Please don't vote for the xenophobe Charlie Chisholm for Ward 6 Alderman

[ron_newman]

In this thread, I stated that I personally recalled Charlie Chisholm running racist and anti-immigrant campaigns against then-Ward 6 Alderman Jack Connolly in the early 1990s. At that time, Somerville's "Sanctuary City" resolution welcoming immigrants was a major political issue. People have (understandably) challenged me for hard evidence, so I spent a few hours today at the Somerville Central Library looking over Somerville Journal microfilm from 1991 and 1993. Here's what I found:

from editorial "Hitting a new low on the campaign trail", 11/7/91:

In Ward Six, Charlie Chisholm issued a pamphlet proclaiming "Somerville: It used to be your city; now, it's Jack Connolly's 'Sanctuary City'" interspersed with photographs of houses with "For Sale" signs.

from election coverage on 11/7/91:

Chisholm apparently gained a lot of ground between preliminary day and the final election by linking Connolly to the so-called "Sanctuary City" resolution and saying the resolution was responsible for drawing immigrants that pushed long-time residents out of the city.

from "New face in midst of Ward Six rematch", 9/2/93:

"I don't see myself as anti-immigrant", says Chisholm. "What is wrong is when we have all sorts of unrestricted illegal immigrants coming in here."

Many of those illegal aliens were drawn to Somerville because of the host of service agencies here, says Chisholm. And the city has borne too heavy a burden for its welcoming attitude in areas like education and housing, he argues.

Charles Chisholm answers questions from the Journal, 9/23/93:

... the "Sanctuary City" substitute "City of Hope" resolution, which was sponsored by Alderman Jack Connolly, should be repealed and those groups and agencies which encourage illegals to settle in Somerville should desist from targeting Somerville for a further increase in population. We cannot afford a further influx of illegal aliens. Already, plans are being developed by the School Department's Somerville 2000 Committee to meet the necessity of forced cross city busing to accommodate Chapter 636 of M.G.L. This law requires "racially imbalanced" schools to be integrated. Finally, we should support the passage of a law to report illegals for deportation who have committed crimes. It must be clear that Somerville will not tolerate becoming another crime infested Massachusetts city. Also, the movement to have illegals vote in city elections, which has begun in Cambridge, makes a mockery of citizenship and should be opposed.

In 1993, some people in Somerville circulated a local initiative petition to place repeal of the Sanctuary City resolution onto that year's general election ballot. The city's Election Commission disqualified the petition after finding that many of the signatures on it were forged and faked. The Journal's article on 10/7/93 said:

One signature that was valid was that of Charles Chisholm, a candidate for alderman in Ward Sox who signed the petition on a separate sheet of paper.

I can't support someone who chose to divide the community this way when campaigning for political office. Yes, these campaigns were 22 and 24 years ago --- but in his current campaign, he's claiming that his one term on the Board of Alderman 38-40 years ago (the last time he held public office) is relevant experience.

When you vote this Thursday, please choose one of the other three fine candidates for Ward 6 Alderman: Lance Davis, David Lieberman, or Elizabeth Weinbloom. Thank you for listening.

EDIT 9/16 8 pm: Just to make things completely clear: In this post I'm speaking solely for myself as a Ward 6 resident and voter, NOT as a co-moderator of Davis Square LiveJournal.

Comments

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

I support Mayor Curtatone's approach, outlined here: https://www.facebook.com/jcurtatone/posts/775103925949178 , which is it is not the local police's job to enforce immigration laws on behalf of the feds. Doing so would make immigrants less likely to inform police of issues and would make us and them less safe.

That may or may not mean Ron and I agree on policy. However I object to Ron's throwing around the word racist. It sounds like Ron thinks being concerned about undocumented immigration levels and the implications of that is equal to being racist and xenophobic. This is lazy inflammatory spin. Let's discuss policy on a practical matter, not label someone racist who doesn't agree with us. I can't say is Chisholm is racist or not, (many people against the mayor's policies are) but I don't see the evidence in this post, other than maybe Chisholm's bulls** comment about locals being "pushed out", which may have troubling connotations, though the rest of the context is missing, so I think the burden of proof for labeling someone racist has not been met.

[ron_newman]

This was a difficult period in Somerville's history, with frequent racial clashes in the schools and on some streets as the city absorbed a significant number of immigrants from Haiti, Brazil, and Central America.

Many public officials and politicians, notably then-Mayor Mike Capuano, acted responsibly and made clear that the new arrivals were now part of the city's fabric and should be treated equally.

I can't respect those who chose the opposite path and instead stirred up fear and division in our community in order to try to win votes. Among those were Charlie Chisholm and Maria Curtatone (the current mayor's sister, candidate for mayor in 1991, and now Middlesex South Register of Deeds).

I also support the current Mayor's position.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I already have my mind made up on this one, Ron, but thanks for digging this up. Even if it's a local election, we get enough of that rhetoric right now in the national media.

[somertricky.livejournal.com]

Ron deserves the local version of the Pulitzer Prize for his research.

Let's call it the "Norton" (ducks)

[teko.livejournal.com]

I wasn't around here 24 years ago and don't have a firm grasp on the social and political climate, so it's very difficult to judge someone by these quotes and soundbites taken out of that context. As others pointed out in the other thread, it would be just as easy to say that Chisholm was taking a pragmatic stance in this situation. Given his work toward civil rights since then, I find it hard to dismiss him as either racist or anti-immigrant based on the Sanctuary City situation.

[somertricky.livejournal.com]

I'm entirely will to dismiss him based on the literature alone, which invokes the screaming dogwhistle "busing" and for 1993, the use of the word "illegal" as a noun is completely groundbreaking.

At the time Chisholm was not a Young Republican fresh out of college waiting to see the light, but rather a 47-year old college professor. Make of that what you will.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

I have heard people repeat that he has been involved with civil rights/LGBT issues, but I haven't actually heard specifically what his involvement was. Do you have details?

At this point I think he ought to come in here and speak for himself. Even though his web presence might be low, I know he knows how to register on a forum and post, because he did it here: http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/somerville/2007/07/17/progressives-to-endorse-in-city-races/

[ron_newman]

Wow, I'd forgotten all about that exchange of comments. Worth a read!

Charlie's campaign manager and surrogate lanze108 (Jonathan DeCosta) has been around DSLJ quite a bit in the last few days.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

The best part of the whole exchange:

Mr. Chisholm then started ranting about how awful it was that we cared who the Ward 6 Alderman was while the Iraq war was going on. He then claimed that we were making George Bush happy. At that point I ended the phone call.

[dougo.livejournal.com]

He has a lot about his involvement with civil rights/LGBT issues on his website: https://charlesforward6.wordpress.com/ He taught in the Freedom Schools, boycotted segregated schools in Roxbury, stood up for a college dean who was dismissed for being lesbian, joined the Walk for Life during the AIDS crisis, and "is a proud member" of the LGBT community.

[ron_newman]

And those are (if true) all good things, but they don't negate the fact that he appealed to xenophobia in two earlier campaigns for this seat. I expect better from someone who is representing me.

[dougo.livejournal.com]

I was replying to keithn's specific request for more info.

[ron_newman]

Ahh, I lost track of who was responding to what.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

Ron, thank you so much for going and doing this work. I think this information is going to be very valuable to voters trying to make up their minds.

I know Chisholm has been avoiding DSLJ, but now I really feel like he has no choice but to come here and respond. I don't really think we ought to waste time speculating why or why not he may have said the things he said when he should be speaking for himself, and I will take a lack of any form of response to be him letting his past statements speak for themselves.

[ron_newman]

See response by his campaign manager lanze108 below.

[tikva.livejournal.com]

You are awesome. Thank you for doing all of this research.

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

Thanks for doing this research, Ron!

[lanze108.livejournal.com]

How can someone with a campaign manager that has the last name DECOSTA be xenophobic? Your unfair treatment towards Charles shows a lot about your character as a person. You take snippets from 24 years ago and cut them up to serve your own interest. Charles said multiple times that he is for SANCTUARY cities back then. He just thought Cambridge was in a better position to accommodate. That does not mean he is xenophobic.

You are probably the same person who is spreading the homophobic idea that Charles is a pedophile, because his campaign manager is younger. And to "get rid of your line of twinks". You're probably part of the same crowd that tore down Charles' literature and replaced it with Davis' in order to sabotage a campaign event. You're the same type of naysayer that told me that "There can never be an LGBT center at Bryant University". There is one now.

Maybe I'm naive as a 26 year old. I didn't expect a local campaign to be this dirty. I expected people to be fair and equal access to the candidates and their viewpoint. I guess I was wrong.

I know many of you have already made up your mind about other candidates. But if any of you want to hear the true story about Charles' background and stance on sanctuary cities, feel free to email me at jonathandecosta@gmail.com. The true story is never going to get out on a Live Journal like this that is run by a biased person like Ron Newman.

[cos]

I think you discredit yourself with what you say about Ron. However, as should be very clear to you from your participation in this and other posts, Ron's role as a co-moderator of this community in no way prevents you or anyone else from making your/their case or presenting "the true story" as you/they see it. If you feel that "the true story is never going to get out" over here, that suggests to me that you don't believe it's really true.

[ron_newman]

- Charles said multiple times that he is for SANCTUARY cities back then.

He did? Then why did he tell the Somerville Journal otherwise?

- He just thought Cambridge was in a better position to accommodate

Cambridge was and is also a sanctuary city. There's no reason we can't have more than one.

- You are probably the same person who is spreading the homophobic idea that Charles is a pedophile

No, I've never even heard this allegation before you brought it up here.

- You're probably part of the same crowd that tore down Charles' literature and replaced it with Davis'

I've never heard of this happening. When and where? (By the way, I'm not necessarily a Davis supporter. I'm still deciding.)

- You're the same type of naysayer that told me that "There can never be an LGBT center at Bryant University"

I know nothing about Bryant University, but I've supported LGBT rights consistently for many years.

- But if any of you want to hear the true story about Charles' background and stance on sanctuary cities, feel free to email me

Or you (or Charles) could post it here as a comment, or as a new post in DSLJ. That way everyone can read it.

- a Live Journal like this that is run by a biased person like Ron Newman.

This community has four moderators; I'm just one of them. This post speaks only for me, not necessarily for any of the other three moderators, and certainly not for any other participants in this LiveJournal. This is a free and open platform that anyone can participate in. I have not deleted anyone's post or comment on this campaign, nor do I intend to.

[teko.livejournal.com]

You are probably the same person who is spreading the homophobic idea that Charles is a pedophile, because his campaign manager is younger. And to "get rid of your line of twinks".

Can you say more about this bizarre rumor and why you're bringing it up in this forum? It's the first I've heard of it anywhere, and I have no idea what "getting rid of your line of twinks" means. I respect a lot of Charles' ideas and the work he reports to have done for the LGBT community, but it'd be awesome if you or Charles could straightforwardly and calmly rebut the claims Ron made here rather than counter them with left-field accusations.

[lanze108.livejournal.com]

I will request Charles to write something up for your benefit when I see him again.

I do not feel that this forum is very fair or great place for open discussion when one of the moderators is posting over and over again about how Charles chose not to attend a DSLJ event, when he knows Charles had prior engagements. And where one of the moderator posts serious allegations based on snippets from old newspapers with the sole purpose of tarnishing someone's reputation.

Unrelated and on top of this, I am very upset right now about what has happened to him today and not in the state of mind to write anything in-depth:

We were supposed to throw a campaign event for the people at 27 College Avenue. We put up literature on 9/14 at the bulletin board in the afternoon and gave 48 hour notice for an event (as is required). Mysteriously, the literature was all thrown out (there was a lot of it, so it definitely wasn't an accident with three pins on each piece). In its place was a Lance Davis invitation to have Chinese food and his event took place a night before ours with what seems like a lack of the required 48 hour notice.

I can't believe that someone (whomever it may be) would think it is okay to deny equal access to the candidates. I would NEVER throw out someone's invitations to an event.

We have over 30 pastries that are still good and we are looking for somewhere to bring them. I'm thinking of donating to a homeless shelter or pantry so that they don't at least go to waste.

[ron_newman]

I'm sorry that happened to you. It's completely unacceptable and I would also like to know who did it.

The Somerville Homeless Coalition's shelter at the Holy Bible Baptist Church on Chapel Street might appreciate the food donation.

[lanze108.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I hope we can find a home for these.

[teko.livejournal.com]

Agreed that that is a disgusting act, and I would hope that Lance Davis would step forward to apologize or correct this situation, whether he and his group are responsible or not.

[lancedavisward6.livejournal.com]

As I stated elsewhere, this campaign had absolutely nothing to do with what Mr. DeCosta has alleged and I certainly would not and do not condone any sort of tampering.

[dougo.livejournal.com]

I'm just upset that neither party was advertised here!

[ron_newman]

27 College Avenue is Ciampa Manor, so I'm guessing these events were both specifically for senior citizens there.

[ron_newman]

- whether he and his group are responsible or not

I don't think it's reasonable to ask someone to apologize for doing something if they didn't in fact do that thing.

[teko.livejournal.com]

In this sort of situation, I do. Someone literally did this in Lance Davis' name, and while by no means would I think he or his team is responsible, it's an act that gives the appearance of "dirty politics". I'm glad that Mr Davis stepped forward to clearly separate himself and his team from this sort of thing.

[lanze108.livejournal.com]

Hey Teko, I just posted Charles' response to Ron Newman.

Thanks for asking for his perspective! I was so upset early about these allegations and what happened. I'm glad that there are some people here who are willing to listen to all the perspectives.

[unferth.livejournal.com]

I haven't made up my mind in this election, and I'm sorry that your event was interrupted. But I think you might want to take some time and reconsider your tone above.

Ron's a good guy, personally known to many people here, and made clear efforts to find and cite sources for his opinions. I'm not going to write off someone's candidacy based on comments from more than 20 years back, but your first response above, the one with the claim that "You are probably the same person who is spreading the homophobic idea that Charles is a pedophile[.]", is just bizarre and off-putting. This is the first I've heard of such a slander, which is of course abhorrent. But it's not coming across well to me that you're conflating a specifically sourced and documented criticism with baseless slanders, and assuming that one implies responsibility for the other.

[tikva.livejournal.com]

Agreed. And someone has to be pretty unsavvy politically to insult Ron publicly, and that doesn't look so good for that someone's campaign.

(Also, Ron is nice and doesn't deserve that. What he DOES deserve is a sincere apology).

Immigrants discriminated against by City already

[markk02474.livejournal.com]

First, when I went to road project hearings on the narrowing of Broadway, the mayor showed up with his aide but no Brazilians were there and the meeting was all conducted in English. Clearly no outreach. This bike lane and landscaping project was a gentrification effort to attract high tech workers working nearby in Kendall and downtown Boston and displace immigrants.

Second, the GLX and gentrification is pricing immigrants out anyway. Last year's report here: http://www.mapc.org/managing-change-somerville-dimensions-displacement-report-released