. All Somerville Democrats are welcome.

On September 16th, our campaign made history, winning an incredibly challenging write-in campaign. To the many campaign volunteers and supporters, and to the hard-working wardens, police officers, and other elections officials and staff, I would like to say thank you. I also want to thank my challenger, Alderman Bob Trane, for running a spirited campaign. But most of all, I want to thank all of you who cast your vote on September 16th.

The Committee to Re-Elect Rep. Carl Sciortino today announced the launch of a new website and mailing to residents of Somerville and Medford to raise awareness about Rep. Sciortino’s write-in campaign for re-election on September 16th.

At a fundraiser for his reelection campaign at Sabur Restaurant this evening, Representative Carl Sciortino got some strongly worded support from Governor Deval Patrick, and announced that an upcoming environmental bond bill would include two million dollars for improvements to Somerville’s largest open space, Foss Park.…

Here’s just a short post to encourage folks to take a listen to the Open Media Boston interview with incumbent Representative Carl Sciortino. I was lucky to stumble upon it!

I certainly agree with Barry’s post of 7/15/08 in this SomervilleVoices blog entitled, “City’s Commission Staffing Plan Hurts Human Services.” Three questions seem particularly germane to this issue: 1. Are Somerville’s municipal resources distributed equally and fairly to all residents? 2. Are all residents offered equal participation within public programs, without regard to differences in age, income, birth culture, abilities, religions, race, gender, job status, or city address? 3. Do certain Somerville residents experience social and economic inequities that would support the fuller engagement and investigation of the specialized Human Rights Commissions?

[ July 17, 2008; 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. ] The Mayor has called a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen to create two new Deputy Chief of Police positions that he then wants to take out of civil service. Without any community input or community process on the impact of creating two new politically appointed positions in the leadership of the police department, the Mayor is pushing the Board of Aldermen to agree to their removal from the civil service process.

I share Melissa McWhinney’s concerns about the impact of the Mayor’s new commission staffing reorganization on the quality of the city’s human services. The HRC and other commissions should not have to compete with each other for staff services as they now do under the new arrangement.

[ July 29, 2008; 8:30 pm; ] Please join us for a wonderful evening of folk, rock, pop, and jazz music to benefit Veterans For Peace and Iraq Veterans Against The War. The benefit will be on Tuesday, July 29 at 8:30 PM at Johnny D’s, 17 Holland St. Davis Square Somerville. Performers include Celia Slattery, Deb Pasternak, Porch Party Mamas, Media Made, and Katrina Degel Jazz Quartet. Admission is $15.

I would like to briefly explain why I will NOT be participating in the “No Attack on Iran” demo in the hope that it might provide some food for thought for PDSers (of which I am one) and others on the left. First off, I am against an attack on Iran – by the U.S. and/or Israel. But…the way this particular demo is framing the issue is – unfortunately – all too typical these days (on the left).

[ July 19, 2008; 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. ] At a time when voices calling for real diplomacy and negotiations are being silenced, it is up to us to speak out clearly against another illegal war, which would be a catastrophe for all involved.

[ July 22, 2008; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] You are invited to attend a reception for State Representative Carl Sciortino, candidate for re-election in the 34th Middlesex District, featuring Governor Deval Patrick.

Tuesday, July 22
7:00 – 9:00 pm
Sabur Restaurant
212 Holland St., Teele Square, Somerville

Suggested donation: $30 $150 $300 $500

We hope to see you there!…

[ July 16, 2008; 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. ] Come to the Somerville/Cambridge General Election Kick Off Event at Precinct in Union Square this coming Wednesday, July 16th! Have fun, get plugged in and learn how we’re going to win!

PDS has endorsed Rep. Carl Sciortino for re-election in the 34th Middlesex District (Somerville/Medford) House race. PDS members were impressed by Rep. Sciortino’s hard work on behalf of the district on a variety of issues including working for increased local aid for education, advocating for the extension of the Green Line and his continued efforts on behalf of all the residents of the district.

[ July 9, 2008; 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ]

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone will hold Community Office Hours on Wednesday, July 9th from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Diesel Café in Davis Square. Residents can…

Who says all summer reading lists have to be filled with fluff? CAAS, the Community Action Agency of Somerville, is offering a summer reading list about poor people and people rising out of poverty–and what we can all do to help. “There is something on this list for every reader”

The National Council on Disability (NCD) is gathering public input for a study of emerging issues and trends affecting the lives of people with disabilities. Information gathered will be used in the development of NCD’s next annual progress report to the President and Congress, “National Disability Policy: A Progress Report,” which is required by Section 401(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

[ June 23, 2008; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] There will be a Public Hearing before the Board of Aldermen on Monday, June 23, 2008, at 6:30 PM, in the Aldermen’s Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, on the Order of Alderman Maryann M. Heuston, Chairman of the Committee on Finance, for public input on the proposed FY 2009 budget. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND AND BE HEARD.

[ June 24, 2008; 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. ] Come out to the next PDS Meeting:

Tuesday, June 24th at 7:30pm at the College Avenue United Methodist Church on Chapel Street.

PLEASE NOTE: We have moved our meeting to start a little later so interested people can attend the Union Square Zoning Meeting that starts at 6pm.

Check out our June meeting which will…

[ June 25, 2008; 6:30 pm; ] Somerville Democratic City Committee Public Meeting, all are welcome!

[ June 11, 2008; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Attorney General Martha Coakley will be our guest speaker on Wednesday from 6 – 8 pm at the Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Road in Somerville, at the corner of Central Street, just south of Highland Ave. There’ll be music by Michelle Nover and Pamela Ambrose of the Winchester Community Music School. And of…

[ June 9, 2008; 8:00 pm; ] The Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) invites you for a night of trivia, food and good company.

TRIVIA NIGHT at Johnny D’s – 17 Holland Street in Davis Square
Monday, June 9th
8:00pm – Trivia Night with Free Pizza
Come on down and join a PDS team in the ever so popular Trivia Night!

If you have…

This week, the Progressive Democrats of Somerville officially launched their endorsement process for the upcoming round of state elections. Invitations were emailed to candidates in local contested races: Rep. Carl Sciortino and Ald. Bob Trane in the 34th Middlesex (Somerville/Medford) House race and Patrick McCabe, Jim Caralis, and Rep. Paul Donato in the 35th Middlesex…

From the 1950s, through the 1970s, well over half of Somerville’s long-term residents permanently left the city. The first clearly identifiable group of newcomers who replaced them was Portuguese immigrants.

The attraction of Somerville’s affordable housing, Irish and Italian enclaves, and thriving industrial economy made it the most densely populated American city in the middle of the last century. Its 170 manufacturing plants provided wages sufficient to support a family, often with only one parent working.

Check out this link about PDS’ Annual Meeting. Progressive Dems are ready to kick off another year of empowering community residents to get involved and advocate for the issues they care about.

Bill Shelton’s post made me wonder… is an ecological politics possible in Somerville?

Do you want to help set the direction for Somerville’s anti-poverty agency? The Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) is seeking candidates—and voters—for its Board elections, coming up the week of May 19th at two locations in Somerville.

When a region’s climate changes over long periods, its ecosystems change as well. Woodlands can become grasslands, tundra or desert. This process involves prolonged conflict between differing plant and animal groups, and between how they change their environment by living and propagating. Even if they were conscious, they would not see themselves [...]

It isn’t often that the words “surplus” and “parking” are associated with Davis Square. But the request currently before the Board of Alderman to declare three municipal parking lots surplus property in our hippest square does that as well as bring up the long simmering, but little acknowledged question of responsible management of city owned real estate.…