Dear Neighbors and Friends,
Election day is in just 3 weeks on November 8th! Along with my dedicated team of volunteers, I am out every day talking to voters to about my story, my vision for Cambridge, and my belief that government should be honest, transparent, and responsive.
When I was first elected two years ago I didn't set out to pass the most legislation or hold the most committee hearings or to become involved in so many different issues. I just set out to be as responsive to residents as I could be, help them bring their ideas to life, and solve problems. I've focused on doing whatever I can, day by day, to try and make Cambridge an even better place to live. Here are just a few examples of what we've accomplished together:
- GOOD GOVERNMENT - Introduced a rules change requiring the City Council to post any City Manager's contract before voting on it;
- HOUSING & DEVELOPMENT - Voted to fully fund affordable housing in Cambridge throughout the entire city, and worked with community members to ensure development that fits sensibly into their neighborhoods;
- COMMUNITY FEEL - Fought to protect and enhance Cambridge's community feel by advocating for open space, supporting funding for community gardens, and making parks more usable and inviting with WiFi and BBQs;
- CRIME AND SAFETY - Introduced the now award-winning BridgeStat, a process and report that uses statistical analysis to predict crime, stop criminals, and keep residents informed;
- ECONOMIC EQUITY - Stood with community members in fighting for fair pay, healthcare, and keeping jobs local;
- LOCAL BUSINESS - Worked with Cambridge Local First to create the 1st ever local economy week to promote locally owned and independently operated businesses; also worked with State Treasurer Steve Grossman to revise Cambridge's standard practices to keep taxpayer money in local banks instead of banks abroad;
- JOB CREATION - held the first ever joint hearing of the Boston and Cambridge City Councils to develop joint strategies for attracting jobs to the region;
- ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY - Introduced common sense measures for Cambridge to do its part, such as funding for green taxis, bike sharing, and single stream recycling;
- PROMOTING CAMBRIDGE - Formed the public/private/academic partnership that created the Entrepreneur Walk of Fame in Kendall Square, which received national attention promoting Cambridge as the home of innovation and entrepreneurship.
None of these initiatives would have happened without your help and participation; they all started with ideas I received from members of our community. That's why my top campaign promise is to continue being responsive, continue trying to solve people's problems, and continue working with residents on bringing their ideas to life. It would be a priveledge to have the opportunity to continue doing everything I can to make Cambridge an even better to live, which is why I'm asking for your number 1 vote this November 8th.
Volunteer with the Campaign
You never know who you'll meet on the campaign trail! Please come join me for a phone bank or a canvass .
* Open House and Volunteer Nights *
You can meet the team and other volunteers, help yourself to a yard sign and stickers, and sign up for future campaign events. You can also participate in a phonebank right there. Refreshments will be provided.
- Thursday, Oct 20th, 5:30 pm to 8pm
- Sunday, Oct 22th, 4:00 pm to 7pm
We will be heading out in groups into the community to build up support, get out the vote, and discuss issues that matter to you. You can also join us for part of the day to help flier the area.
- Saturday, Oct 22nd, 10am - 2pm
- Saturday, Oct 29nd, 10am - 2pm
Please email Aaron at
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, call us at 617-902-0349, or sign up here to learn more and get involved. With your voice we can continue the great work we've started together.
Wellesley Democrats in Action
Thank you to the Wellesley Democrats for helping me canvass last Saturday. I was so impressed by their hard work, dedication and enthusiam for local politics and government. In a few years, these young women will be tomorrow's leaders and I am lucky to have had their help.
City Council Update * NOTE NEW LOCATION *
Due to an elevator outage at City Hall, tonight's City Council meeting has been moved to CRLS (at 459 Broadway by the Library).
Tonight's agenda features one very important committee report from Ordinance Committee Chair Seidel on the Bishop Petition, which I support. The Bishop petition would help ensure that anticipated development in North Cambridge fits in with the neighborhood and community. The Council has received a flury of letters of support from residents, which you can read here.
On the agenda from the City Manager are several appropriations which I whole heartedly support: the appropriation of a grant from DHS to provide transportation for Cambridge seniors to medical appointments and weekly food shopping trips; the appropriation of a grant from the Cambridge Community Foundation to provide ongoing support to families that have participated in Baby U; an appropriation to expand support for Pre-K in Cambridge (I believe Cambridge should offer Pre-K to all Cambridge kids, not just those lucky enough to win the school choice lottery); and an appropriation of funds from the Comcast empire to support CCTV and our public access channels.
Over the past few months I've been advocating on behalf of Cambridge cab drivers for better support from the Police Department. On a cab ride to the airport one early morning (before the T opened) I learned that if a cab picks up in Boston the drivers are hit with $500 fines and taken to jail. Undercover Boston police wil even jump in cabs stopped at red lights and shout an address while pretending to be on the phone to entrap drivers. I've been asking the Cambridge police to help level the playing field. Cab driving is a difficult and sometimes dangerous job often taken by immigrants trying to make a life of their own in this country. I'm delighted to announce I've won a legislative victory and succeeded in having the Cambridge Police Department institute a new policy of better supporting our cab industry.
Finally, I'm submitting several Policy Orders tonight. The majority are in response to concerns residents have raised to me in recent weeks:
- replacing brick sidewalk near the library that was asphalted over;
- upkeep of the Cambridge Common;
- enabling residents to exert influence over where bus shelters are placed;
- improving traffic safety at Follen St & Little Concord;
- expanding job training programs for Cambridge youth;
- addressing speeding near Brattle & Appleton
- implementing validated parking at the Third Street garage for restaurants;
- exploring traffic calming measures for Richdale & Whittemore Aves; and
- preventing MIT from putting their faciliites depot right next to Cambridgeport.
I'm also partnering with Councillor Simmons on exploring the idea of turning an unused building along the Charles into a Musuem that serves as a repository of Cambridge history.
Gen44 Obama Fundraiser - Tomorrow Night!
Although I'm very busy with my own re-election, I strongly believe in re-electing President Obama and getting more young democrats involved in the political process. That's why I'm taking time out on October 18th to co-host a Gen44 fundraiser for the President's re-election campaign at Tommy Doyle's in Harvard Square on Tuesday, October 18th starting at 7pm. Tickets are 3/4 sold out so RSVP now to meet the former personal assistants to President Obama and David Axlerod, now at HLS. Tickets are $44; $25 for students.
Please RSVP here and let's go into 2012 strong!
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