Former East Somerville Community School Students Advocate for a New School at the State House

State House - Boston map
Somerville Journal article

When a three-alarm fire destroyed the East Somerville Community School over the weekend two years ago, hundreds of Somerville children were suddenly left without a school. Although we were all fortunate nobody was hurt in the blaze, the fire left hundreds of children spread across the Somerville school system missing their community school and their friends. This month, a day after the second anniversary of the fire, former students and teachers made their way to the State House to share their personal stories with Somerville legislators and advocate for immediate construction of a new school.

Roughly sixty 8th graders, who have been spread out across Somerville, joined principal Holly Hatch and other Somerville educators. Armed with their recent studies of government, letters to the Governor and legislators, and their personal stories, they gathered in State House Hearing Room B1 and made an impassioned case to fast-track the construction of a new school to replace the one they lost. Seven students and one teacher read their testimony to Representative Denise Provost, Representative Carl Sciortino, myself, and staff from the offices of Senators Patricia Jehlen and Anthony Galluccio.


ESCS student testifies to the Somerville delegation
photo credit: David Gordon, Somerville Journal

The entire delegation was impressed with the poise, courage, and maturity of the speakers and the students in attendance.

After presenting their testimony to the Somerville delegation, the students delivered letters to Governor Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). By establishing an organized coalition of Somerville legislators, educators, and personally affected residents and then targeting the key decision-makers, these 8th graders demonstrated that they have taken their studies of government seriously. This is how effective advocacy works.

The next step will be taken by the MSBA, which will certify the number of enrolled students and determine the scope of the project. It is still uncertain whether the school will be built entirely from scratch or whether sections will be salvaged and updated. The Somerville School system will need to figure out the best use of the money from the MSBA.

Our goal remains the same: we want a safe community school in East Somerville equipped with modern facilities. My office, along with the Somerville delegation, will be in continued talks with Mayor Curtatone and will continue the advocacy work started by these students with the state and the MSBA.

Their visit also included a guided tour of the State House and photos in front of the golden dome and at the Grand Staircase.

photo credit: David Gordon, Somerville Journal

2009 Municipal Election Voter Information

The 2009 municipal elections will be held this Tuesday, November 3rd (tomorrow!). Voters will have the opportunity to decide who will serve the next term on the Cambridge City Council, the Somerville Board of Aldermen, and the School Committees of both Cambridge and Somerville.

Cambridge will have heavy competition with 20 candidates on the ballot (for 9 City Council seats), along with one incumbent write-in candidate. This represents a large increase from the previous municipal election in 2007, when 15 people ran. Hopefully the increase in candidates will be matched by an increase in voter turnout. There are 9 candidates for 6 School Committee seats.

In Somerville there are fewer challengers this cycle. The Board of Aldermen (11 seats) will have two challengers: one for an At-large seat and one for Alderman of Ward 6. The School Committee has two challengers for the 7 seats: one in Ward 4 and one in Ward 5.

The most important thing to do is to get out there and exercise your right to participate in our city government. Here are a few frequently asked questions, but please let me know if you have any further questions.

Where do I vote?
There are dozens of polling locations in Cambridge and Somerville, and yours should be very close to your home address. To help you find your polling location, the state elections division has created an online resource:
wheredoivotema.com

Enter your address in the form, being careful to only enter what each section asks for. If you run into trouble but you need to find out where to vote, please contact me at (617) 722-2380 or call the elections division directly at (617) 727-2828.

What will my ballot look like?

There will be 20 candidates for the Cambridge City Council (plus the write-in incumbent) and 9 for the Cambridge School Committee on the Cambridge ballot. Using proportional representation, all candidates are ranked by preference, with #1 being your top preference. You are allowed as many choices as there are candidates for Council and School Committee. DO NOT put the same number down for more than one candidate, it will not count for either.

For more information on the Cambridge voting system and a sample ballot, please follow the links below:
Elections Dept. page
Sample ballot (pdf)

In Somerville there will be 5 candidates for Alderman-at-large along with candidates for each of the 7 wards. They do not use proportional representation system of voting. You are allowed one vote in each ward and 4 votes for the 4 Aldermen-at-large seats.

Somerville:
Elections Dept. page
Sample ballots by ward (pdfs)

Where can I get more information on the candidates?

For last minute information on the Cambridge candidates, please visit Robert Winters' Civic Journal candidate page.

Videos from Somerville Community Access Television (SCAT) are available for each of the contested races this year here.

Nov. 12 East Somerville Main Streets Fundraiser: "Jimmy Tingle and a Taste of Broadway"

Somerville City Club
20 Innerbelt Road, Somerville map
For more info click here

Please join me for East Somerville Main Streets’ first annual fundraiser, “Jimmy Tingle and a Taste of Broadway,” on Thursday, November 12 from 6:30—9:00 p.m. I’m serving on the Honorary Committee and am very excited to support this great organization.

East Somerville Main Streets (ESMS, previously mentioned here on this blog), is a nonprofit civic group that works to improve the community. ESMS undertakes high-impact activities including the annual International Film Series, the First Tuesdays neighborhood networking events, and the Colors of the Americas: East Somerville ArtWalk. Their work has had a major impact in reinvigorating lower Broadway and fostering a sense of community and involvement in the exciting and diverse neighborhood.

This year’s fundraiser will honor Steve Mackey, longtime Executive Director of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, and Roland James, head of the city’s Youth Department. It will also feature delicious appetizers from local East Somerville restaurants, entertainment by comedian Jimmy Tingle, and music by local Beatles cover band Beatle Tracks.

To find out more and purchase tickets, visit http://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/fundraiser.htm.

Two MAPS Employees Celebrate 20 Years of Dedication to Our Portuguese Community

S&S Restaurant
Inman Square
1334 Cambridge St, Cambridge map

CAMBRIDGE - It was my honor to be a part of a surprise celebration for the two longest serving employees of Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) at the S&S in Inman Sq, Lois Josimovich and Maria Matos.

Lois and Maria exemplify the hard work and dedication I have come to expect from the MAPS organization in Cambridge and Somerville. MAPS is the first place my office and I call for help with issues that impact the Portuguese community, like immigration, community outreach, or language barrier problems. MAPS has brought the Portuguese community together for as long as I can remember, thanks to the work ethic and institutional knowledge of employees like Maria and Lois.


From left: MAPS Board President Joseph J. Vasconcelos, Director of Development & Communications Lois Josimovich, Immigrant Social Services Supervisor Maria Matos, myself, and MAPS Executive Director Paulo Pinto

At the same time, underscoring their efforts to provide innovative service, MAPS is introducing their new and improved Portuguese-language website and announcing their annual meeting.

MAPS will hold its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 28 in the second floor community center of its Cambridge Office, located at 1046 Cambridge St. MAPS members and the public are invited to attend and hear about agency accomplishments during the past year. Members will also vote in the annual Board of Directors election.

The evening begins with a light buffet supper at 6:30 pm followed by the business meeting at 7 pm.

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More detailed information on Lois and Maria, and their new website, directly from MAPS:
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MAPS Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Services for
Two Employees

The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) honored its two longest-time employees, Maria Matos and Lois Josimovich, for their 20th anniversary of service on September 30 with a surprise party at a Cambridge restaurant.

"We are very thankful to them and really wanted to offer them this recognition," said Paulo Pinto, MAPS’ Executive Director, handing each of them a certificate of recognition. "MAPS wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t for their hard work."

Both Matos and Josimovich were also honored with citations offered by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and by the Cambridge City Council, presented by State Representative and City Councillor Timothy Toomey, Jr.

Matos started working at MAPS—then the Somerville Portuguese American League (SPAL)--as a teenager with the Youth Programs, and later evolved into a very active social worker. Today she is the Supervisor of Immigrant Social Services Programs for the Boston area. She has provided information, individual assistance, interpretation, translation and referrals around housing, employment, government benefits and other daily life issues to more than 30,000 Portuguese speakers.

"The best thing for me is when I see anxious clients and I am able to help them and make a difference in their lives," said Matos.

Josimovich, Director of Development & Communications, also started out with SPAL and was a key contributor to its merger with the Cambridge Organization of Portuguese Americans (COPA) to form MAPS in 1993. As the member of the MAPS management team responsible for agency fund development and public relations, she has also played an important role in the agency’s growth and its expansion of services and locations throughout greater Boston, Northeastern Massachusetts and the MetroWest area.

"It’s really an honor to work every day with the incredibly smart, dedicated, caring people who make up the MAPS family." said Josimovich. "I’m always inspired when I hear their stories about the individuals and families we help every day."

MAPS is a private, non-profit health and social service agency, with six offices throughout the greater Boston, Framingham and Lowell. For more information, please call (617) 864-7600 or visit http://www.maps-inc.org/.

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MAPS Launches Portuguese Version of New Agency
Website

Portuguese speakers can once again access up-to-date information in their own language about services provided by the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) on the Internet. The private, non-profit organization has just finished updating all of the Portuguese content on its website, http://www.maps-inc.org/.

“We are very happy to offer our clients a new website in their native language,” said Paulo Pinto, MAPS’ Executive Director. “Many of them are not fluent in English and it is important for us that they know the services we provide and how we can help them.”

MAPS’ website was completely redesigned by Webmaster Pat Quintin using WordPress software, and its English version has been live since April 2, 2009. The revamped Portuguese content went live on Sept. 22, and is now in a test phase. Visitors may send comments and suggestions to Renan Leahy, at rleahy@maps-inc.org.

The new site includes completely updated information and photos about the agency and its services, as well as several other important new features, such as:
· Easier navigation;
· A site map and search box;
· A Google Calendar link for events at MAPS and in the community;
· More transparency about MAPS finances and other agency information for MAPS funders and donors; and
· A brand new Bulletin Board section where community members who register can post jobs, items for sale and housing for free.

MAPS has offered social and health services to the Portuguese-speaking
communities in Massachusetts since 1970. The agency has six offices throughout
greater Boston, Framingham and Lowell.

We Need An Interim Senator

Our state legislature will likely vote tomorrow on legislation to allow our Governor to make a temporary appointment for the interim period between now and the January 19th election. I will be voting in favor of the appointment and urging my colleagues to do the same.

It is very important that our state has full representation and two votes at the federal level, now more than ever. Our full legislative voice at the federal level is essential for the urgent legislation on health care, climate change, and education currently facing the nation, as well as appropriations and considerations for federal stimulus funds.

Thank you for all of the calls, letters, and emails I have received about this legislation, and I would ask you to urge your friends and relatives in other districts to contact their Representatives as well. At this point I am cautiously optimistic that the Legislature will pass the bill and send it the Governor as soon as possible, but every extra voice helps.

For more information on why I think this is important, please check out the press release I sent to the local newspapers:
The Cambridge Chronicle
The Somerville Journal
The Somerville News

State Representative Tim Toomey Supports Interim Senate Appointment Legislation

BOSTON – State Representative Tim Toomey (D – Cambridge) has announced that he will support legislation to allow the Governor to appoint an interim Senator to represent Massachusetts in Congress until the seat is filled in a special election set for Jan 19, 2010.

“With such a wide variety of meaningful and consequential legislation currently being debated in Congress, from Health Care to Education to Climate Change, it is essential now more than at any other time in recent memory that Massachusetts has two senators in Washington to ensure that our Commonwealth is fairly and adequately represented,” said Toomey. “I have been fighting my entire career for a single payer system and believe that the proposed comprehensive health care reform will take important steps to make quality care available and accessible to everyone. Now, with the goal of affordable health care for all finally within reach, I feel that it is my responsibility to do everything within my power to help see that goal become a reality.”

“In that light, I will be supporting state legislation to allow for the appointment of an interim Senator for Massachusetts to guarantee equitable representation of our state during these extraordinary times.”

Rep. Toomey also explained his vote against a Republican amendment offered in 2004, which would have bestowed powers upon then Governor Mitt Romney to appoint a temporary replacement in the event of a Senate vacancy following the 2004 presidential election.

“The United States Constitution gives each state the right to choose its Senators in the best interest of the people of the state,” said Toomey. “In 2004 it was my opinion that, given the opportunity, Governor Romney would have appointed somebody who would have voted against the policy initiatives of a Democratic president, and would have failed to represent the needs of Massachusetts residents.”

Current Massachusetts law requires that a special election be held between 145 and 160 days after a vacancy in a Senate seat, which would leave the state with only one vote in the Senate through the remainder of 2009.

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Farewell to Ted Kennedy

I was deeply saddened this morning to learn of the loss of Senator Kennedy, but I am comforted by the knowledge that his legacy of service to the people of our Commonwealth and to vulnerable Americans across the country will continue to live on. His unparalleled leadership in the areas of civil rights, immigration reform, ensuring access to higher education and health care, and the fight for economic and social justice for all will not soon be forgotten, and his remarkable career as a public servant will remain an inspiration to Americans for generations to come.

Rest in peace.

Walking Tour of Union Square with USMS

Union Sq, Somerville map

SOMERVILLE - In light of the zoning changes passed by the Somerville Board of Aldermen and all of the recent discussion surrounding large-scale renovations of Union Square, I took the opportunity to go on a walking tour guided by Union Square Main Streets Director Mimi Graney. Mimi has been closely following the changes happening in Union Square for five years now, and has detailed knowledge of the past, present and future plans for the Square.

Along with the zoning changes, there is also the upcoming Green Line Extension and discussions about a major overhaul in the traffic through the square. On Wednesday, October 21st from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Argenziano School at Lincoln Park at 290 Washington Street, there will be a second roadway planning meeting.

Our first stop on the tour was the new Design Annex, a new space right in the center of Union Square where designers can sign up as members to use the space as a creative and collaborative workspace. As she describes it on the USMS website, "the Design Annex includes a co-working space with conference room, lounge with a resource library, shared equipment and ventilated model building studio. It also has a tiered membership structure that offers access to networking and educational programming as well as office and equipment resources. The Design Annex seeks to build a robust network of collaborative, thriving, design-related businesses centered in Union Square."


Mimi showed me around the beautiful new Design Annex at 66-90 Union Square, with opening ceremonies on October 15th at 4pm

The Annex will have a grand opening ceremony on Thursday, October 15th at 4pm, with new members, local designers, representatives from the MA Economic Council, MA Cultural Council, and the Design Industry Group of MA.

Next, we ran into an old friend of mine and local architect Mark Boyes-Watson, who runs his business right near the heart of Union Sq. He was excited to hear about the steps USMS was doing to make Union Square a design hub, and talked with Mimi about how to get more involved.


Myself, local architect Mark Boyes-Watson, and USMS Director Mimi Graney at Mark's Union Sq. office

Mimi showed me the exciting new businesses, the existing unused space, and the proposed locations for future development. Union Square has changed a lot this decade, and part of our conversation was about the steps the community has been taking to encourage a lively and livable modern square without pricing out the longtime businesses and residents. USMS has been very mindful that the industrial sections of the square, among other benefits, play a vital role in making it a hub for artists and designers. Striking the appropriate balance between affordable living and an attractive location for residents and businesses is a major challenge of any neighborhood in transition, and Union Square is no exception.

Along with the bigger picture planning and oversight, Union Square has also been benefiting from city initiatives put forward by the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen. For instance, any business looking to improve their storefront can work with the City to find out if they qualify for the Economic Development Storefront Improvement Program, which offers grants and matching funds to help with awnings, signs, doorway, windows, and lighting renovations. It's a great way to use available tools and funds to help your own business' visibility and keep the square looking its best.



Mimi Graney and the hardworking members and volunteers for USMS have done amazing work bringing together Union Square residents and business owners to think about and plan for the future of their neighborhood. I would encourage anyone who hasn't connected with them yet to sign up for their newsletter or contact USMS at:

Email: usms@unionsquaremain.org
Phone: 617-623-1392 x119
Web: http://www.unionsquaremain.org/