davis_square | Somerville needs reform

I've read your links but don't really understand. What do you want to see done differently in Union Square (or elsewhere), compared to what Mayor Curtatone wants for that neighborhood?

Damn! Who knows what the Mayor wants. The mayor is a public servant. The more people and diversity involved the better. The mayor can can represent the public.

I didn't completely get it either, but I've always thought the Somerville News, and the people who post there, are ... how shall I say this politely. Stuck in their ways. Afraid of change. I don't bother reading it anymore. If they're plotting something against the diversity of Davis Square, perhaps someone more tolerant than I could summarize for us.

And it is great place for people to be able to post and disscuss those heated issues with the other not so stuck in their ways people. It serves that part of the community quite well. I think the problem is that the politics and past culture are surpressive to outsiders. This is why there is a great opportunity for change at that site. I am also concerned that developers have more influence over wether or not my neighborhood may be rezoned into an commercial zone.

Have things changed in the last few months? I've tried to post on there several times, attempting to have a logical discussion like an adult, and was only met with childish retorts. It seemed futile to try to bring my point of view to people who were determined not to see it, and were too comfortable hiding behind the internet. I think that there are more effective ways of changing people's minds than on that site.

I know the feeling. Be thankful you dont have to put up with it. You are lucky you don't own propetie here! When you are stakeholder and are invested in the community these knuckleheads can ruin your day. If you ever had to deal with city-hall or maybe tried working with your alderman about an issue you get more of the same responce.

I've generally had good luck with both the previous alderman (Jack Connolly) and the new one (Rebekah Gewirtz). If you can be more specific about what you're trying to accomplish, it would help greatly.

I didn't say I wasn't invested in the community. I volunteered plenty of time for Pat Jehlen and Rebekah Gewirtz (who is easy to work with). I just don't own property here... yet. Anyway, whoever your Alderman is, it sounds like he sucks, and I'm sorry. Maybe the next time they are up for re-election some progressive like Rebekah will run.

I don't understand. That post is vague and ranty and I don't know what specifically it's trying to say. The first link is to the main page of the Somerville News. Is this a protest against stupid comments on the Somerville News blog in general? Help out with what? *totally befuddled*

The second to last line was really the key to what they are looking for...

"Does anyone know of any reform or political groups that some of my friends and I could get involved in?"

My answer would be to check out the Green Rainbow Party of Somerville, the Progressive Democrats of Somerville, and maybe the Davis Square Task Force for a start. The problem is not just the current mayor, it's the apathy of the voters and the lack of honest, coopertive-minded, people who are willing to run for mayor. If someone progressive had run against Curtatone last fall, maybe there would be a new mayor. But no one ran, so we're stuck with what we've got.

Turil,

I went to the Last Green Rainbow meeting in Cambridge to see what it was all about. They said they would endorse a Democrat or other if they did not have a candidate in the same race and I think they endorsed Provost before, She has a goog site and seems to genuilly support her ward (http://www.provost-citywide.org/why.html) . What do you think about all of these groups working together? Check out what this person is saying:

"Finally: Somerville is changing; new people are arriving from all over the world. Resentment at this change is sometimes evident here in the Journal, but the new wave of arrivals have just as much moral right to live here as the previous waves did. Also, many in this new wave have specific, practical expertise that could be useful to the city, if Somerville were willing to draw upon it. " from: www.whyisthisimportant.net/

It seems like there are a lot isolated people and groups that feel the same way have similar values and intrests. Could getting them connected help with the apathy you mention?

To COS, I believe you should post your last comment there. They are getting more traffic and they are starting to moderate a lot of the nonse-sense out. As a reslut they are finding themselves trying to explain why they are begining to moderate. I think your point would help immensely right now!!
Thanks All!

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See, there's the problem right there. If you see your Ward as part of Chicago, IL, you've probably been dealing with entirely the wrong set of authorities...

In all seriousness, and correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Inman Square in Cambridge?

It boarders Somerville, It is in Somerville too. Thanks for reading the link!

I think these were the people we are dealing with, check it out what others say:
http://www.whyisthisimportant.net/
http://comm-org.wisc.edu/papers2004/rhico/rhico1.htm#walking
http://www.mysticview.org/0w-0260-ltr-yr-dd_06-00-01.htm
http://www.socialaw.com/slip.htm?cid=15726&sid=119

I don't really get what you are looking for either. if it's ways to get involved in development stuff in the city, though, I can't think of a better organization than the somerville community corporation: http://www.somervillecdc.org/

if you are criticizing any particular actions by the mayor or whomever, I can't tell from your post what they are. sounds to me like generalized bitching.

Somerville needs reform

this needs clarification

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the news site is not bad..

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Thanks

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You are right.

huh?