I’ve learned there are problems with Substack. Specifically, the platform is helping really nasty people (nazis, white nationalists, and other hate groups) monetize their newsletters [1][2]. I don’t want anything to do with such a company, so I’ve moved to Beehiiv.
Police Body-Worn Cameras
The city is still mulling over police body worn cameras. I don’t see how I could rationalize voting for them at this time for a lot of reasons. The largest factor is that we just don’t have the budget to add nearly half a million dollars per year to the police budget for a program that doesn’t seem set up to properly deliver on the promise of transparency or accountability. You can read more about my position here: On Body-Worn Cameras
Welcoming Community Ordinance
The federal government is detaining people for writing op-eds and using any means it can to track constitutionally protected activity like protests. It's weaponizing immigration enforcement against entire communities. Somerville will not be a tool for any of that.
I co-wrote amendments to our Welcome Community Ordinance along with councilor Ewen-Campen (with councilor Hardt as co-sponsor). While the police and administration have been aligned with protecting our neighbors, these amendments put that alignment into law. Police are barred from acting on immigration status alone; the city's Law Department will review new contracts to make sure they don't create backdoor data-sharing with ICE or DHS; and municipal employees who report violations get whistleblower protections. The ordinance also protects other First Amendment activity, as we saw with Rümeysa Öztürk, the Tufts grad student seized in front of her Somerville home for an op-ed she wrote.
Read more in the Cambridge Somerville Independent or Somerville Times
Open Studios
Somerville Open Studios made the city proud again this year. My family and I spent four hours at the Vernon St. studios taking in work from over a hundred artists. Somerville is an art city. It's one reason why the city is so vibrant and interesting to live in. It's also something we need to protect, but I'll save that for a different newsletter.
Seeing art featured heavily through my childhood, thanks to my parents and grandparents, and now I get to do the same with my daughters. It's such a gift to enjoy the art, not just because it's wonderful, but because I can share this family value. If you missed it, make time for it next year.
My kids enjoying art… fueled by bowls of candy from generous artists
More to Look Out For
Free AC units for Somerville residents this summer. The Cooling East Somerville program (City + Culture House + Cambridge Health Alliance) prioritizes East Somerville residents with financial need or health risk factors. Includes delivery and installation if needed. Apply here.
Some of the AIM Program is Moving to Argenziano you can learn a bit more about that on the SEPAC website
On issue of 90 Washinton St, the city has entertained two proposals from developers to build housing. We are still in the early stages, but one proposal seems more Somerville than the other (hint: it’s the one that doesn’t have loads of parking while also being adjacent to the Greenline and Community Path. More on the 90 Washington City of Somerville Website
The city’s Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control Plan draft has been submitted to the MWRA. I’m still getting into the weeds on CSO, so expect to hear more about this from me. You can read more on the MWRA website
Happening Week and Next
7 May - Shore Drive Greenway - Virtual [register here] 6-7pm
8 May - Arbor Day Picnic - Lincoln Park 3-6pm
9 May - Porchfest - All Somerville
11 May - Slice of the City - Chuckie Harris Park (ward 1) 5-7pm
12 May - Slice of the City - Powder House Park (ward 6) 5-7pm
14 May - Somerville High School Art Show and Music Concert
16 May - Memorial Day Parade - starts at City Hall 11am
