Dear Neighbor,
Here's some pre-election news, including my recommendations for two ballot questions in Somerville, and recordings of recent candidate forums. More Senate news soon.
LOCAL BALLOT QUESTIONS
Here's information from my last newsletter about charter change ballot questions in Cambridge and Medford:
Cambridge's proposed charter change is here, and a report on it from Cambridge Day here.
Medford's info is here, with a comparison of new and old charters here.
HOW I'M VOTING ON SOMERVILLE QUESTIONS
I'm voting Yes on Question One, updating the city's 1899 charter. Here's the city's information on it. And here's a comprehensive explanation of the process and content of the charter change, prepared by the committee supporting it. I strongly support Question One. Our outdated charter is the reason we in the legislature are constantly asked to file home rule petitions allowing the city to change individual bits of the charter. There are important changes, such as an independent audit, counsel and staff for the city councilors, and more transparency in the budget process.
Question Two would extend the mayor's term to four years. I don't have a recommendation on that one.
I'm voting YES on Question 3, the "Palestine Solidarity Question." This is an advisory, non-binding question. The text is:
"Shall the Mayor of Somerville and all Somerville elected leaders be instructed to end all current city business and prohibit future city investments and contracts with companies as long as such companies engage in business that sustains Israel’s apartheid, genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine?”
Question 3 is an effort by people in Somerville to find ways to end the destruction and death in Gaza and the West Bank. They are trying to help build a movement across the country as was done in the case of South African apartheid. Hundreds of volunteers gathered thousands of signatures to put this question on the ballot.
Somerville For Palestine's summary and response to questions is here. Unfortunately, a well-funded group has been sending false and confusing mailings, which never say what the question says. That group has attempted at the local and court levels to keep the question off the ballot, even after people have started voting.
Question 3 is non-binding. So if it passes, city leaders will decide whether and how to carry it out. They could shift the contract for school computers to a different company. The current vendor is involved in surveillance in the West Bank. They could tell construction companies bidding to pave our streets that they can’t use Caterpillar equipment, because Cat supplies bulldozers that destroy Palestinian homes.
To me, the question is, do we want our city to help fund genocide and apartheid?
RECORDINGS OF CAMBRIDGE CANDIDATE FORUMS:
All forums recorded by CCTV for city council and school committee can be found here:
RECORDINGS OF MEDFORD CANDIDATE FORUMS:
Medford City Council Forum by Medford Democratic City Committee
Medford School Committee Forum by Medford Democratic City Committee
Medford Community Media Candidate Profiles: Mayor, Council, School Committee
Medford Patch has been running profiles of city council candidates
RECORDINGS OF SOMERVILLE CANDIDATE FORUMS:
Somerville Media Center Mayoral forum
Somerville Media Center City Council forum
Always glad to hear from you!
Pat Jehlen