Election next week

[bobobb.livejournal.com]

The election is coming up next week and I don't really know anything about the candidates. Mark Niedergang stopped by my house a couple of weeks ago and I liked his ideas enough to want to vote for him. Any thoughts on the other people who are running? Any relevant issues people differ on? Any good website recommendations to find out more?

Thanks!

Comments

[docorion.livejournal.com]

Start here (http://mirocommunity.access-scat.org/) to watch some of the candidate forums aired by Somerville Community Access Television during the past few weeks. Ward 5 and Ward 4 are on that page; you may have to do a little digging to find the others, but they're in there. (I know there's a Ward 6 video because I watched it, but I don't see it there; I'm sure a little digging will find it).

[ron_newman]

If you click on the "More" button at the bottom of the page, or enter 'candidates' into the search box, you'll find them all. Here's the whole list:

Alderman-at-Large
Ward 6 Alderman
Ward 4 School Committee
Ward 5 School Committee

[ron_newman]

I'm voting to re-elect Rebekah Gewirtz here in Ward 6, and I'm also voting for Luis Morales for alderman-at-large because I'd like to see some new blood (and a currently unrepresented group) on the Board. Bill White is the smartest person on the Board and deserves re-election.

Progressive Democrats of Somerville sent questionnaires to candidates, not all of whom responded. You can find those responses here:

Alderman Ward 6, School Committee Wards 4 & 5 (these are the only contested ward seats)

Aldermen-at-Large (5 candidates for 4 seats)

Somerville Community Corporation also sent questionnaires to all of the candidates for alderman and you can read those here: CANDIDATES FORUM OCT 21: VIEW THEIR RESPONSES

Mark Niedergang is a member of my synagogue, someone I like and have known for years. (But that's not my ward and I know nothing about his opponent, so I'm not going to make an outright endorsement.)

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

So why did Jim Campano even bother responding to the SCC questionnaire (read it (http://somervillecdc.org/SCCNews/2009-10-21-Candidates-Responses/Campano_English_2009.pdf) and compare to Rebekah's responses (http://somervillecdc.org/SCCNews/2009-10-21-Candidates-Responses/Gewirtz_English_2009.pdf))? In fact, can anyone tell me why he's running? I've yet to hear a single position of his, which is particularly unusual for a challenger. Am I reading the wrong news sources?

[ron_newman]

Good question. I live 2 blocks from Davis and have seen no evidence of Jim's campaign. I actually like Jim as a person but would never vote for him for Alderman. He has never been able to clearly articulate just what his objection is to Rebekah or to Progressive Democrats of Somerville.

[gruene.livejournal.com]

Based on the coverage in the newspapers, it sounded like he was pissed about the bars in Davis Square being allowed to stay open until 2 pm and blamed Gerwirtz for this.

Campano pointed out that there are 11 liquor licenses, and five of them for late-night operations. “She’s a businessman’s alderman — she doesn’t care about residents,” he said. “I want to cut back on liquor licenses and restrict business hours. I don’t want to see Davis Square become another Central Square, become honky tonk … If I get elected, I’ll be the residents’ alderman. Businesses won’t like me, but residents will love me.”

http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/town_info/your_vote/x124624237/Somerville-election-to-have-a-few-not-many-contested-races

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

That's a pretty weak campaign, especially for a challenger. Like Ron, I've seen no evidence at all of his campaign other than a single sign on Highland between Grove and Cutter (is that his house?). I'd love to see more contested races in the city, but you at least have to make an effort, otherwise you're wasting our time and money as well as your own.

[ron_newman]

I got a postcard from Jim Campano today. It didn't say much. Yes, Jim lives around there on Highland Ave.

[djdreilinger.livejournal.com]

If you want more info on Morales, I profiled him for boston.com: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2009/10/not_another_tony_luis_morales.html
(LJ doesn't accept a href tags?!)

[ron_newman]

Thanks. (But I don't understand your question)

[djdreilinger.livejournal.com]

Embedded links. Like this one. (http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/somerville/2009/10/not_another_tony_luis_morales.html)

[djdreilinger.livejournal.com]

Oh, wait. I guess it just doesn't show up in preview mode. *thunk*

[ron_newman]

looks like it does in preview mode but not in 'check spelling during preview' mode

[masswich.livejournal.com]

There's not much of an election in much of the city this year... its too bad there are so few candidates

[somertricky.livejournal.com]

Endorsements:

Somerville Journal endorsements
Somerville News endorsements

Somerville Journal (http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/news/opinions/x1520368657/The-Somerville-Journal-endorses)
Somerville News (http://www.thesomervillenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=3&ArticleID=2383)

Given that the News called him "eminently qualified" four years ago (while endorsing his opponent, but still) what the hell did Mark Niedergang do to JN in that time that would have triggered this sort of response, basically for suggesting Evacuation Day and Good Friday shouldn't be school holidays?

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at last week's editorial meeting, with people banging their heads against the wall trying to justify endorsing Campano. The Mobius strip of illogic and ignorance regarding Luis Morales is precious. (Wait! He's a clergyman? DOES NOT COMPUTExrcpghprihga0p)

It's not just Ward 5 where the batshittery reigneth: check out this (http://www.thesomervillenews.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=3&ArticleID=2369&TM=48830.38). JN's closing in on becoming the Glenn Beck of Somerville.

[ron_newman]

Meanwhile, do you understand the last few comments here -- what were you 'caught' as?

[somertricky.livejournal.com]

I have no idea. Maybe they think I'm Kat Powers, or Ken Brociner, or Neil McCabe. Or Marty Martinez.

I could go on.

[ron_newman]

Everyone knows you're actually Dr. Mrs. McCarthy.

[somertricky.livejournal.com]

I wish. Wasn't there some discussion as to whether she was Jimmy Tingle, or Jimmy Del Ponte? Personally, I'd like to figure out who "Cambriville News" was.

Was it really that long ago? (http://somervillenews.typepad.com/the_somerville_news/2005/11/gewirtz_wins.html) Dang, that was some of my best work. The Frank Santangelo Boat Storage Facility, indeed.

[gruene.livejournal.com]

Oh Man. The Somerville News really has it out for the PDS, don't they? I guess that's not new, but the logic seems to be, whomever the PDS supports, we oppose, regardless of merit.

[ron_newman]

I'd really like someone to say "I don't like PDS because they are for A and B, and I think A and B are bad ideas and here's why". Such a statement would go a long way towards elevating the political debate in this city.

[gruene.livejournal.com]

It's never been about issues. It's about power or perceived power. The old guard doesn't like that a bunch of upstarts are trying to influence policy in the city. I think this plays into the yuppie - townie divided, where some long time residents feel that the PDS represents newcomers who have different values than them. (Whether this the reality or not, that's the perception)

[ron_newman]

Still, if there is such a divide, there is at least one dividing issue where the newcomers want X and the old-timers don't, or vice versa. I'd like to explore what that might be.

I've seen old-timers and newcomers come down on both sides of issues such as late-night liquor licenses, the Armory, resident parking, etc.

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

Ron, Ron, Ron, what an idealist. Politics should be about issues? Heh, that would be too easy.

[elements.livejournal.com]

Mark is actively supporting the excellent Christine Rafal, who is challenging James Norton for his school committee seat.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

As a ward 5 resident I can tell you that Niedergang is all talk. He has done nothing in his time on the board, including the things he promised voters he would do. He still knows very little about the school system he is supposed to be overseeing. He has shown himself to be less than honest and not trustworthy. I would vote for anyone but.