| Home | Contact | Donate | Press | Suzanne's Story |
May
2011
Somerbridge v. Camberville, or, Can Somerville Keep it's Cool?
The recent dust-up between Mayor Joe Cutatone and Cambridge City Councilor Ken
Reeves raises the question, which is the more interesting city? Somerville or
Cambridge? Of course Somerville is. With our commitment to
diversity, our strong sense of civic pride, and our remarkable authenticity, to
suggest otherwise is downright silly. However, with the extension of the
Green Line, the coming of Ikea and the development of Assembly
Square, will we
be able to maintain our high rate of hip? Can we avoid the fate of
Cambridge and not become, to borrow Mayor Curtatone's spot-on comparison,
another Natick?
Extending the Green Line through Somerville will improve access to downtown
Boston. With an easier commute, housing in our authentic neighborhoods become
far more desirable. Will the higher costs of housing displace the artists
and musicians that Mayor Joe cites in his spirited defense of our city?
Without affordable apartments for rent, will future Presidents be able to live
in Somerville, while they study in Cambridge?
Will the opening of Ikea generate jobs for our residents and opportunities for
local businesses? (Someone has to sell them the ground beef for all those
meatballs, why not McKinnon's?) Will the traffic generated by Ikea bring
shoppers to our hip squares, or will our streets be merely part of the passing
scenery?
Who will build the new Assembly Square? Local tradesmen? Or by drivers of pick
up trucks with New Hampshire license plates? Will the residences in
Assembly Square be luxury, high-rise, one and two bedroom condos? Or will
they be family friendly three and four bedroom apartments and townhouses?
While market forces may seem insurmountable, and many changes inevitable, we can
shape our city's future. We
can preserve affordable housing by increasing the percentage of affordable units
in new developments from the current 12.5% to 15%.
We can build on the success of Clarendon Hill Towers and encourage the
creation of tenant owned housing complexes.
We can regulate the rate of conversion of rental apartments to
condominiums.
First Source Hiring and Local Business Enterprise policies, like those enacted
in East Palo Alto, California, would require large retailers such as Ikea to
hire a certain percentage of local residents, and make a good faith effort to
source goods and services from local businesses.
We can preserve the distinct qualities of our squares and business
districts by limiting the numbers of chain stores and franchises through a
Formula Trade Ordinance as Chatham on Cape Cod did in 2009.
We can ensure that local tradesmen will build local public and private
developments by putting in place a Residents Job Policy similar to the
ordinances that have been on the books in Boston since the mid 1980s.
Without question, Somerville is cool, hip and happening.
Without question, preserving our cool, hip and happening status requires
careful thought, deliberate planning, hard work, and an unshakable belief in the
unique quality of our city and the people who live here.
Best,
Suzanne
April
2011
When our newspaper headlines are dominated by unemployment figures and budget
shortfalls at all levels of government, one can't help but think about
economics. Gross Domestic Product, balance of trade, Federal Reserve policy -
the big picture, macro level of economics seems somehow distant, and abstract.
What about here in Somerville? What does our local economy look like? And
what does our future hold?
In the recent "Laying the Groundwork for the Next Economic
Cycle" presentation
to the Board of Aldermen, the city's Office of Strategic Planning and Community
Development (OSPCD) reported that over the last 20 years there has been almost
no job growth in Somerville. The presentation concludes that Somerville is at
a pivotal moment in its history, and that financial sustainability and our
quality of life requires thousands of new jobs here in our city.
Where will these jobs come from? The OSPCD presentation suggests that we
identify the next wave of innovation and build relationships necessary to
attract these industries to Somerville. While it is exciting to think of
having the headquarters of the next Google or Genzyme here, encouraging
and protecting locally owned businesses may be a reliable economic
engine. A 2008 study
of the economy of Grand Rapids, Michigan found that for every $100 spent at
a locally owned business, $32 left the local economy; of the $100 spent at a non
locally owned business, $57 left the area. We don't need to wait for the
Green Line extension, or the arrival of the next new technology to do this.
Through our city's ordnances we can limit the number of big box stores.
We, like Boston, can require
public and private developers to employee local residents first. We can, as Somerville
Local First suggests, shift our shopping to support locally owned
businesses. Failure to do so jeopardizes our financial sustainability and our
quality of life.
Best,
Suzanne
March 2011
What a winter! Five major storms - mountains of snow, schools closed, traffic a mess, parking impossible, walking hazardous, and shoveling - endless shoveling. In the hours spent wielding my Ames True Temper Avalanche Ergo snow shovel, I thought in increments. When I clear the sidewalk as far as the tree, I'll take a break...four more shovels full and then I'll chat with the neighbor.... when the front walk is done, I'll stop for coffee. The snow wasn't cleared all at once - but incrementally, one shovel full at a time. Slow, steady, and consistent progress moved mountains of snow.
Over the last several years, the City of Somerville has rolled out large, ambitious plans for Union Square. Making Webster and Prospect two way streets, flipping the plaza to the south side of the square, changing Washington Street to two ways as it passes through the Square, have been explored as options. Woonerfs and District Improvement Financing programs have been part of the discussion that will some day bring parking garages, bicycle lanes, a Green Line station to our square.
But what about now? Are there small, incremental changes that could be made now that will eventually lead to the successful future of this important part of our city? Could the timing of walk signals be changed so that crossing the square becomes less of a foot race? Could the Somerville Community Access Television Building be properly maintained so that a bit more of commercial space might be available? Would it be possible to further streamline the business permitting process so that a little bit economic development might come a little sooner?
Incremental improvements - something to think about as we watch for the first signs of spring.
Best,
Suzanne
Fall 2010
October brings an end to the Farmers Market in Union Square. It has been a banner year for what has become a high point in our community. This season saw a near doubling of the number of people who shop in the market on Saturday mornings, the introduction of credit card payments, and the reintroduction of the acceptance of SNAP cards. SNAP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps) is part of the safety net that helps those below, at and near the poverty line to remain afloat.
The gulf between rich and poor in our country continues to widen. A recent article in USA Today reports that the top 20% of Americans receive 49% of the income generated by our economy, while those living in poverty receive 3.4% of our domestic income. Among the Western industrialize nations, the US has the greatest disparity between rich and poor.
We can see the outlines of this "winner takes all" approach here in Somerville. The city's proposal to outsource the school janitors' jobs, and the Zoning Board's rejection of the Somerville Community Corporation project to build six affordable apartments at 162 Highland Avenue, strongly suggest that the gap between our vision of ourselves as a city that values diversity, and the city that we are actually building may be a very wide indeed. I hope that you will join me in building a city that values people based on the content of their character and not the size of their bank account.
Regards,
Suzanne
August, 2010
Last month I had the opportunity to speak before the Zoning Board of Appeals in support of the Somerville Community Corporation's plan to convert 162 Highland Avenue into six affordable housing units. While there are concerns about the density created by this project, we must allow for a distinction to be made between the construction of new properties, and the density of necessity for sheltering families who currently live in motel rooms. This project renovates an existing building, it does not alter the building's footprint, it does not diminish our city's open space. To argue against this project because there is not one parking space for each of the proposed units, ignores SCC's research, which shows that of the 50 families eligible to apply to live in these apartments, less than half actually own cars. It seems almost cynical to get caught up on deeded parking when the objective of this project is to keep families having to live in their cars. I strongly urge the Zoning Board to vote in favor of this important project.
At a recent farmers market in Union Square, Community Cooks offered delicious treats to passers-by. Drawn in by the snacks, I learned for nearly 20 years, the Community Cooks, group of volunteers of Somerville and Cambridge residents, have provided home cooked meals to shelters and service programs in our communities. Once a month, each volunteer makes a meal and delivers it to a drop-off point. Seizing the chance to combine two of my favorite things to do - cooking and supporting our community, I signed up, and am looking forward to making my world famous lentil stew for those in the programs supported by Community Cooks.
Regards,
Suzanne
July, 2010
Last month I had the great honor of being introduced at the Democratic State Convention along with my classmates from Emerge Massachusetts. If you are a Democratic woman who might be considering running for public office, I highly recommend the Emerge training program as an effective way to learn the nuts and bolts of running for office, and gain from the experiences of some of the dynamic and progressive women and men who currently serve as elected officials in our Commonwealth.
Also last month, in an attempt to close the city's $8.1 million budget gap, the Mayor proposed outsourcing custodial services in our schools. I strongly oppose this proposal. In the short term, it undermines the city's relationship to its rank and file employees, and puts the jobs of hard working Somerville residents at risk. In the long term, moving civil service jobs into the private sector, exacerbates the growing gap between rich and poor in our country. I had the opportunity to voice opposition to this plan before the Board of Aldermen, Committee on Finance on June 22. Unfortunately, the Mayor's proposal was approved by the Board of Aldermen by a vote of 6 to 4 on Thursday, June 24. All signs indicate that the union which represents the custodians will pursue legal action, which will require the city to respond. Is it wise to spend time and tax payers' money on anti-labor litigation? Is it wise to take such a blunt position with organized labor when the city's financial future depends on concessions on health care coverage from the 17 unions that represent the city's employees? These are worrisome developments.
Regards,
Suzanne
June 2010
Longer days, warmer weather, the end of the school year - many good things happen in June, including the Union Square Farmers Market. Opening day is Saturday, June 5th, (from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm) and this year the Market will accept cash, EBT/SNAP, credit card and Farmers Market WIC coupons. The Farmers Market is the signature event of Union Square Main Streets, a public-private partnership committed to enhancing the the Union Square business district and surrounding neighborhoods.
On June 4th and 5th, I'll be attending the Massachusetts Democratic Party
State Convention in Worchester. I'm proud to be representing Ward 3, and pleased
to be supporting
Suzanne Bump for Auditor - This a
important position has the power to audit any state agency. The
misapplication of this watchdog function could seriously impede the ability of
state agencies to do their jobs. With her integrity, commitment to public
service and extensive experience in business and government, Bump will keep her
promise to count dollars and make change as State Auditor; and
Steve Grossman for Treasurer - A Somerville business owner,
Grossman has been a leader in creating a progressive workplace, and at the
forefront of sustainable business practices. His comprehensive three part
plan to address the Commonwealth's $22 billion pension liability, support of the
rights of corporate shareholders to have a say on executive pay, and commitment
to financial education will put Massachusetts on the road to financial
stability.
Also, on Saturday, June 26th from noon until 4:00 pm, my good friend and neighbor Brandy Brooks and I will be hosting a block party here on Columbus Avenue in support of the Community Action Agency of Somerville. The mission of this fine organization is to end poverty where we live. Please come, bring a covered dish, and find out more about their important work. (Rain date: Sunday, June 27th).
Warm regards,
Suzanne
May 2010
Spring has come, and with it comes the opportunity to take part in the annual spring clean up on Saturday, May 8th from 10:00 to noon at locations throughout the city, followed by a cook-out at Nunziato Field and the Community Growing Center on Vinal Avenue. Details are here. Hope to see you there.
Our state representative, Denise Provost, has arranged for the Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on Revenue to include Somerville on its Listening Tour. On Monday, May 10, from 7 to 9 pm at the Alderman's Chamber at City Hall, everyone is invited to take part in a moderated discussion of the Commonwealth's tax policies. According to Rep. Provost, “We legislators hear regularly from constituents asking us to increase funding for, or at least level fund, local aid, education and other programs. These appeals must become conversations about funding and priorities, if they are to yield results that people want.”
One of my favorite things about Somerville is the Union Square Farmers Market. The leisurely pace of a summery Saturday morning, shopping for fresh vegetables, talking with the growers about how to cook an exotic green and the state of the corn and tomato crops, running into friends and catching up as the kids draw with sidewalk chalk and a bluegrass band plays, planning dinner around what looks good, what could be better? While we have to wait until next month for the market to open, (this year the market opens on Saturday, June 5th), a task force is exploring the possibility of a winter Farmers Market. If you haven't done so already, please take a minute to answer these survey questions.
Warm regards,
Suzanne
March/April 2010
Spring training has begun , which means that street sweepers aren't fair behind. April 1 is the official start date of street cleaning in Somerville. Boston Sweeper, a service provided by Boston.com, will send will send an e-mail reminder to your in-box in time for you to move your car. It could save you the cost of a grandstand seat at Fenway.
In February, I had the honor of being elected as a delegate from Ward 3 to the Democratic State Convention. The Convention, on June 5th and 6th, will be held in Worcester. At this important convention, we will nominate candidates for state-wide offices, including governor, treasurer, auditor and attorney general. This will be my first convention, and I'm very proud to be representing my Ward. Thank you so much to everyone who voted to send me to Worcester.
Several other members of the board of directors of the Community Action Agency of Somerville, (CAAS) and I have been working on a revision the organization's by laws, to better reflect how our city's leading anti-poverty agency functions. These are interesting times at CAAS; stimulus money has allowed us to expand staff and services to our neighbors who are caught in the economic downturn. CAAS has recently strengthen it's accounting and finance functions, so I am confident that these hard earned tax dollars are being well spent.
I've also been working with a remarkable group, Emerge Massachusetts, which is part of a national movement to address the under-representation of women in office at all levels of government.
Finally, as a life-long reader and dedicated librarian, I am looking forward to Somerville's participation in the One Book, One City program. The program, promotes reading, and community discussion through book talks, art exhibits, concerts and film festivals, all centered around one book. Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried (an excellent read!) has been selected, and the kick-off is a concert at the Center for Arts at the Armory (91 Highland Avenue) on Sunday, March 28th, 4:00 to 8:00. Admission is free. Hope to see you there.
Best,
Suzanne
Fees for Pre-Kindergarten Programs in Our Schools
Testimony before the Somerville School Committee
Monday, November 30, 2009
I want to thank the School Committee for holding this public hearing on the proposal to charge fees for the pre-kindergarten programs in the Somerville Public Schools. I appreciate your hard work, and earnest deliberations as you seek to guide our schools through the difficult times that lie ahead.
It has been pointed out that many of our neighboring communities charge for pre-k programs. I ask, do these school systems charge for other non-mandated, extra-curricular activities? Arlington, for example, charges for full day kindergarten as well as extra-curricular actives for middle and high school students.
In the past Somerville has charged for extra-curricular actives, and, I have been told that this was a dismal failure, driving away those students who most benefited from these important programs. I would suggest a different approach. Instead of having an individual pay to play, why not task the entire team, or orchestra or club with the responsibility to raise some or all of what it costs to run their program? Wouldn’t this approach reinforce the message of teamwork that these “extras” are trying to instill?
As everyone is aware, the peril of these times is that we end up pitting one group against another - the high school football player versus the pre schooler versus the middle school flutiest – who is the more worthy? Who is the most vulnerable? I ask you, as leaders in this community to take a broader approach, to examine fees for services in a comprehensive context.
Thank you,
Suzanne
* Choice is an educational program at the Healey School, founded on constructivist principles. Students work in mixed age and grade groups in learning projects that emphasize creativity, analytic reasoning and the arts in Grades 3-6, as well as looped classes in Grades 1-2, where students and teachers benefit from being together for two years. Family involvement in classroom education is highly encouraged. Controlled Choice is an enrollment plan that means that parents and guardians can enroll their students in any school in the system. When registering, a parent/guardian may pick a first, second and third choice of schools. Every effort is made to place the student in the first, second or third choice, based on current enrollment at the school, class size, the student’s need for services, and whether or not their sibling is in the school.
A Response to the Recent Discussion on Reforming the City's Charter
February 25, 2008
Over the last several years, Somerville has made impressive gains in improving the quality of city services. SomerStat, the One Call to City Hall program, Connect CTY and ResiStat are all cutting-edge tools that have significantly created new efficiencies in the delivery of city services. Mayor Curtatone's call for an examination of the city charter is another example of the Mayor's effort to model a model city government. Mayor Curtatone's eye toward innovation and efficiency, will, I believe, help the city during this continuing economic downturn.
Having a city manager, or chief operating officer, would further modernize our city's government. Like all cities, Somerville is complex. There are a lot of moving parts. It is unrealistic, and inefficient, to have one person - the Mayor - responsible for both setting and implementing the city's agenda. Our current structure - where everything crosses the chief executive officer's desk, will, in the long run, hold us back. As the demands of our times continue to increase, this flaw in the city's structure will hold us back, and may cause us to miss opportunities.
The Charter Advisory Committee is also considering changing the name of the city's representative body to City Council. This small name change, from Board of Alderman to City Council is a little thing that means a lot. No longer will we have to stubble over what to call Mss. Heuston and Gewirtz. Alderwoman Heuston? Alderman Rebekah? Councilor is a nice, one-size fits all salutation that is neither awkward or potentially offensive.
Encouraging voter participation and people's involvement is one
of the guiding principals of this Charter Advisory Committee. As the
results of our most recent national election so dramatically demonstrates,
voters get involved when they believe that their voice will be heard. Citizens
become engaged when they believe that what they do will make a difference.
Towards this end, a forward looking city charter should significantly enhance
the powers and responsibilities of our most representative body as it changes
from Board of Alderman to City Council. A strong city council would
provide an open setting for meaningful discussion of issues we face as a
community. A strong city council would also provide the checks and balances
needed to insure open and transparent government. To do otherwise
potentially undermines our well-earned reputation as a progressive city.
| Home | Contact
| Donate | Press | Suzanne's
Story |