Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

September 3, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 627-628: September 3, 2024

Episode 627 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 3, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Sept 3, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Death of Cambridge City Councillor Joan Pickett; Vacancy Recount to be scheduled to elect Cathie Zusy – actual procedure, alternatives, history of Plan E vacancies 1941-present; brutality and disrespect of anonymous commenting; a clearer view of Joan Pickett. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 628 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 3, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Sept 3, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Shallowness of local press; Councillor Pickett’s actual views on bicycle and pedestrian safety and compromise; Sept 3 Primary; 77 supervoters; lack of candidates, choices; commentary on Decker-MacKay contest; Meet Your Neighbor Day; Boards and Commissions – Volunteer Opportunities – best education money can’t buy; Pre-K startup; $100 tickets for street cleaning; Oldtime Baseball; City Charter commentary; rejuvenation of local news; Central Square zoning. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

March 20, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 613-614: March 19, 2024

Episode 613 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 19, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Mar 19, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Middlesex Canal – history, Sullivan Square to Middlesex Village, Brooks Bridge, Medford, gypsy moth infestation, Pomp’s Wall, extensions from Concord NH to Haymarket Square; knowing where you live – Cambridge and elsewhere; Flushing Remonstrance (1657) and religious freedom in USA; Adopt-A-Drain, volunteerism; Little Things – just be a good citizen; School Committee campaign finance update; Linear Park plans – bikeway or park? Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 614 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 19, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Mar 19, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Linear Park, lack of public process; paradoxical negative climate effects of electrification – increased electrical demand outpacing new energy sources; Reinventing the Wards, organizing in the wards, party ward committees, potential charter changes to create issue-specific “citizen assemblies” – a partisan, biased proposal; creation of nonpartisan ward committees; triple AAA bond ratings for 25th straight year; water & sewer rates; Red Line shutdowns and proposal for fare-free #1 Bus – better than expecting everyone to move to bikes; proposal to restrict conversions to fewer units and unintended consequences; proposal to allow multi-family homes citywide – rationale in Order based on fiction. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

March 5, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 611-612: March 5, 2024

Episode 611 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 5, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Mar 5, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Super Tuesday; Iran voting boycott vs. campaign for “No Preference”; Trump vs. Biden; ward committees; City Council less dysfunctional, more collaborative w/City Manager; Finance Committee – levy projections, call for restraint, need to maintain excess levy capacity; use of operating budget for affordable housing has consequences; anticipated 10%+ annual increases in levy coming; fewer building permits – revenue not subject to Prop 2½ limits; commercial values relatively flat – shift of levy from commercial to residential; within residential, condos get sweetest deal after residential exemption and most of the increases borne by single-, two-, and three-family properties; need for intervention now to avoid future need for overrides; councillors had luxury for years in not having to think about limitations; FY24 consolidated spending categories; note that every stick of affordable housing (deed restrictions) has de minimis tax revenue – receive far more value in services that tax generated. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 612 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 5, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Mar 5, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Mar 4 City Council meeting; PERF report – police-involved shooting, good recommendations, positive evaluation of CPD practices, less-lethal options, CPD to be first in Mass. with policy on releasing names of involved officers; Central Square Lots Study in parallel with zoning changes; other assets, adjacent properties; everyone loves Central Square until they don’t; demise of current Starlight Square, need for replacement; contradictory signals on whether to gather more information or take action; exclusive focus on “affordable housing” creates net financial negative in perpetuity – math doesn’t work; plan in concert with privately-owned adjacent lots, e.g. Bishop Allen/Prospect, Green/Pleasant lot and Needle Exchange building; 44 years and 24 studies – the never-ending study of Central Square; not just about making everything bigger – need to make things better, more creative and more interesting; death of Paul Ryder; Charter Review update – next steps, desire to control process, facets of City government via Special Acts that should be part of Charter or at least be referenced – License Commission, Election Commission, Traffic Board, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge Housing Authority, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority; housing-related orders re: real estate transfer tax and municipally-funded vouchers (a real budget buster); the more we fund affordable housing the wider the gap in affordability. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

February 7, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 607-608: February 6, 2024

Episode 607 – Cambridge InsideOut: Feb 6, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Feb 6, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Charles Fried and a Capitol tale; Peter Valentine archive; Mapping Black Cambridge; campaign finance wrap-up; Gaza capitulation and activist misbehavior; the long history of foreign policy at the Cambridge City Council; City gobbling up Central Square; what’s in store for ’24. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 608 – Cambridge InsideOut: Feb 6, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Feb 6, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Foreign policy; Charter Review Final Report – manager vs. mayor, voting age, non-citizen voting, even-year elections, citizen assemblies – a critique; dysfunction in how we involve residents in decision-making; City Council “finding itself”, coming to terms with prioritization; City Council committee appointments; fending off the socialists; smart ideas vs. unreasonable mandates; better ways to manage public meetings with less Zoom and more interaction. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

February 6, 2024

Cambridge Municipal Election News – 2023

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,elections — Tags: , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:45 pm

Cambridge Municipal Election News

Nov 18 – I got the ballot data for the recent municipal election last night, did my usual tests, and everything checks out (as, of course, it should). I also determined who all the replacements would be should any of the newly elected officials vacate their seat. (More on that later.) Later today I will be doing additional analysis and posting some of the more interesting results. The closeness of the final School Committee results (8 vote difference) creates the possibility that a recount may be sought, but there are good reasons for not doing so. Andrew King has until Wed, Nov 22 at 5:00pm to file signatures seeking a recount if he chooses to proceed with that option. [Update – Andrew King has decided to not seek a recount, so the election results are final.] – RW

City Council #1 Votes by Ward/Precinct     School Committee #1 Votes by Ward/Precinct

City Council #2 Vote Distribution     School Committee #2 Vote Distribution

City Council Replacements – in the event of a vacancy
Burhan Azeem –> Adrienne Klein
Marc McGovern –> Adrienne Klein
Patricia Nolan –> Cathie Zusy
Joan Pickett –> Cathie Zusy
Sumbul Siddiqui –> Ayah Al-Zubi
Denise Simmons –> Joe McGuirk
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler –> Dan Totten
Paul Toner –> John Hanratty
Ayesha Wilson –> Joe McGuirk


Nov 17Final Official Election Results. The winners in the City Council election have not changed. However, in the School Committee election, Richard Harding is now the last person elected (by a margin of 8 votes) over Andrew King. – RW

City Council (in order of election):
Sumbul Siddiqui
Burhan Azeem
Marc C. McGovern
Patricia M. Nolan
Paul F. Toner
Jivan G. Sobrinho-Wheeler
E. Denise Simmons
Ayesha M. Wilson
Joan F. Pickett
School Committee (in order of election):
Rachel B. Weinstein
Elizabeth Clark Polner Hudson
David J. Weinstein
Caroline M. Hunter
José Luis Rojas Villarreal
Richard Harding
Round-by-Round Results (PDF) – official City version Round-by-Round Results (PDF) – official City version
Spreadsheet (PDF) – with transfer details Spreadsheet (PDF) – with transfer details

Cost per #1 Vote – City Council 2023 Cost per #1 Vote – School Committee 2023
 
City Council Cost per #1 Votes
 
School Committee Cost per #1 Votes

Here Come the Slates — For better or worse, the various candidate slates are taking shape (Sept 27, updated Oct 24):

Cambridge Citizens Coalition (CCC)
For City Council:
Joan Pickett
Doug Brown
Cathie Zusy
Robert Winters
Ayesha Wilson
John Hanratty
Federico Muchnik
Hao Wang
Carrie Pasquarello
Patty Nolan
Paul Toner

For School Committee:
Elizabeth Hudson
Robert “Bobby” Travers
José Luis Rojas Villarreal

Cambridge Voters for Good Government (CV4GG)
For City Council
:
Cathie Zusy
Ayesha Wilson
Joan Pickett
Paul Toner
Carrie Pasquarello
Robert Winters
Hao Wang
A Better Cambridge (ABC)
For City Council
:
Burhan Azeem
Adrienne Klein
Marc McGovern
Joe McGuirk
Frantz Pierre
Sumbul Siddiqui
E. Denise Simmons
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Ayesha Wilson

Our Revolution Cambridge (ORC)
For City Council
:
Ayah Al-Zubi
Joe McGuirk
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Dan Totten
Vernon Walker

For School Committee:
Richard Harding
Andrew King
José Luis Rojas Villarreal
David Weinstein
Rachel Weinstein

Cambridge Residents Alliance (CResA)
For City Council
:
Ayah Al-Zubi
Doug Brown
Patty Nolan
Sumbul Siddiqui
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Dan Totten
Vernon Walker
Ayesha Wilson
Boston Democratic Socialists of America (BDSA)
For City Council:
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Dan Totten

Who has been raising and spending money? [Feb 2, 2022 – present]
(source – Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance)
Note: Expenditures last updated Jan 31, 2024.
Note: You may have to “Clear Cache” in order to refresh some of the embedded charts/tables for campaign finance.

City Council Campaign Finance – Sorted by Receipts
CC campaign finance 2023

2023 Cambridge Candidate Pages     Calendar of 2023 Election-related events


City Council Campaign Finance – Sorted by Expenditures
Expenses


Periodic OCPF Bank Reports
OCPF Periodic Bank Reports

Union Contributions to Candidates – Incumbency Protection

 
Union Contributions
 
  
Union donations to candidates

School Committee Campaign Finance
School Committee Campaign Finance


Candidates on the November 2023 ballot
City Council: (24 candidates for 9 seats)   School Committee: (11 candidates for 6 seats)
Ayah Al-Zubi, 2B Dodge St., 02139 Alborz Bejnood, 166 Auburn St., Apt B, 02139
Burhan Azeem, 96 Berkshire St., 02141 Richard Harding, 189 Windsor St. #1, 02139
Doug Brown, 35 Standish St., 02138 Elizabeth Hudson, 236 Walden St., 02140
John Hanratty, 15 Mt. Vernon St. #7, 02140 Caroline Hunter, 23 Rockwell St., 02139
Peter Hsu, 70 Gore St. #2, 02141 Andrew King, 71 Chilton St., 02138
Adrienne Klein, 7 Beech St. #308, 02140 Frantz Pierre, 22 Water St. #808, 02141
Marc McGovern, 17 Pleasant St., 02139 José Luis Rojas Villarreal, 19 Cornelius Way, 02141
Joe McGuirk, 314 Columbia St. #1, 02139 Eugenia Schraa Huh, 259 Washington St., 02139
Gregg J. Moree, 25 Fairfield St., 02140 Robert V. Travers, Jr., 54 Fulkerson St., 02141
Federico Muchnik, 82 Richdale Ave., 02140 David J. Weinstein, 45 S. Normandy Ave., 02138
Patricia Nolan, 184 Huron Ave., 02138 Rachel Weinstein, 60 Standish St., 02138
Carrie Pasquarello, 230 Upland Rd., 02140

Vote!

Joan Pickett, 59 Ellery St. #1, 02138
Frantz Pierre, 22 Water St. #808, 02141
Sumbul Siddiqui, 283 Sydney St. #3, 02139
E. Denise Simmons, 188 Harvard St., 02139
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, 187 Brookline St. #3, 02139
Paul Toner, 24 Newman St., 02140
Dan Totten, 54 Bishop Allen Dr. #2, 02139
Vernon Walker, 165 Main St. #1205, 02139
Hao Wang, 1 Longfellow Rd., 02138
Ayesha M. Wilson, 15 Concord Ave., 02138
Robert Winters, 366 Broadway, 02139
Catherine Zusy, 202 Hamilton St., 02139

January 17, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 605-606: January 16, 2024

Episode 605 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 16, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Jan 16, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Shout out to DPW; OCPF reports due Jan 20; Council committees pending; Clean Slate at Jan 8 Council meeting; Jerry’s Pond; dealing with the nonresident protesters and bad political theater. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 606 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 16, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Jan 16, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Looking back at the 2022-23 City Council term and ahead to the 2024-25 term; single-issue advocacy at the root of the problem, need for cost/benefit analysis – examples with transportation, housing, energy; Charter considerations; phantom Traffic Board; confounded analysis of slate voting; and a Big Wish for better Squares and more fun. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

January 2, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 603-604: January 2, 2024

Episode 603 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 2, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Jan 2, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: City Council and School Committee Inaugural Meetings – entertainment courtesy of PSL (Party for Socialism and Liberation); Mayor Denise Simmons; protests and groupthink; Simmons appointments guaranteed better than predecessor; Charter considerations pending; Resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay and other Harvard observations; university presidents as fundraisers. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 604 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 2, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Jan 2, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Globe article on Bernie Goldberg, Brookline Lunch; Charter Review Committee – horror of Zoom-only process, nothing binding, strong mayor vs. manager form, bad behavior of CRC member(s), voting age, non-citizen voting, term length, recall provisions, at-large PR elections, citizen assemblies, citizen petitions, citizen initiative petitions, late proposals rejected, policy order vs. “action” orders; some highlights/lowlights of 2022-23 City Council term. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

January 1, 2024

Plan E Cambridge School Committees (and Mayors) At A Glance

Filed under: Cambridge,elections,School Committee — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 3:46 pm
1941Brooks, WilliamCassidy, JamesConant, Cora ButlerFitzgerald, JamesRobart, RalphWood, RussellCorcoran, John
1943Conant, Cora ButlerFoley, JohnGummere, RichardKelleher, MargaretReardon, RobertWood, RussellCorcoran, John
1945Conant, Cora ButlerDewey, BradleyKelleher, MargaretO'Neill, Thomas P. "Tip"Reardon, RobertWood, RussellLynch, John D.
1947Cassidy, JamesDewey, BradleyKelleher, MargaretMahoney, ThomasMinot, ElizabethReardon, RobertNeville, Michael
1949Amory, RobertCassidy, JamesFitzgerald, JamesMahoney, ThomasMcCrehan, FrancisWise, PearlCrane, Edward
1951Cremens, JohnFitzgerald, JamesMahoney, ThomasMcCrehan, FrancisVellucci, AlfredWise, PearlDeGuglielmo, Joseph
1953Campbell, JohnCorcoran, PaulMcCrehan, FrancisShaplin, JudsonVellucci, AlfredWise, PearlFoley, John
1955Fitzgerald, JamesGalluccio, AnthonyMaynard, JosephOgden, CatherineShaplin, JudsonSullivan, John BristonSullivan, Edward
1957Fitzgerald, JamesGalluccio, AnthonyHayes, DanielOgden, CatherineShaplin, JudsonSullivan, EdwardMcNamara, Thomas
1959Barnes, WilliamFitzgerald, JamesGalluccio, AnthonyHayes, DanielOgden, CatherineSolomons, GustaveCrane, Edward
1961Ackermann, BarbaraFitzgerald, JamesGalluccio, AnthonyMaynard, JosephOlesen, GeorgeSolomons, GustaveCrane, Edward
1963Ackermann, BarbaraDuehay, FrancisFitzgerald, JamesMcMahon, EdwardOlesen, GeorgeSolomons, GustaveCrane, Edward
1965Ackermann, BarbaraDuehay, FrancisFitzgerald, JamesMcMahon, EdwardOlesen, GeorgeSolomons, GustaveHayes, Daniel
1965.1 vacancyAckermann, BarbaraDuehay, FrancisFitzgerald, JamesGood, John A.P.Olesen, GeorgeSolomons, GustaveHayes, Daniel
1967Clinton, DanielDuehay, FrancisFitzgerald, JamesGood, John A.P.Solomons, GustaveWylie, DavidSullivan, Walter
1969Butler, LorraineDuehay, FrancisFantini, DonaldFitzgerald, JamesMaynard, JosephWylie, DavidVellucci, Alfred
1971Fantini, DonaldFitzgerald, JamesGesell, PeterMaynard, JosephPierce, CharlesWylie, DavidAckermann, Barbara
1973Fitzgerald, JamesGesell, PeterKoocher, GlennMaynard, JosephPierce, CharlesWolf, AliceSullivan, Walter
1975Berman, Sara MaeFantini, DonaldFitzgerald, JamesKoocher, GlennMaynard, JosephWolf, AliceVellucci, Alfred
1977Berman, Sara MaeFantini, DonaldHolway, DavidKoocher, GlennMaynard, JosephWolf, AliceDanehy, Thomas
1979Attles, HenriettaBerman, Sara MaeFantini, DonaldKoocher, GlennMaynard, JosephWolf, AliceDuehay, Francis
1981Attles, HenriettaBerman, Sara MaeFantini, AlfredKoocher, GlennMaynard, JosephSullivan, JaneVellucci, Alfred
1983Cooper, FrancesFantini, AlfredKoocher, GlennLeib, RenaMaynard, JosephSullivan, JaneRussell, Leonard
1983.1 vacancyCooper, FrancesFantini, AlfredKoocher, GlennLeib, RenaMaynard, JosephSullivan, JaneDuehay, Francis
1985Cooper, FrancesFantini, AlfredGarcia, SaraMaynard, JosephSullivan, JaneWeinstein, LarrySullivan, Walter
1985.1 vacancyCooper, FrancesFantini, AlfredGarcia, SaraSullivan, JaneToomey, TimWeinstein, LarrySullivan, Walter
1987Cooper, FrancesDavis, HenriettaFantini, AlfredRafferty, JamesToomey, TimWeinstein, LarryVellucci, Alfred
1989Cooper, FrancesDavis, HenriettaFantini, AlfredRafferty, JamesVellucci, AlfredWeinstein, LarryWolf, Alice
1991Davis, HenriettaFantini, AlfredMaher, DavidRafferty, JamesSimmons, E. DeniseWeinstein, LarryReeves, Kenneth
1993Davis, HenriettaFantini, AlfredGrassi, JosephHarris, RobinMaher, DavidSimmons, E. DeniseReeves, Kenneth
1995Fantini, AlfredGrassi, JosephMaher, DavidSegat, SusanaSimmons, E. DeniseTurkel, AliceRussell, Sheila
1997Grassi, JosephHarris, RobinMaher, DavidSegat, SusanaSimmons, E. DeniseTurkel, AliceDuehay, Francis
1999Fantini, AlfredGrassi, JosephSegat, SusanaSimmons, E. DeniseTurkel, AliceWalser, NancyGalluccio, Anthony
2001Fantini, AlfredGrassi, JosephHarding, RichardPrice, AlanTurkel, AliceWalser, NancySullivan, Michael
2003Fantini, AlfredGrassi, JosephHarding, RichardLummis, BenMcGovern, MarcWalser, NancySullivan, Michael
2005Fantini, AlfredGrassi, JosephHarding, RichardNolan, PatriciaSchuster, LucWalser, NancyReeves, Kenneth
2007Fantini, AlfredGrassi, JosephMcGovern, MarcNolan, PatriciaSchuster, LucTauber, NancySimmons, E. Denise
2009Fantini, AlfredHarding, RichardMcGovern, MarcNolan, PatriciaTauber, NancyTurkel, AliceMaher, David
2011Fantini, AlfredHarding, RichardMcGovern, MarcNolan, PatriciaOsborne, MervanTurkel, AliceDavis, Henrietta
2013Cronin, Fran AlbinFantini, AlfredHarding, RichardKelly, KathleenNolan, PatriciaOsborne, MervanMaher, David
2015Bowman, ManikkaDexter, EmilyFantini, AlfredHarding, RichardKelly, KathleenNolan, PatriciaSimmons, E. Denise
2017Bowman, ManikkaDexter, EmilyFantini, AlfredKelly, KathleenKimbrough, LauranceNolan, PatriciaMcGovern, Marc
2019Bowman, ManikkaDexter, EmilyFantini, AlfredRojas Villarreal, Jose LuisWeinstein, RachelWilson, AyeshaSiddiqui, Sumbul
2019.1 vacancyBowman, ManikkaFantini, AlfredRojas Villarreal, Jose LuisWeinstein, DavidWeinstein, RachelWilson, AyeshaSiddiqui, Sumbul
2021Bhambi, AkritiFantini, AlfredRojas Villarreal, Jose LuisWeinstein, DavidWeinstein, RachelWilson, AyeshaSiddiqui, Sumbul
2021.1 vacancyFantini, Alfred B.Hunter, CarolineRojas Villarreal, Jose LuisWeinstein, DavidWeinstein, RachelWilson, AyeshaSiddiqui, Sumbul
2023Harding, Richard Jr.Hudson, ElizabethHunter, CarolineRojas Villarreal, Jose LuisWeinstein, DavidWeinstein, RachelSimmons, E. Denise
« Newer PostsOlder Posts »

Powered by WordPress