Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

June 18, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 621-622: June 18, 2024

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square,Charter,City Council,cycling,Deaths,Fresh Pond,history,School Committee,schools,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:53 pm

Episode 621 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 18, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on June 18, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Harvard Summer School; Recent (Riverfest) and upcoming festivals and events (Juneteenth, Spelling Bee, Fresh Pond Day, Citywide Dance Party, Starlight Lovefest); World Champion Celtics; Red Sox rising; Mayor Simmons mutual interests, solving the mystery of the shrinking annual reports; Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan and fiscal constraints; reviving local news, public funding, objectivity, right ways and wrong ways, the larger questions, future of Cambridge Chronicle, the purpose of a “paper of record”, democracy dies in darkness. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 622 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 18, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on June 18, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Best ways to augment democracy with healthy environment of objective information, community voices, marshalling existing resources – the overdue conversation that needs to happen, Cambridge once had 5 newspapers covering Cambridge; cyclist death at Mt Auburn/DeWolfe and aftermath; some City bicycle planning not consistent with bicycle safety at intersections, the limits of signalization, the importance of simplicity; consideration of possible charter changes – simple is best; Cambridge Public Schools and dismissal of Superintendent Victoria Greer; ongoing planning for Central Square – and reactions from abutters. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

April 16, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 615-616: April 16, 2024

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,campaign finance,Central Square,Charter,City Council,cycling — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:46 pm

Episode 615 – Cambridge InsideOut: Apr 16, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Apr 16, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Tax Day, StuffSwap, compost giveaway, community meetings, C-Port Neighbors Assn. meeting w/CARE and the Cent. Sq. BID; CSBID background, actions, reauthorization, coming attractions, World’s Fair, Dance Party, resident survey; Eclipse; Multivariable Calculus at CRLS; mathematics in Cambridge schools; the $6100 April Fool; Crimson article on Supt. Greer being asked to resign – true? violation of Executive Session?; the importance of not violating confidence; Graham & Parks principal controversy; ward committees and notion of wards as a better alternative to proposed “citizen assemblies” in charter reform. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

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

This episode was recorded on Apr 16, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Repairing the Cycling Safety Ordinance – original and 2020 revised, problematic implementations, impact of local businesses, political third rail, PTDM and alternate parking arrangements; Cambridge political and civic life should not be dominated by bike lanes; upcoming Budget Hearings in era of fiscal limitations; paradox of tenant protections – need not be warfare; payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) legislation; Ronayne Petition, simplifying ADUs, allowing multi-family buildings in all zones, reasonably adjusting FAR; crossing the RR tracks and then some; supervoters down to 77. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

March 20, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 613-614: March 19, 2024

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,campaign finance,Charter,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:16 pm

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]

January 2, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 603-604: January 2, 2024

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Cambridge government,Cambridge InsideOut,Charter,City Council,elections,School Committee — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:02 pm

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

December 16, 2023

Municipal Election Voting Comparison: 2021 vs. 2023 (and then some)

Filed under: 2017 election,2019 election,2021 election,2023 election,Cambridge,City Council,elections,School Committee — Tags: , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:57 pm

Municipal Election Voting Comparison: 2021 vs. 2023

I am just now beginning to analyze the voting patterns of the recent municipal election compared to previous years. There’s a lot more analysis to come, but here’s a quick chart showing histograms of the number of people who voted by age (in 3-year groupings):

Comparison of 2021 vs. 2023 voters by age
Number of people voting in the 2021 vs. 2023 municipal elections

Note, in particular, that the number of people voting in the 24-35 age range jumped considerably, the number of people in the 56-67 age range actually dropped, and the number of people in the 74-82 age range increased considerably. The number of people voting increased from 22,097 to 23,478 (based on available data from the registered voter list and the voter history files).

Here’s the sequence of histograms for 2017 through 2023:

voted 2017

voted 2019

voted 2021

voted 2023

Here are the changes in number of people who voted for 2017 to 2019, 2019 to 2021, and 2021 to 2023:

change from 2017 to 2019

change from 2019 to 2021

change from 2021 to 2023

Feel free to interpret these changes as you see fit. Possible causes are changing demographics, who was targeted by candidates, and specific issues such as bike lanes and the AHO. More to come as the spirit moves me. – RW

November 26, 2023

Voter Success and Number of Candidates – Cambridge Municipal Elections

Filed under: City Council,elections,School Committee — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 8:00 am

Voter Success in Cambridge Elections

The table below indicates the percentage of ballots for which the #1 ranked candidate was elected; the percentage of ballots for which the #1 or #2 ranked candidate was elected; and the percentage of ballots for which the #1, #2, or #3 ranked candidate was elected. (updated Nov 26, 2023 from Nov 2017 original posting)

Voter Success in Cambridge Elections
Election elect candidates valid invalid total
ballots		 Quota Pct #1
elected		 Pct #1 or #2
elected		 Pct #1, #2,
or #3 elected		 Pct none
elected		 Pct
blank
1997 Council 9 19 16879 350 17229 1688 88.7 96.2 97.6 1.6 0.3
1999 Council 9 24 18777 384 19161 1878 76.5 92.5 95.5 3.0 0.5
2001 Council 9 19 17126 562 17688 1713 83.8 94.0 96.2 2.8 1.1
2003 Council 9 20 20080 878 20958 2009 72.7 87.0 91.0 6.7 2.0
2005 Council 9 18 16070 132 16202 1608 78.7 93.4 96.1 2.6 0.5
2007 Council 9 16 13633 88 13721 1364 79.3 93.2 96.0 2.9 0.4
2009 Council 9 21 15995 118 16073 1596 75.1 90.9 94.1 4.3 0.6
2011 Council 9 18 15845 126 15971 1585 77.8 92.6 95.5 3.3 0.5
2013 Council 9 25 17743 103 17846 1775 68.6 87.8 93.0 4.9 0.4
2015 Council 9 23 17854 105 17959 1786 71.7 90.4 94.8 3.3 0.3
2017 Council 9 26 22524 72 22596 2253 68.7 87.0 92.8 4.7 0.2
2019 Council 9 22 21239 85 21324 2124 70.5 89.4 95.4 2.2 0.2
2021 Council 9 19 21814 260 22074 2182 75.1 91.2 95.4 2.5 0.8
2023 Council 9 24 23339 173 23512 2334 72.2 88.4 94.3 2.2 0.3
Election elect candidates valid invalid total
ballots		 Quota Pct #1
elected		 Pct #1 or #2
elected		 Pct #1, #2,
or #3 elected		 Pct none
elected		 Pct
blank
1997 School 6 8 16386 285 16671 2341 83.3 96.4 97.6 2.4 0.1
1999 School 6 13 17961 307 18268 2566 76.0 91.1 94.4 4.7 0.1
2001 School 6 10 16489 1160 17649 2360 76.2 90.5 92.6 7.1 4.8
2003 School 6 8 18698 2210 20908 2672 81.9 89.7 90.0 10.0 8.8
2005 School 6 8 15470 719 16189 2211 77.4 90.6 93.1 6.9 4.2
2007 School 6 9 13276 433 13709 1897 77.0 91.2 92.7 7.1 3.0
2009 School 6 9 15423 549 15972 2204 72.6 90.1 91.6 8.4 3.3
2011 School 6 11 15290 614 15904 2185 77.6 90.3 92.2 6.9 3.6
2013 School 6 9 16592 1128 17720 2371 80.9 90.0 91.2 8.5 6.2
2015 School 6 11 16797 1062 17859 2400 69.2 84.7 88.0 11.1 5.7
2017 School 6 12 20708 1744 22452 2959 67.2 81.5 85.2 13.3 7.7
2019 School 6 11 19425 1712 21137 2776 69.9 84.8 87.8 11.6 8.1
2021 School 6 9 20017 1824 21841 2860 75.5 87.0 89.6 9.9 8.0
2023 School 6 11 21255 1837 23092 3037 66.1 84.1 87.8 11.6 7.5

Note: Almost all of the invalid ballots were blank ballots. It’s common that some voters will vote only the City Council ballot and cast a blank School Committee ballot.

Number of Candidates

Here’s the whole history of the number of candidates going back to 1941 (CC for City Council and SC for School Committee).
Any significant write-in candidates are included in the totals. (updated from Oct 2017 original posting)

Number of candidates in Cambridge municipal elections: 1941-present
Year CC SC     Year CC SC     Year CC SC     Year CC SC     Year CC SC
1941 83 28   1961 23 16   1981 25 13   2001 19 10   2021 19 9
1943 39 19   1963 22 17   1983 16 16   2003 20 8   2023 24 11
1945 37 14   1965 24 13   1985 22 9   2005 18 8        
1947 34 18   1967 20 18   1987 19 13   2007 16 9        
1949 40 16   1969 26 14   1989 28 8   2009 21 9        
1951 27 15   1971 36 22   1991 19 12   2011 18 11        
1953 35 18   1973 34 26   1993 29 11   2013 25 9        
1955 41 19   1975 25 16   1995 19 11   2015 23 11        
1957 35 26   1977 24 10   1997 20 8   2017 26 12        
1959 31 21   1979 23 12   1999 24 13   2019 22 11        

November 22, 2023

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 601-602: November 21, 2023

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,campaign finance,Charter,City Council,Deaths,elections,School Committee — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 8:22 pm

Episode 601 – Cambridge InsideOut: Nov 21, 2023 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Nov 21, 2023 at 6:00pm. Topics: Notable Passings: Teresa Neighbor, Gregg Moree, Kevin Glynn; a personal tale of candidacy, the politics of personal destruction, the lack of a viable local press, and “taking one for the team”; Gaza takes center stage; municipal election results – City Council and School Committee; election mechanics, configuration files, ballot data files; the problem of ballot order dependence and how to fix it. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 602 – Cambridge InsideOut: Nov 21, 2023 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Nov 21, 2023 at 6:30pm. Topics: Replacements in the event of a vacancy; The Comedy of Voting Errors; Ward/Precinct #1 Vote distribution; neighborhood bases of support; great disparity in voter turnout among precincts and disproportional representation; #2 Vote Distribution from the ballot data; Cost per #1 Vote; some history of proportional representation historically and in the United States and in Massachusetts; Question: Proportional to what? Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

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