Ward 6 Alderman election

[keithn.livejournal.com]

The election for Ward 6 Alderman (plus other local offices) is this Tuesday. Aside from two leaflets in my door last week, I have heard almost nothing about this election since the preliminary back on September 17.

Has this been the experience of others?

After the preliminary I anticipated Lance Davis being the heavy favorite to win the general election, but with little campaigning leading to little voter interest leading to low turnout, who knows what will happen. I certainly didn't expect Elizabeth Weinbloom to place 2nd in the preliminary, and now she has the endorsement of the Somerville Journal and Somerville Times (for what that's worth). Davis had more votes than everyone else combined on September 17, but who can say if the same people show up to vote on Tuesday?

Comments

[ron_newman]

I got a slick four-page direct mailing from Lance Davis. I know Liz Weinbloom has been out knocking on doors.

I've decided to vote for Liz. There isn't much ideological difference between the two candidates, and I want to encourage younger people to get involved in our civic life. Liz would do that well.

(And in the Alderman-at-Large race, I've received one large slick color postcard each from Bill White, Dennis Sullivan, and Sean Fitzgerald, but nothing from Jack Connolly or Mary Jo Rossetti.)

[gruene.livejournal.com]

I've received bupkis. Back in September, I had multiple large mailings for Charlie Chisholm, even though I live in Ward 7.

[ron_newman]

In Ward 7, you have no contested races, other than Alderman-at-Large.

Wards 1, 3, and 4 have contested School Committee races. Only Ward 6 has a contested ward alderman race.

[gruene.livejournal.com]

I know, but in the past I've usually gotten at least a postcard from all the at large candidates. I vote in every election, so I should be on their lists.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

Perhaps this is because all of the at-large incumbents are running for re-election and there is only one non-incumbent candidate running.

At Large Incumbents

[courtney (from livejournal.com)]

What I've seen...

Dennis: Postcard (I have not received one as of yet), Facebook page with sponsored ads and a video published this morning.
Mary Jo: Facebook page and consistent email blasts since she's been elected.
Jack: Active Facebook page/Twitter profile for over a year, nice pull-out ad in the last edition of Scout Somerville.

RE: At Large Incumbents

[ron_newman]

I got a robo-call from area code 202 (Washington, DC) for Mary Jo Rossetti. Why would a local election campaign call come from there?

Edit: and another robo-call from 202 by Mayor Curtatone, who is running unopposed. I guess this at least reminds folks that we're having an election.

RE: At Large Incumbents

[cos]

Probably because that's where the company they hired to do that calls has their equipment based. Lots of companies providing campaign services are based in Washington DC.

RE: At Large Incumbents

[ron_newman]

I understand, but a lot of folks aren't going to bother picking up a phone call when the caller ID says POLITICAL CALL with area code 202.

[toddskaplan.livejournal.com]

Dear friends and neighbors,

We would like to take this opportunity to tell you why we are supporting Liz Weinbloom for Alderman in Ward 6.





Years ago, we came to Somerville as renters. It was relatively affordable in the mid 80's. Then we became homeowners and wanted to participate in civic matters. Newcomers didn't have much of a voice though.

When Rebekah Gewirtz became alderwoman, she was a young renter who brought an independent female voice to what was then pretty much an old boys club at the Board of Aldermen.


Liz is an independent voice as well. She is the best candidate to pick up where Rebekah left off, bringing a fresh independent voice to the Board. Much like Rebekah, Liz can increase the participation of newcomers in the Somerville political scene. She can also represent the arts community.

Liz is vibrant, creative, and independent. She understands the needs of homeowners and will also represent renters who want to make this city their home. We also appreciate that she is the only registered Democrat in the race!
We thank Rebekah for her service and will miss her. After meeting both candidates, we believe that Liz Weinbloom is the best person to continue representing Ward 6.






While many of you may have voted for Lance in the primary we hope that all will take a fresh look at this race and consider Liz and vote for her this Tuesday.




Here are her endorsements from the Somerville Journal and the Somerville Times:


Somerville Journal: Similarly, the race for Ward 6 Alderman is between two qualified candidates. Lance Davis and Elizabeth Weinbloom are vying for Rebekah Gewirtz as an independent voice is spot on the board when she steps down at the end of this year. Both have strong progressive backgrounds but Weinbloom’s push to represent the city’s renters is a perspective that would be very useful on the Board of Aldermen. We endorse Elizabeth Weinbloom for Ward 6.






Somerville Times: There is only one alderman ward seat open with two candidates competing, and that is in Ward 6. We endorse and hope the residents of Ward 6 agree that a different kind of candidate in Elizabeth Weinbloom should be considered for your vote. Although it is an uphill battle against her opponent, who is endorsed by the established politicians, we think she should be given consideration for your vote. She works from home and can devote a lot of time to the issues of Ward 6 and the city as a whole. Vote for Elizabeth Weinbloom for Ward 6 Alderman.

Thank you,




Todd Kaplan & Rivkah Lapidus

44 Kidder Ave.

Somerville, MA 02144

(home of the "book House/Little Free Library)

[keithn.livejournal.com]

If Weinbloom "is the best candidate to pick up where Rebekah left off," why did Rebekah endorse Lance Davis?

[ron_newman]

A good question, but I think Rebekah (and others) endorsed Lance Davis before Liz (and David Lieberman) even decided to take out papers. At this point it looked like the race would be just Lance Davis vs Charlie Chisholm.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

Maybe Rebekah endorsed Lance because he has been involved in Somerville politics and neighborhood activism for 14 years. I heard that Weinbloom didn't even vote in a Somerville election until she ran for office. (I don't remember where I saw this, I think it was a reader response in one of the Somerville newspapers) Many people seem to be implying that Weinbloom is similar to Gewirtz when she first became Alderman, but the only similarities I can see are their age and gender. As an aide to Pat Jehlen and a founding member of the Progressive Democrats, Gewirtz was already actively involved in local politics when she ran for office. That community involvement, which Lance Davis has demonstrated, is much more important to me than age or gender.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

Another point: The Somerville Times endorsement to me seems to be due to the fact that they believe Weinbloom is less like Rebekah than Lance Davis. Look at the phrasing: "different kind of candidate" and "...her opponent, who is endorsed by the established politicians...". It is odd to me that Todd would include that endorsement in the same post where he says Weinbloom "is the best candidate to pick up where Rebekah left off."

[ron_newman]

I don't know how one can pivot from supporting Charlie Chisholm to supporting Liz, but there's a lot I don't understand about the Somerville Times.

[klauspood.livejournal.com]

Todd, I have been bothered by the insinuation, both from you and earlier from Charlie Chisolm's campaign, that a having a career and family is incompatible with being an effective alderman. I am sure many of the good Alderman we have now, and have had in the past, would be uncomfortable with this insinuation.

I was also disturbed by the suggestion that a vote for Lance is in anyway a return to "an old boys club at the Board of Alderman". Lance is a fresh face in the political scene in Somerville, and Rebekah's strong endorsement of Lance is an indication that she is comfortable that Lance will continue to be a strong independent voice on the BOA, ensuring continuity to her efforts.

I have seen Lance's involvement first hand at the Brown School, and as an organizer of a Bowling league designed to promote community and connection. I believe strongly that he will be accessible and welcoming to his constituents, both newcomers and folks who have already chosen to raise families here. He can also represent the arts community!

I do not know if Lance is registered as an Democrat or Independent, but what does that matter? I am un-enrolled by choice, but always vote for the democrat and typically my views are quite left of center. I am un-enrolled because I don't want any party to take my vote for granted.

Finally, I believe that Liz's choice to brand herself as a champion to the community of renters in Somerville does not in anyway diminish Lance's commitment to represent and serve them as well. My concern that Liz's focus on this single issue will not allow her to clearly consider issues that will impact the ward's consistency of non-renters, families, schools, and the development of tax generating new businesses. I prefer Lance's balanced approach!


best,

Alan Ball
Industrial Designer, Brown School Parent, Dog Owner, member at Artisan's Asylum
50 Francesca Ave
Somerville, MA 02144

[keithn.livejournal.com]

On the topic of party enrollment - Massachusetts has a semi-closed (or semi-open, depending on your perspective) primary system. This makes enrolling in a party actually stupid. With the semi-closed system, if you are enrolled in a party, you can only vote in the primary for that party, but if you are unenrolled, you get to pick which primary to vote in when you show up to vote. You only limit options by registering in a party. When you aren't enrolled, if the Democratic race is not competitive, you can vote in the Republican race to try to influence it in a favorable manner.

[ron_newman]

However, if you want to participate in party politics (such as serving on ward committee, or attending a caucus to elect delegates to a state convention), you need to be enrolled in the party.

[cos]

Lots of people think that way, but they're mistaken.

By enrolling as a Democrat, the only option you limit is voting in another party's primary. In most of Massachusetts, there are never any contested Republican primaries, except for Governor, where there's also a contested Democratic primary, and you can only vote in one anyway. So the number of times that "limitation" is actually likely to meaningfully affect you if you're mainly a support of Democrats is extremely limited. Maybe one time every 20 years, you'd actually want to vote in a Republican primary rather than the Democratic one. And the other parties in Massachusetts never have contested primaries at all as far as I see.

On the other hand, by choosing unenrolled, you're also limiting your options, but in a more meaningful way. Sure, maybe you don't plan to ever join a local Democratic ward or town committee, but there's at least a chance you might want to. More importantly, if you want to support someone to get on the ballot to run for statewide office as a Democrat, an important way to do that is to go to your ward or town Democratic caucus and vote for their delegates. You can't do that unless you're registered as a Democrat. You also can't be a delegate yourself, which can be an interesting experience if you're interested in politics. But really even if it just comes down to "you can't vote for delegates at your local caucus" as the only limitation of choosing unenrolled, that already is a bigger limitation than ruling out voting in Republican primaries.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

The Republican presidential primaries are contested. In 2012, the Democratic presidential primaries were not. In 2016, they may or may not be. If Hillary Clinton wins Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada, and is polling strong nationwide, the Democratic primaries will be all but over by Super Tuesday while the Republican primaries are almost sure to be still contested.

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, I am also bothered by that insinuation but it seems to me to be coming from the Somerville Times and not from Todd. Todd just quoted the two endorsements from the Times and the Journal, and it does seem like a kind of Times style comment (and quite similar to one of the attack ads for Chisholm in September)...

I am supporting Lance because of his demonstrated involvement in the city for many years and because I felt confident that he can represent renters, homeowners, and all the kinds of househoulds that make up Ward 6 and will listen seriously to the concerns of constituents. Alan's (klauspood's) comments above that Lance can be committed to represent and serve renters in Ward 6 whether or not Liz brands herself as a champion of renters is a very important point. Although I'm a homeowner, I remember this coming up in conversation when Lance came door to door in September, and I felt that he was not taking only homeowners and would-be homeowners into consideration in thinking about how to keep the Ward 6 neighborhood accessible to folks other than the independently wealthy...

[svilleswift.livejournal.com]

Although the words came from the Somerville Times, the tone was set by the candidate. In an answer to the Progressive Democrats of Somerville questionnaire, Elizabeth Weinbloom stated: "I don't have career or family commitments that would take me away from the ward during the day or jockey for my attention at night." This was not an awkwardly phrased verbal answer during the live primary debate sponsored by PDS. This was a written answer that shows a dismissive attitude towards those of us who balance professions, children and other family responsibilities. This attitude is also reflected in her too twee campaign signs. "Your Full-Time Alderwoman" has always grated on me.

[svilleswift.livejournal.com]

Liz Weinbloom's endorsement from the Somerville Times isn't worth the virtual paper its printed on! The Somerville Times promotes itself as the read of more traditional, conservative Somerville. In the past, it has disparaged renters, cyclists, street festivals, artists, musicians, young women in politics, career politicians and Democrats to name a few. The Times has been particularly nasty and demeaning towards Rebekah Gewirtz regularly referring to her as "princess". Ms. Weinbloom is the embodiment of nearly all the Times has been railing against. This endorsement isn't based on the candidates merit. This endorsement is a vindictive response on the part of the publisher to the trouncing his candidate, Charlie Chisholm, took in the primary. Elizabeth Weinbloom's acceptance of this endorsement makes me question her knowledge of the city, her maturity and her principles. To promote yourself as a feminist (or for that matter be a woman) yet accept the stamp of approval from a media outlet which has, for the last decade, been mocking one of the few women brave enough to wade into Somerville politics reveals either a great ignorance of the city or an uncomfortable willingness to compromise your morals. To then put yourself forward as Rebekah heir apparent is especially insulting. A mature, informed candidate would have declined the endorsement!

[ron_newman]

How do you "decline" an endorsement? Once the paper is printed, it's printed.

[svilleswift.livejournal.com]

First, you don't reprint the endorsement in your campaign literature, don't place it on the home page of your website, don't put it on your Facebook page and don't tweet out on your feed. Second, you compose a statement declining the endorsement with your reason why and put that on your website, Facebook and Twitter. You also send that statement to the competing paper. I imagine the Somerville Journal would be happy to print such a letter. Presidential candidates often decline endorsements when they come from questionable or reprehensible organizations.

[ron_newman]

OK, I understand that. However, I can't think of a single time when a candidate has refused a newspaper endorsement. The Times' predecessor, the Somerville News, endorsed Denise Provost (back when she had opposition) and Denise put that on her literature too.

[svilleswift.livejournal.com]

Well, there is always a first time for a candidate to refuse a newspaper endorsement! From what I remember, Denise did not make being a woman a cornerstone of her campaigns. She also was not seeking a seat being vacated by a woman who has been belittled in a sexist way over the course of her service by an endorsing paper. I have always been disgusted by the Times treatment of Rebekah. Elizabeth Weinbloom likes to call herself a feminist. She should be livid!

[gruene.livejournal.com]

The Scout published a write-up on Weinbloom over the weekend. If they did a similar piece for Davis, I couldn't find it:
http://scoutsomerville.com/for-weinbloom-affordable-housing-is-top-issue/

[scf21.livejournal.com]

For what it's worth, both candidates (Davis and Weinbloom) personally came to my door in the past week and spent plenty of time talking to us, answering questions/concerns, etc.