‘Bernard was the very best of Cambridge’: The bond between the Palestinian family behind Brookline Lunch and their Jewish lawyer

by Shannon Larson, Boston Globe, Dec 18, 2023
Great tribute to lawyer and former City Councillor Bernard Goldberg and their long friendship with Jamal and Manal Abu-Rubieh, proprietors of Brookline Lunch in Central Square.
“But Bernard never changed. Bernard was the very best of Cambridge, and what made this city feel like home. ... Bonds like that endure no matter how much time has passed,” she said. “You don’t forget the people who treated you with respect and kindness; you only hope you feel as special to them as they do to you.”

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):

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:

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

Kevin Glynn (1954-2023) – A Friend Indeed

Nov 24 – My friends Paul and Kevin working on the building behind mine. Kevin Glynn passed away on Nov 17.
I attended his wake today. It was remarkable to hear so many people tell how Kevin helped them over the years —
and he helped me immeasurably. He was a very dear friend.

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

Nov 17 - Final 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

Beware of Scam by “Best Boston”, a (supposedly) Newton-based Roofing & Masonry Company

Nov 8, updated Nov 13 - I was just scammed today by a roofer who I allowed to check my roof and who then deliberately cut large holes in my flat roof and claimed they were pre-existing. I know for a fact that they were not previously there because I was on the roof just a few days ago, and these were obviously freshly cut with a knife. When I confronted the perpetrator he ran off. I have contacted the company and I am filing a police report for this criminal act. Beware that this does not happen to you. The company goes by the name “Best Boston” and if you have agreed to have them do any work on your building I advise you to immediately cancel and find a reputable company to do the work instead. In the nearly four decades during which I have owned my triple-decker I have never experienced anything like this. [posted on NextDoor] - Robert Winters

Rear cut section	Discarded roof section on roof on building next door
Forward cut section	Discarded roof section on roof on building next door

PS - I have learned that this company is a front for a group known as the “Irish Travelers” who have been operating in the Boston area and elsewhere, setting up short-term fake websites, and scamming people out of large sums of money. Fortunately, I only had my roof damaged and no money was exchanged. The scammers typically have Irish accents. A police report has been filed, and I hope that arrests will soon follow. I also received a business card from someone using the name “Logan Construction” a few minutes before this scammer who is apparently part of the same criminal ring. I would not be surprised if the websites for both of these scammers disappear in a very short while.

PPS (Nov 15) - There are now credible reports of these same scammers operating other fake companies in Cambridgeport and elsewhere and soliciting work via palm cards, door-hangers and on-the-street encounters. Beware!

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)

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)

Cancellation of Cambridge InsideOut today (December 19)

Dec 19 – I’m sorry to say that I have to once again cancel today’s scheduled Cambridge InsideOut shows. I have a lot more election-related analysis to show as well as a summing up of the 2022-2023 City Council term, but I just didn’t have time to put it altogether into a coherent presentation in time for the scheduled 6:00pm broadcast. More significantly, I have to get two Final Exams edited and uploaded by tomorrow for my two Harvard Extension School courses, and I really can’t compromise on that.

I will attempt to prerecord a couple of programs later this week. - Robert Winters

No Cambridge InsideOut today (Dec 5)

Dec 5, 2023 – Because I am inclined to tune in to the Charter Review Committee meeting today (starting at 5:30pm), I decided to cancel the live 6:00pm broadcast of Cambridge InsideOut scheduled for today. I may prerecord several episodes instead, and this would include a more detailed assessment of the actions of the current Charter Review Committee. - Robert Winters

Teresa Solano Neighbor

Teresa Solano Neighbor, 83, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, passed away from complications of a stroke on September 22, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. She will be remembered as a devoted and loving mother, sister, grandmother, mother-in-law, and aunt; for her loyal service to the City of Cambridge; for her courageous and lengthy battle against Parkinson's Disease; and for her quick sense of humor.

Teresa was born in Cambridge on September 9, 1940, and spent all but two years of her life there. Her parents were of Italian ancestry. Her father Louis F. Solano was born in Naples, Italy, and became a professor of linguistics at Harvard University. Her mother Clelia Capelli, whose family hailed from Bologna, was a dancer before becoming a homemaker. Teresa grew up with four sisters whom she cherished—Louisa, Karina, Marie-Dolores, and Cecilia.

Academically, Teresa had a passion for studying Romance languages and psychology. She graduated from the Cambridge High and Latin School, then completed her college education at Wellesley College. She also had a lifelong passion for classical music and singing, and took lessons at the Longy School of Music.

While in college, Teresa met Ed Neighbor, and later had two daughters, Jessica and Elizabeth. Teresa loved cooking family meals, reading books, going on walks, decorating her house, and hearing concerts at Tanglewood. But perhaps her greatest pleasure came from hosting family and friends for small dinner parties.

She also had a lifelong passion for the democratic process, and spent the majority of her professional career as the Executive Director of the Cambridge Election Department. From 1984 to 2006, she oversaw local elections and the census.

In her early fifties, Teresa learned that she had Parkinson's Disease. Over 26 years, she persevered through many treatments and symptoms, showing extraordinary strength and courage.

Thank you, Teresa, for all the contributions you made in your life. You were truly one of a kind.

Teresa is survived by her daughter Elizabeth; son-in-law Brian; granddaughters Lila and Aislin; sisters Karina, Marie-Dolores, and Cecilia; half-sister Francesca and half-brother Louis; and their families. She was preceded in death by daughter Jessica, sister Louisa, and former husband Ed.

A service and reception will be held in Teresa's memory at the Bigelow Chapel of the Mount Auburn Cemetery on November 11, 2023, from 2 to 4pm.

In lieu of sending flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to the Parkinson's Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org.

Posted online on October 19, 2023 Published in The Cambridge Chronicle & Tab

Quick Stats (Sept 25, updated Nov 16):

Number of Unique Visitors to Cambridge Candidate Pages:

Note:
Sunday, Nov 5 - 1,071 unique visitors
Monday, Nov 6 - 2,019 unique visitors
Tuesday, Nov 7 - 3,468 unique visitors

Bigotry and Censorship at the Harvard Crimson

Oct 27, 2023 – This last month has been eye-opening from the point of view of local journalism or, more properly, what pretends to be journalism. Take the example of a local blog fueled by anonymous commenters trading insults, or going through the motions of printing and dropping off bundles of printed copies in order to qualify for the cash cow of Legal Notices paid for with your tax dollars. Then there’s that vanishing act that used to be the Cambridge Chronicle. We won’t soon forget that recent juicy Boston Globe article that suggested that not all is well in Siddiqui-ville with allegations of a hostile workplace in the Mayor’s Office – was it a calculated hit piece or a factual exposé - or, more likely, both. However, nothing really takes the proverbial cake more than the Harvard Crimson.

Under the pretense of “filling the gap in local news coverage” the decision-makers at the Harvard Crimson have used the opportunity of doing “candidate profiles” of this year’s City Council candidates (including me) to inflict the views of their writers on those readers drawn to the flames the writers choose to ignite. After I was ambushed at a candidate event that was supposedly organized for the benefit of graduate students at MIT and Harvard, I was able to witness first-hand not only the bigotry and manipulation of some of the most objectionable candidates in my 30+ years of witnessing local civics and politics, but also of the wannabe journalists at the Harvard Crimson who have shown little to no interest in fact-checking if it might possibly stand in the way of a good game of slander and libel.

One pseudo-journalist in particular is a woman named Muskaan Arshad. I have never spoken with this person nor would I be able to pick her out in a crowd, but her anger and bigotry is such that she simply can’t help herself from inserting my name and her opinion of me into every candidate profile she writes - complete with enough innuendo to help her complete her sentences. She has never once contacted me to ask about any of the drivel she chooses to repeat in order to solidify her prejudicial outlook.

Now this might be just fine to have a FoxNews-caliber junior reporter repeating unfounded accusations or calls for insurrection, but you would think the Harvard Crimsom would at least allow the accused to comment on the articles in which he is slandered. But no, the Harvard Crimson apparently no longer has any interest in “veritas” and, in fact, has chosen to prevent me from commenting on articles in which I am explicitly named - even as they allow comments from others to proceed unhindered. They even now block me from commenting on other matters, such as the Cambridge City Charter, where my commentary would be both helpful and appreciated by Crimson readers - if only they were permitted to read it.

Here’s the sequence: (1) Make comment; (2) Notification of comment under moderation; and then (3) Deletion of comment. I have tried to make comments (none of them inflammatory) several times over the last week or so - all to no avail.

Attempt a comment:

Notification of comment under moderation:

Deletion of comment by Harvard Crimson:

Meanwhile, if you click on the link to Muskaan Arshad’s Twitter/X account, this is what you get (and it’s been like this for a while now):

It kinda makes you wonder what she did to get suspended, but I suppose this sort of thing happens with people who behave badly. - Robert Winters

PS - You can probably get better and more accurate news reporting from the Harvard Lampoon.

PPS - It didn’t used to be this way at the Harvard Crimson. It’s not the institution. It’s the people now occupying it.

October 2023 - A Month to Remember

Why I Just Quit Democratic Socialists of America (by Maurice Isserman, Persiuasion, Oct 27, 2023)
After over four decades in DSA, one of the group’s founding members is leaving in sorrow and anger.
Note: The local Boston DSA chapter has endorsed City Council candidates Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler and Dan Totten, and Burhan Azeem continues to donate to the campaigns of DSA-endorsed candidates.

Time to Throw the Intersectional Left Under the Bus! (Ruy Teixera, Oct 19, 2023)
This is a golden opportunity for the Democrats.

Oct 15 – I just returned from Queens County, NY and my 50th High School Reunion. It was a weekend to remember – filled with overwhelming joy and touched by the sadness of learning of friends from long ago who are no longer with us. I may say more over the next few days. - Robert

Why the Woke Support Hamas (by Richard Samuelson, RealClear Politics, Oct 14, 2023)

The Deep Roots of the Left’s Deafening Silence on Hamas (Yascha Mounk, Persuasion, Oct 16, 2023)
There are serious ideological reasons why parts of the left have gone so badly astray. The implications go far beyond the conflict in the Middle East.
“Worse still were the people and organizations who actively celebrated the pogroms. Multiple chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America, which continues to count Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez among its ranks, encouraged their followers to attend rallies that glorified Hamas’ terror as a righteous form of resistance. As its San Francisco chapter wrote on X, the “weekend’s events” should be seen as part and parcel of Palestinians’ “right to resist.” The Chicago chapter of the Black Lives Matter movement even glorified the terrorists who murdered scores of people at a rave in southern Israel, pairing a now-deleted image of a paraglider with the caption: “I stand with Palestine.””
Note: Several Cambridge City Council candidates are active members of the Democratic Socialists of America. Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler and Dan Totten have been endorsed by their Boston Chapter.

A blue state, but Massachusetts’ electorate has become something else: the cradle of independents (Matt Stout, Boston Globe, Oct 11, 2023)
“ While independents have long thrived here, the number of so-called unenrolled voters has downright surged in recent years, with a mix of bureaucratic and ideological currents working to swell the ranks of independents to 61 percent of the state’s 4.7 million voters. That, by one analysis, is the highest share of unaffiliated voters in any state in the country, a surprising reality given Massachusetts’ deep blue reputation and history of Democratic dominance at the ballot box.

Campus Cowardice and Where the Buck Stops (Bari Weiss, The Free Press, Oct 12, 2023)
Microaggressions are met with moral condemnation. But actual violence is tolerated—even glorified. On the rot inside our universities and what to do about it.

The Massacre in Israel and the Need for a Decent Left (Michelle Goldberg, NY Times, Oct 12, 2023)

After Findings Released in Sayed Faisal Inquiry, Protesters Demand Dismissal of Officer Who Fatally Shot Him (Harvard Crimson, Oct 12, 2023)
“Ayah Al-Zubi ’23, who is running for Cambridge City Council, said at the protest that she supported calls for McMahon to be fired and called for reform to policing in Cambridge.” … “Council candidate Dan Totten took issue with the inquest’s finding that McMahon’s actions were reasonable. “It turns out this is exactly how they wanted it to have gone,” Totten said. “My response to that is, ‘No fucking way.’”
RW Note: Any reasonable person who read the Inquest Report would have a point of view different from these two hate-filled, unhinged candidates. On the other hand, one strategy for winning votes under proportional representation is to appeal to the radical fringe under the belief that there are more than 10% of Cambridge voters who are similarly unhinged. Cambridge voters need to wake up.

Nine Arrested after Police Assaulted During Protest

Oct 30, 2023 – Nine individuals were arrested after several Cambridge Police officers were assaulted during a protest outside 130 Bishop Allen Drive. Starting at 10am, Cambridge Police officers were monitoring a protest outside Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense contractor, whose office has been the site of numerous protests and acts of vandalism and property destruction in recent weeks. The crowd, estimated to be about 200 people, was initially peaceful. Officers even shut down a busy roadway nearby to ensure the safety of the protestors and the public in the area. Cambridge Police Officers remain committed to providing ample space and opportunities for protestors to engage in freedom of speech.

Around 11:15am, some of the crowd broke through metal barricades and began vandalizing the business. Some of the people in the crowd began throwing “smoke pellets”, eggs and other projectiles at the officers and the building. As officers attempted to place numerous people under arrest for defacing the building, the group became hostile and assaulted the officers. One officer was knocked to the ground. Another officer was hit in the chest with a “smoke pellet”. One officer had to deploy pepper spray as some of the crowd became more combative. A total of nine individuals were arrested and face several charges including Disorderly Conduct because their actions created an extremely hazardous situation for everybody present, including themselves, passersby, and the officers.

The following people are scheduled to be arraigned in Cambridge District Court on Tuesday.

A message from Candidate Robert Winters

[Pass it along - I could really use your help (and your #1 Vote, of course)!]

The polls are now closed.

Note to Candidates

Monday, October 30, 2023 is the Deadline for School Committee candidates and Political Committees to file Municipal Campaign & Political Finance Reports. [In addition, Statements of Financial Interest (SFI) were also required to be filed with the Election Commission on or before the date that nomination papers were due (July 31, 2023)]

Updates from the Cambridge Election Commission
Deadline to Register to Vote, Early Vote by Mail Ballots, and Absentee Ballots for the Municipal Election, November 7th

The Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. For Cambridge residents not already registered, the last day to register to vote is Saturday, October 28, 2023. The Election Commission office will be open from 9am until 5pm. Online voter registration is available until 11:59pm on October 28th at www.registertovotema.com. Individuals may use the online system to submit an online application, update their address or change their party affiliation. You must have a valid driver's license, learner's permit, or non-driver ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). If you do not have an RMV ID you can use the system to create an application. Print and sign the completed form and mail or bring it to the office of the Cambridge Election Commission. Mailed registrations must be postmarked by October 28th.

The deadline to receive a request for an early vote by mail ballot or absentee ballot to be mailed is Tuesday, October 31st at 5pm.

The polls will be open on Election Day, November 7th from 7:00am until 8:00pm. For any additional information, please visit the Cambridge Election Commission office at 51 Inman Street, call (617-349-4361) or visit our website at: www.cambridgema.gov/election

Drop Box Locations:

MAIN DROP BOX: Coffon Building, 51 Inman Street, Right-side of the front entrance
open from Friday, October 13, 2023 to Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 8pm. This drop box location will be the ONLY one open on Election Day, November 7, 2023.

SATELLITE DROP BOX LOCATIONS: The following locations will be open from Friday, October 13, 2023, to Monday, November 6, 2023, at 8pm. Satellite locations will NOT be open on Election Day, November 7, 2023.
City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Near the rear door
Morse School, 40 Granite Street, Near the front entrance
Cambridge Police Headquarters, 125 6th Street, Near the front of the building
Maria L. Baldwin School, 85 Oxford Street, Right-side of the Oxford Street entrance
O’Neill Library, 70 Rindge Avenue, Adjacent to the entrance stairs

Please make sure your voted ballot is sealed inside of the jurat envelope (yellow envelope) and the affirmation on the jurat envelope has been signed prior to inserting the envelope into the drop box.

In-Person Early Voting:
Any registered voter can vote early. Unlike Election Day, you are not assigned to a polling location during the early voting period. You can go to any of the three (3) Cambridge early voting locations during the times designated below. The Election Commission office at 51 Inman Street will NOT be an early voting location for this election.

• Cambridge Water Department - 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
• Main Library - 449 Broadway
• Valente Library - 826 Cambridge Street, side entrance on Berkshire Street

Questions? Visit our Early Voting Website at www.CambridgeMA.gov/EarlyVoting Call the Election Commission Office at 617-349-4361 or email: elections@cambridgema.gov

Aides to Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui allege toxic workplace behavior (Boston Globe, Oct 16, 2023)
“Siddiqui declined an interview request for this story, but responded to detailed questions in an emailed statement, saying allegations of workplace mistreatment “are [either] simply not true or mischaracterizations.” ”

“Noting the timing of the upcoming city election, and the fact that some of the mayor’s critics have been or are political opponents, Siddiqui and allies also suggested the accusations may be motivated by politics.”

How does it make you feel, Madame Mayor, to have your political rivals gang up on you several weeks before the municipal election? Regardless of the merit or lack thereof in what is stated in the article, welcome to the sewer that Cambridge politics has become. - RW

Rally at City Hall - Oct 9, 2023

From The Dispatch, Oct 10: In a statement Monday, President Joe Biden announced that 11 American citizens had been among those killed in the attacks on Israel over the weekend, with more likely held hostage by Hamas. “In this moment of heartbreak, the American people stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israelis,” the president said, likening the attack to those America suffered on September 11, 2001. “We remember the pain of being attacked by terrorists at home, and Americans across the country stand united against these evil acts that have once more claimed innocent American lives. It is an outrage. And we will continue to show the world that the American people are unwavering in our resolve to oppose terrorism in all forms.”

Meanwhile, in Cambridge, MA, hundreds rallied in front of Cambridge City Hall shouting Intifada! Intifada! in what can best be described as a celebration of the recent atrocities committed by Hamas. There were some familiar faces in the crowd, including people politically active in Cambridge. Now I know that this was not a representative sample of the people of Cambridge, and I certainly don’t believe that antisemitism and the celebration of murder, rape, and kidnapping is tolerated by any more than a small minority of deranged residents. I also got the sense that many of the celebrants were not actually Cambridge residents and included plenty of area college students. That said, they chose Cambridge City Hall as the site for their rally. “No Place for Hate” – except when it is. When fires grow, consider who is providing the oxygen.

I stood with the Israel supporters across the street, and I stand with Israel now. I hope this war is resolved quickly with minimal loss of life. I now look forward to some classic “bothsidesism” from our Cambridge elected officials and candidates. - Robert Winters

When People Tell You Who They Are, Believe Them (Bari Weiss, The Free Press, Oct 10, 2023)
This is what ‘decolonization’ really looks like. Look carefully at who is cheering it on.

This Is What ‘Decolonization’ Looks Like (Peter Savodnik, The Free Press, Oct 9, 2023)
Fancy-sounding academic jargon is not a curious intellectual exercise. Words make worlds. Words make nightmares.

“And as you might have seen, there was some sort of rave or desert party where they were having a great time until the resistance came in electrified hang gliders and took at least several dozen hipsters,” a speaker at a Democratic Socialists of America rally in New York proclaimed to whoops and laughter. (DSA members include representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar.)

You can learn more about Eugene Puryear, the person who said these words on Wikipedia. Puryear writes regularly for Liberation News, the newspaper of the Party for Socialism and Liberation. In 2008, Puryear ran on the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s ticket alongside presidential nominee Gloria La Riva. The La Riva/Puryear slate was on the ballot in six states and received 6,818 total votes. In July 2015, Puryear was announced as the running mate of Gloria La Riva, the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s 2016 presidential nominee. However, he was not eligible to hold the office, as he would not have been at least 35 years old by Inauguration Day. He was critical of the Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

Many of you may recall that the “Party for Socialism and Liberation” was the primary organizer of the series of anti-police rallies and Cambridge City Council meeting disruptions earlier this year. Those rallies and the demands associated with those rallies were enthusiastically supported by some sitting City Councillors as well as some of the current crop of City Council candidates.

Oct 5 – Findings of Inquest and Public Records Regarding Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting of Sayed Faisal in Cambridge (Middlesex County District Attorney's Office)

REPORT ON THE INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF SAYED FAISAL IN CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS ON JANUARY 4, 2023

“Therefore, the Court finds that the fatal shooting of Sayed Faisal on January 4, 2023, was justified and does not constitute a criminal act.”

What is the main message of The Crucible?

“One of the main messages of the play is to show that trying to preserve one’s reputation can end up harming others. But, in keeping one’s honor and integrity, a person can stay true to themselves, and can put an end to fear that might cause hysteria.”

Over this last week or so, I have been subjected to more accusations, innuendo, and suggestions of “inappropriate comments” than I have ever known, and some individuals and political organizations have even gone so far as to do harm to the reputations of other municipal election candidates with whom I have some affiliation or even candidates about whom I have said positive things. I am astonished that this kind of feeding frenzy has come to Cambridge, but I have little doubt that it is politically motivated by candidates concerned about their own electability (or their reelection) as well as by at least one political organization fearful of losing ground in the upcoming municipal election.

Some people have suggested that I issue some sort of public apology for things I have written and even for “liking” things I found humorous. I make no apologies for things that I may find funny - and I don’t think that anyone should ever apologize for their personal sense of humor. I consider Dave Chappelle to be perhaps the most brilliant comedian of the last several decades - even though I am aware that some people are offended by some of what he says.

I am certain that some people are offended by some of my commentary about elected officials, activists, and others. If you feel that I have been unfair at times, you might even be correct, but that’s the nature of personal expression, and I certainly hope that free speech does not become a casualty of this current hysteria. Indeed, some of the people hurling criticism at me, including one of the current candidates, have “tweeted” views far more offensive than anything I have ever written. I will leave it others to provide details.

One particular “tweet” that has been used to do harm to my reputation was one relating to a blogger who uses (or used at one time) the handle “LibsofTikTok”. That blogger posted something on Twitter about something taking place in a library somewhere else in the country, and my great “offense” was to rather naively note (based on a published update from the Cambridge Public Library that arrived around that time) that there was a similar event in Cambridge. I simply made that purely informational note. That’s it. No agenda, no endorsement, nothing. I did not “retweet” anything - at least not that I am aware of, yet this otherwise forgettable note has now been used by politically motivated people to brand me in ways that are unfair and untrue. So… if anyone was actually offended by my naive act, you have my unequivocal and sincere apology.

Now, will there be any apologies forthcoming from “A Better Cambridge” or their endorsed candidates who have been unfairly exploiting this kerfuffle for their own purely political reasons? Will the other City Council candidate who expressed actual anti-Catholic bigotry (and lots more) be issuing apologies? – Robert Winters

Oct 3 – Nothing like being threatened by a cyberbully to really make your day. – RW

Now It’s My Turn To Speak (Oct 2, 2023) — by Robert Winters

Dispatches from the Campaign Trail

Sept 28 – One of the great things about candidacy (as well as maintaining the Cambridge Civic Journal) is that you get to meet and interact with a lot of people, and that includes most or all of the candidates in the municipal election. At a gathering Wednesday evening called the “Mass Ave Mixer” held at Starlight Square I was able to meet one-on-one and talk with School Committee candidate Elizabeth Hudson (I hope to get more from her soon for her Candidate Page). What a joy it was to speak with someone brimming with so much knowledge and enthusiasm – a real pleasant departure from the usual “elevator pitches” and shallow promises that is all too often the norm when listening to some of the candidates. Every time I hear someone say “vibrant neighborhoods” or “educating all of our children” (note the emphasis) I cringe just a little bit because it all seems so perfunctory. When it comes to the Cambridge Public Schools, I want to hear about mathematics and science and reading skills far more than I want to hear about how well trained our students are in officially sanctioned opinions. I would like to know that when a student expresses a strong interest in a particular subject or an aspiration to pursue a particular career path that our school system will not hinder that student but rather provide whatever guidance and support it takes to help that student fulfill their choices. Call me biased because of my mathematics background, but I also want to know that every student meets mathematics proficiency standards and every student is given every opportunity to excel if that is their desire.

The School Committee election is all too often overlooked by the listservs, the blogs and the various self-appointed king- and queen-makers. We live in a political environment where a small cadre of “influencers” attempt to decide for everyone what “the issues” are - regardless of the experiences of most residents. Try asking a parent what matters. Try asking a young person who just wants to be able to do something fun and interesting after school. It’s not all about AHO and bike lanes and misperceptions about our local police, but you might never know that from the various candidate forums and questionnaires from advocacy groups whose concerns are narrower than the width of a human hair.

I’m going to try to get to know some of the other new School Committee candidates better. You should too. – Robert Winters

Random Draw of Precincts - 2023

Oct 18, 2023 - The “Random Draw of Precincts” determines the order in which ballots from precincts throughout the city are counted in the election. Though this has a relatively minor effect on the tabulation of the ballots (because of the “Cincinnati Method” used to transfer surplus ballots), it can potentially make a difference in a very close election. It’s also somewhat significant during rounds of the election count when candidates reach quota and are elected. Here’s the ordering determined by lottery (read down the columns):

What will this year’s tax rate message be?

Some of us are waiting to see what the combined impact will be of potential commercial property tax abatements due to increased vacancies, the City’s Operating Budget growing faster than inflation, City Council demands for more programs and subsidies, and other factors. Here’s what the messages have said over the last decade - reverse chronologically:

FY2024 (Oct 2, 2023): The City has apparently decided to no longer make a statement of the form: “A majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than ---- in their tax bill.” Instead there’s this: “The FY24 Budget includes 54 new full-time positions related to the ongoing expansion and increasing demands of important city programs and initiatives, such as within human services, library services, infrastructure, facilities, equity and inclusion, human resources, economic opportunity, zoning, inspectional services, public and community safety, and housing.” and “This year, both the residential and commercial property tax rates will increase. The impact of the levy increase has been tempered due to the large amount of industrial (lab) growth we have again this year. The new growth value for the industrial class is almost $975,000,000 which allows the City to again lower the Minimum Residential Factor calculated by the Department of Revenue. Changes to the median value by residential class and tax bills can be seen in Table III below. Additionally, a major concern going forward is that if residential value increases outpace commercial/industrial/personal property increases, the City could hit the ceiling for the property tax classification shift. Once the classification ceiling is reached, the residential class will bear the majority of any tax levy increase.”

FY2023 (Sept 2022): “A majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $250 in their tax bill. … In fact, in FY23, 80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $250. This is an increase from FY22, where 74.7% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.”

FY2022 (Oct 2021): “This will be the seventeenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. … In fact, in FY22, 58% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 75% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a slight decrease from FY21, where 59% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100 and 77% of residential taxpayers saw an increase of less than $250.”

FY2021 (Oct 2020): “This will be the sixteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY21, 59% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 77% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a small decrease from FY20, where 61% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100. However, it is an increase from FY20 in terms of the percentage of residential taxpayers (74%) that saw an average increase of less than $250.”

FY2020 (Oct 2019): “This will be the fifteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY20, 61% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 74% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a decrease from FY19, where 70% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100 and a decrease where 83% of residential taxpayers saw an average increase of less than $250 in FY19.”

FY2019 (Oct 2018): “This will be the fourteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY19, 69.8% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 82.6% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a slight increase from FY18, where 68.9% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100 and a decrease where 91.5% of residential taxpayers saw an average increase of less than $250 in FY18.”

FY2018 (Oct 2017): “This will be the thirteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY18, 68.9% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 91.5% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is an increase from FY17, where 67.3% of residential taxpayers saw no reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100. Over the past ten years, the City has seen an average of 72.6% of residential taxpayers see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than a $100 to their residential tax bill, and 73.9% over the past five years.”

FY2017 (Sept 2016): “This will be the twelfth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY17, approximately 67% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100.”

FY2016 (Sept 2015): “This will be the eleventh year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY16, approximately 87% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100.”

FY2015 (Sept 2014): “Approximately 72% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100 in their FY15 tax bill. In addition, another 13% of residential taxpayers will see an increase between $100 and $250. Therefore, a total of 85% of the residential taxpayers will see no increase or an increase of less than $250. This will be the tenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100.”

FY2014 (Sept 2013): “In addition, approximately 74.1% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100 in their FY14 property tax bill. Another 13.5% of residential taxpayers will see an increase between $100 and $250. Therefore, a total of 87.6% of the residential taxpayers will see no increase or an increase of less than $250. This will be the ninth year in a row that a 13 majority of residential taxpayers will see either a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100. The average annual percentage of residential taxpayers who, over the last eight years, will see either a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100, stands at 73.5%.”

It is worth noting, however, that most residential taxpayers are now condominium owners, and because the residential exemption is a fixed amount across all residential categories, this partially explains the apparent relatively modest impact on residential taxpayers. There is a much greater impact on owners of single-, two- and three-family homes. Here’s some information I posted about a year ago that provides some details:

A word or two about Cambridge property tax increases (posted Nov 2022, updated Sept 29, 2023)

There’s a phrase that the Cambridge City Administration has been including in its annual “Dear Residents and Taxpayers of Cambridge” mailing for years that goes something like this: “For FY23, 80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.” This phrase used to end with “or an increase of less than $100”, but I suppose the percentages are much more appealing with the change. One might actually be led to believe that the tax levy is going down based on the initial reading of this annual message. In fact, this year (FY23) the tax levy went up by 7.4%, and the increases in recent years were 4.7%, 7.85%, 6.9%, 5.3%, and 3.8% (reverse chronologically). Much of the tax increases were picked up by commercial properties due to tax classification and City’s tax policy decisions, but the residential tax burden has certainly been on the rise.

One major source of confusion in the competing narratives of “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction…” and the “the tax levy went up by 7.4%” comes down to the fact that condominiums now comprise a very large percentage of residential tax bills, and condo owners have been getting a pretty sweet deal while much of the burden has shifted onto single-, two- and three-family property owners (as well as new residential buildings). Here’s a chart showing the median annual changes in residential tax bills (including the residential exemption) over the last 15 years:

Median Annual Tax Increases - Cambridge
Tax Year	condo	single-family	two-family	three-family
FY2009	$ 18	$ 40	$ 24	$ 72
FY2010	$ 69	$ 119	$ 47	$ 41
FY2011	$ 77	$ 306	$ 132	$ 154
FY2012	$ 60	$ 269	$ 177	$ 215
FY2013	$ 65	$ 159	$ 80	$ 85
FY2014	- $ 38	$ 109	$ 110	$ 201
FY2015	$ 15	$ 11	$ 334	$ 253
FY2016	- $ 18	$ 64	$ 101	$ 217
FY2017	$ 11	$ 324	$ 237	$ 336
FY2018	$ 76	$ 136	$ 33	$ 61
FY2019	$ 21	$ 124	$ 292	$ 469
FY2020	$ 43	$ 449	$ 366	$ 369
FY2021	$ 3	$ 246	$ 131	$ 218
FY2022	$ 33	$ 545	$ 301	$ 335
FY2023	- $ 107	$ 419	$ 269	$ 379
FY2024	- $ 7	$ 743	$ 494	$ 598
5 year average	- $ 7	$ 480	$ 312	$ 380
10 year average	$ 7	$ 306	$ 256	$ 324
15 year average	$ 20	$ 268	$ 207	$ 262
current number of properties (FY23)	14841	3910	2292	1168

As you can see from these figures, it’s the large number of condominiums (nearly 15,000) that enables the City to declare such things as “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.” For owners of single-, two-, and three-family homes, the story is quite different - especially during the last 5 years. Indeed, this year continues the sweet deal for condo owners. This year’s median change for condo owners is a reduction of $7, while it’s increases of $743 for a single-family, $494 for a two-family, and $598 for a three-family. Next year promises to see even greater increases.

Sign of the Times - Dedication of Memorial Sign for Rep. Saundra M. Graham

Sept 30, 2023 – It was a great gathering of family and friends of Saundra Graham this morning at the corner of Jay St. and Western Ave. - the longtime home of former City Councillor and State Rep. Saundra M. Graham. One thing many newcomers to Cambridge don’t understand is just how deep and wide some family connections run, and this is very much the case with the extended family of Saundra Graham. This includes many personal friends of mine – events like this often feel like reunions.

City Councillor Denise Simmons officiated at the unveiling of the marker. It was noteworthy that she was the only incumbent councillor present - yet another reminder of how some neighborhoods and residents are heard much more than others, and everyone who has lived in this Riverside neighborhood for more than a few years knew Saundra Graham or knew about her. Councillor Simmons also revealed that a new street in North Cambridge will soon be named for Saundra. I smiled when I heard one family member suggest that Central Square should be referred to as “Nana Square” - Saundra was known to many family members as “Nana”. Her memorial service at Harvard’s Memorial Church was really one for the ages [my comments here], and this unveiling was a welcome follow-up event.

While many of us were there to meet friends and to reminisce about people and events in years past, current controversies are never far away. Many of the same Riverside neighbors continue to have concerns about traffic spilling over into the neighborhood during extended Memorial Drive closures, and with the memorial sign inches from the Western Ave. bike lane one discourteous cyclist took great exception to the assembled crowd being in his lane and tried to plow through the crowd spewing words of resentment. Go figure. Meanwhile the rest of us had a grand old time, and that included four of five generations of Saundra’s family members. I would also like to personally thank Denise Simmons for the invitation. - RW

Cambridge Community Safety Department Hires New Community Assistance Response and Engagement Team

Sept 29, 2023 – The City of Cambridge’s Community Safety Department, whose mission is to provide residents with an alternative police response that prioritizes issues of mental and behavioral health in some of the city’s most vulnerable communities, has announced the hiring of an Assistant Director of Clinical Services, and new Community Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) team. These new team members have extensive experience in social work, mental health counseling, developmental psychology, emergency medical services, and other areas.

Marie Mathieu, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) who has spent her 15-year career working in various systems, has been named the Community Safety Department’s Assistant Director of Clinical Services. Prior to joining the Community Safety Department, Marie worked as the first social worker for Cambridge Public Library and also as an advisor at the Boston College School of Social Work. Marie prioritizes person-centered approaches and community partnerships in all her work. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s of social work from Andrews University and enjoys communicating in Haitian-Creole and Spanish.

In her new role as the Assistant Director of Clinical Services, Marie will be responsible for providing clinical and programmatic leadership for the CARE team and will assist in the overall functioning of the Community Safety Department. She will provide clinical supervision to the team of CARE responders.

The CARE team currently includes the following professionals:

• Jeffrey Alger grew up in Hopedale, Massachusetts and has been working in the field of public safety for over 16 years, most recently as an EMT in Cambridge. He has also served his community as a firefighter and 911 dispatcher.
• Fernandes Francois, who was born and raised in Cambridge, holds a degree in Youth Justice and Advocacy from Boston University. He most recently worked in the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and served as a 911 dispatcher.
• Matthew Gomes is a Cambridge resident, majored in Psychology at Florida State University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at U-Mass Boston. Prior to joining the Cambridge Community Safety Department, he worked as a Research Assistant in the Flavell Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, where he looked at serotonin-signaling in nematodes to understand how neural circuits sustain behaviors.
• Evie Lueders-Booth grew up in Cambridge and holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from U-Mass Boston and a master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons College. She has worked at local community schools, Cambridge Youth Programs (CYS), and the Cambridge Mayors Summer Youth Employment Program.
• Dimitri Virgile, who grew up in Medford, holds a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University and a master’s degree from Quinnipiac University. He started his professional career working as an EMT, where he was promoted to the position of Field Training Officer.
• Lydia Waldo grew up in Maine and is a lifelong New Englander. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Environmental Studies and earned her master’s in social work with a focus in trauma practice. She is a trained EMT and deployed with FEMA to provide disaster relief after Hurricane Ian in 2022.
• Elijah Williams, who is originally from Hartford, Connecticut, graduated with honors from Mount Ida with a bachelor’s degree in Developmental Psychology. He has worked at the Y2Y Youth Shelter in Harvard Square and the Inpatient Psych Unit at Tufts Medical Center.
• Jade Young was born in Boston and has over a decade of experience working in the field of human services. She has a long track record of working with at-risk youth, the formerly incarcerated, and the unhoused.

Marie and the CARE team members join other newly hired staff at the Community Safety Department, including Director Liz Speakman, LICSW, Program Coordinator Michele Scott, and Administrative Coordinator Kara Blue. They are undergoing extensive training that was developed with input from behavioral health experts in the community. In addition to technical training on critical disciplines like CPR and conflict mediation, the responders will also be equipped with in-depth knowledge around issues such as suicidality, gender violence, homelessness, and boundary setting. Upon the completion of the training, the CARE team will then conduct community outreach and resource support over the winter. They expect to respond to select 9-1-1 calls in Cambridge beginning in March 2024.

For more information about the Community Safety Department, please visit the Community Safety Department website, e-mail info@cambridgesafety.org or call 617-349-7200.

City of Cambridge Seeking Members to Serve on Bicycle and Pedestrian Committees
[see below for an editorial comment]

Sept 28, 2023 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking persons interested in serving on the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Committees. The application deadline for these committees is Monday, October 30, 2023.

The committees give advice and input to the City on how to improve our streets for transportation and mobility, and also promote sustainable transportation. The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Committee members must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, persons of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applications are sought from a diverse group of dedicated individuals who are representatives of people who live and/or work in Cambridge.

Committee meetings are currently being held virtually via Zoom, but may return to in-person/hybrid in the future. Committee members are expected to attend monthly meetings, review materials, and engage in projects outside of regular meetings. Appointments are made by the City Manager and are for two years of service. Learn more about these two committees and how to apply below.

The Cambridge Bicycle Committee works to improve conditions for people who bicycle or are interested in bicycling in the City of Cambridge and promotes bicycling as a means of transportation. Activities include: organizing and participating in community bike rides; creating/reviewing promotional materials that encourage bicycling in the city; reviewing city/state plans for street/path construction and improvements; reviewing development projects to ensure they are bike and pedestrian friendly; and collaborating with the Pedestrian and Transit Committees.

The Bicycle Committee generally meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 5:30-7:30pm. For more information about the Cambridge Bicycle Program, visit: Cambridgema.gov/bikes. Learn more about the Bicycle Committee here.

The Cambridge Pedestrian Committee works to promote walking as a means of transportation and enjoyment, and helps create a more comfortable, safe, and pleasant environment for walking in Cambridge. Activities include: organizing and participating in community walks; creating/reviewing promotional materials that encourage walking in the city; reviewing city/state plans for street/path construction and improvements; reviewing development projects to ensure they are bike and pedestrian-friendly; identifying intersections and other locations where improvements might be needed to make it easier to walk; and collaborating with the Bicycle and Transit Committees.

The Pedestrian Committee generally meets on the fourth Thursday of each month from 6-8pm. (November and December meetings are on the third Thursday.) For more information about walking resources in Cambridge, visit: Cambridgema.gov/citysmart. Learn more about the Pedestrian Committee here.

Interested individuals may apply for either of these two committees through the City’s online portal at CambridgeMA.gov/apply. The application deadline for both the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committees is Monday, October 30, 2023. A cover letter and resume, or an overview of relevant experience, can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications can also be obtained at the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail, please contact the City Manager’s Office at citymanager@cambridgema.gov.

Editorial Comment: There is a fundamental problem in the way a number of City Boards & Commissions are constituted. Specifically, City staff generally vet all of the applicants – which is good, because we would hope that our citizen volunteers are well-matched to the task – but in some cases there seems to be far too much control by City staff who want to see only those applicants whose point of view and priorities match those of the person vetting the applicants. We certainly would not want to see somebody appointed to the Recycling Advisory Committee who was an adamant opponent of recycling. On the other hand, if the only people allowed by City staff to serve on the Cambridge Bicycle Committee are residents whose priorities exactly match those of one or two City staff, then every recommendation or proposal from that committee needs to be understood not necessarily as what residents of the city would choose, but really just the choice of the City staff who decide who may sit on the committee. This is a problem with other City boards and commissions as well. They all need to be at least reasonably representative of the wide range of viewpoints of city residents. - RW

Plague Report (Sept 28) - Cases elevated, test positivity lower but still very high (14.24%), wastewater levels remain high. Figures and variant information will be updated at least weekly (Thursdays).

Note: The Covid-19 data expected on October 5 was unavailable due to problems on the Mass.gov website. Hopefully this will be resolved by the next scheduled update on October 12.

Sept 28, 2023

MWRA Biobot recent wastewater data - North System - Oct 2, 2023

The 7-day average reached as high as 8644 (copies/mL) in January 2022 before dropping to as low as 101 in March 2022.
The BA.2 variants brought it back up to 1273 in May 2022 before dropping to under 400.
Earlier this year it rose as high as 2023 due to the latest variants, dropped as low as 85, but now stands at 635 (copies/mL).

Delta/Omicron Variant Overview - as of Sept 20, 2023 [updated Oct 5]

An asterisk (*) indicates that sub-lineages are included. “Other” indicates all other lineages of SARS-CoV-2.

Volunteers Sought to Serve on the Cambridge Human Rights Commission

Sept 21, 2023 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC).

CHRC, which was established in 1984, is dedicated to upholding and safeguarding the fundamental human rights of residents and visitors to the city. CHRC works to eradicate discrimination through an investigative process, proactive community outreach, and collaborations with city and community partners. CHRC aims to create an environment where people of diverse backgrounds can live without fear of discrimination based on the following protected classes: race; color; sex; age; religious creed; disability; national origin or ancestry; sexual orientation; gender identity or gender expression; marital status; family status; military status; and source of income.

Commissioners support staff by working to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Cambridge Human Rights Commission Ordinance, Chapter 2.76 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, which covers discrimination in employment, in places of public accommodation, and in education, and the Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance, Chapter 14.04 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, which covers discrimination in housing. In operational terms, this means that the CHRC is a city law enforcement agency that investigates, mediates, and adjudicates complaints of discrimination in the areas of employment, public accommodation, education, and housing. The CHRC also conducts workshop presentations on fair housing and employment discrimination for community groups, social service agencies, and schools.

Commissioners are expected to:

• Attend monthly meetings;
• Participate and volunteer for outreach and public education initiatives, which can include educating businesses, housing providers, and residents;
• Promote the principals of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
• Work with CHRC staff on the investigation, mediation, and resolution of complaints filed with the Commission.

The City of Cambridge and CHRC is committed to advancing a culture of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion and is seeking Cambridge residents who represent the diversity of Cambridge. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to participate in a collaborative process, consider diverse ideas and perspectives, and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, persons of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Commission consists of 11 members appointed to 3-year terms. Meetings are typically held on the first Thursday of every month from 6-8 p.m., though the meeting schedule may be reassessed to accommodate Commissioners’ needs.  Under the provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, meetings are usually required to be in person at 51 Inman Street; although the CHRC has been meeting remotely under the temporary Open Meeting Law provisions established during the COVID-19 pandemic. CHRC will continue to utilize remote capabilities whenever public health needs arise. A hybrid option will be available.

Board and commission members in Cambridge do not generally receive compensation for their time. However, the City has explored the possibility of offering a stipend for high time commitment boards. Serving on CHRC does not require a high time commitment and therefore is not under consideration for a potential stipend at this time.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, October 23, 2023. Applications can be submitted using the City of Cambridge’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume, or an overview of relevant experience, can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications can also be obtained at the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. 

For more information, contact Carolina Almonte at 617-349-4396 or calmonte@cambridgema.gov.

Cambridge Announces Opening of New Triangle Park in East Cambridge;
Celebration to Be Held September 27

Sept 21, 2023 – The City of Cambridge has announced the opening of the new Triangle Park in East Cambridge, located on Binney Street between First Street and Edwin H. Land Boulevard. An opening celebration will be held at the park on Wed, Sept 27 from 11am to 1pm.

Tree planting and growing the area’s tree canopy were areas of emphasis for the design of Triangle Park. The park is located in the East Cambridge neighborhood, which has less tree canopy compared to other neighborhoods in Cambridge. The park employs a micro-forest planting approach with nearly 400 new trees planted in less than one acre.

“Our parks are such an important part of what makes Cambridge a great place to live, work, and visit,” said City Manager Yi-An Huang. “The opening of this new park, creation of a new public space, and commitment to a more expansive tree canopy are a testament to the dedicated efforts of the City, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, and our community members.”

“The design of this project was guided by the City’s Urban Forest Master Plan and includes significant tree plantings and canopy growth in the Kendall Square area,” said Public Works Commissioner Kathy Watkins. “It also allowed us to try some new approaches for how we think about open spaces and planting trees in the City. As the trees and plantings grow in over time, this unique park will provide an incredible shaded space in the heart of Kendall Square for residents, workers, and visitors to enjoy.”

The passive-use park includes concrete seat walls, lawn spaces, an urban grove with seating, and a multi-purpose timber deck for lounging and seating that can also serve as a small performance stage.

The park is the second of three new parks the City of Cambridge is designing and constructing in the East Cambridge neighborhood, and the second of two built with funding and on land transferred to the City by Alexandria Real Estate Equities. The first (Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park) opened in September 2021.

“Triangle Park is the realization of the shared vision of the City and the community to transform a vacant lot that previously worked as a traffic island to a green oasis in Kendall Square,” said Assistant City Manager for Community Development Iram Farooq. “It’s exciting to track the history from the Alexandria rezoning through which the City received this land to today, when we celebrate the completion of this new park. I look forward to seeing it become a place for residents, workers, and visitors to connect and enjoy community life together.”

The design of the park was led by STOSS Landscape Urbanism and construction was led by Argus Construction Corporation. The park is open from dawn to dusk.

For more information on Triangle Park, visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Parks/trianglepark.

Though this is a mixer and not a political event, it will be a good opportunity for candidates to meet and talk with residents,
to wear your buttons, and even to pass around information about your candidacy. Please, no signs! This is not a “visibility”!

Member Sought to Fill Vacancy on Cambridge Water Board

Sept 19, 2023 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking a Cambridge resident to fill a vacancy on the Cambridge Water Board.

The Cambridge Water Board is a five-member board appointed by the City Manager that acts in an advisory role to the Managing Director of the Cambridge Water Department. Members typically assist in developing, modifying, and approving policy related to Water Department owned land and land use. Water Board members are appointed to a five-year term.

Ideal candidates should have a general knowledge of or experience in Water Resource protection and/or open greenspace land management policies and practices in an urban environment balancing multiuse activities and recreation with wildlife habit protection and species diversity.

It is a City of Cambridge goal to expand and deepen community engagement with a focus on strengthening the diversity and inclusion of its various boards and commissions. Prospective applicants should have the ability to participate in a collaborative process and consider diverse ideas and perspectives.

The Water Board meets virtually on the second Tuesday of the month, from 5:00-6:30pm, and occasionally on site at the Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge.

Applications to serve on this committee can be submitted to City Manager Yi-An Huang using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience should be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The application deadline is Monday, October 23, 2023.

For more information, contact Mark Gallagher at mgallagher@cambridgema.gov.

Members Sought for the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women

Sept 18, 2023 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women.

The Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW) recognizes, supports, and advocates for all who self-identify as women or with womanhood, including transgender, gender fluid, and non-binary persons. The Commission stands with and for all women and girls, regardless of immigration status, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability or religion.

Commissioners support staff in their mission to promote equity for all women and advocate on their behalf with other city departments, officials, and local organizations to increase their opportunities through policy recommendations and program development.

Commissioners also help staff create and promote programs and services that:

• Foster the advancement of women within the city; particularly historically underrecognized women;
• Create and promote programs that increase public awareness and understanding of multiple issue areas, including but not limited to gender-based violence, women’s history, women’s health, and workplace equity;
• Provide technical assistance, information, and referral to individuals, community organizations, businesses, and other city departments related to women’s and girls’ services;
• Work with community organizations and coalitions to promote equity for Cambridge women.

While experience working with women is not a requirement, a commitment to and an interest in principles of anti-racism, equity, anti-oppression, autonomy, and dignity for women is required. Additionally, all Commissioners must be Cambridge residents.

The City is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

Commissioners should be able to:

• Participate in a collaborative process;
• Consider diverse ideas and perspectives;
• Represent the Commission at community meetings;
• Bring the needs and issues of the communities you connect with back to the Commission;
• Be aware of your own privilege and power; how you use it and how it influences your experiences in the world.

Under the provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, meetings are usually required to be in person; although the Women’s Commission did meet remotely under the temporary Open Meeting Law provisions established during the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to utilize remote capabilities whenever public health needs arise.

CCSW meets the second Wednesday of every month from 6-8pm at 51 Inman Street. Commissioners are expected to attend these monthly meetings, in addition to community events, programs, and meetings as needed and as able. The position is a three-year term.

Women who may have a harder time meeting these time commitments – single parents, jobs requiring evening hours, etc. are also encouraged to apply and CCSW will work to accommodate as best as possible.

Individuals interested in being considered should apply by using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting “Commission on the Status of Women” in the list of Current Vacancies. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience is required and can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is October 16, 2023.

Member Sought for Cambridge’s Open Data Review Board

Sept 13, 2023 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking to fill a vacancy on Cambridge’s Open Data Review Board and is looking for representatives from public, private, academic, or nonprofit sectors with expertise in or relevant experience with Open Data. Members serve a 2-year term and may be eligible for reappointment.

The City’s Open Data Program makes government data easily available in useful formats, and is intended to increase transparency, foster engagement among residents, and create new opportunities for collaboration between the City of Cambridge and the public.

The Open Data Review Board, comprised of at least three residents and four or more city employees, will meet quarterly to help ensure that the program balances its goals of transparency and accessibility with the City’s obligation to protect private, confidential, and sensitive information. It is a City of Cambridge goal to expand and deepen community engagement with a focus on strengthening the diversity and inclusion of its various boards and commissions.

The Board will make recommendations to the City Manager and the Data Analytics & Open Data Program Manager on policies, rules, and standards related to Cambridge’s Open Data Program, including methods for determining the appropriate level of accessibility for new datasets and timelines for making new datasets available. Specifically, the Review Board will help answer the following questions:

• What privacy and security standards should Cambridge adopt as it assesses potential Open open datasets?
• What data quality and standards should be in place to ensure the accuracy of its own open datasets in order to improve City operations?
• How might Cambridge align open data initiatives with the City's other strategic initiatives?
• How should Cambridge engage and educate the broader community – including residents, businesses, and research institutions – to maximize use of the City’s open data?
• How might Cambridge partner with other municipalities, government entities, and institutions in the open data space?
• How should Cambridge market the open data program internally to improve participation among City departments?

Open Date Board meetings are usually hybrid and held quarterly on a Wednesday or Thursday from 5:30-8pm in the Ackermann Room of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, October 16, 2023. Applications can be submitted using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.

For more information about this board, contact Reinhard Engels, Data Analytics & Open Data Program Manager, rengels@cambridgema.gov.

A Personal Note from Candidate Winters

Sept 11 – The phone and email messages have been fast and furious over these last few weeks due to my multiple roles with CCJ, maintaining the Cambridge Candidate Pages, lending assistance to at least a half dozen other candidates, starting the new semester teaching, being a landlord, and now being a City Council candidate and, quite frankly, it has been somewhat overwhelming. I am trying hard to catch up this week, but please forgive me for any delays or perceptions that I may have fallen off the planet. I hope to soon be planting a few yard signs here and there and reaching out to potential voters like candidates are supposed to do. I am especially grateful to all who have offered assistance in various ways, and I am grateful to those who have so far sent donations for the political campaign without my even asking. I have never been comfortable asking for money or receiving it - even though I know that it’s necessary. In fact, I'm not really good at asking for help since I have been acting mainly on my own for so long.

The various candidate forums and other events are now starting, and that’s an environment that I generally enjoy. I hope to cross paths with many of you there and elsewhere. Talking with people is, at least for me, so much easier and more rewarding than the shameless self-promotion that is an unfortunate aspect of candidacy. – Robert Winters

Mass Ave Planning Study Working Group (Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway) Call for Members

Sept 8, 2023 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking volunteers to serve on the Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) Working Group (Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway).

The Cambridge Community Development Department (CDD), in collaboration with other city departments and guided by the Cambridge community, will craft a vision for the future of Massachusetts Avenue, between Cambridge Common and Alewife Brook Parkway. The planning study will address topics of land use, urban design, housing, climate resiliency, small business support, mobility, and public space, as well as zoning recommendations for future development.

The MAPS working group will be an important participant in the planning study. Participants will be community members with direct relationships to Mass Ave; in particular, the section of Mass Ave from the Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway. The working group will:

• Contribute to the planning process.
• Review proposals.
• Give recommendations.
• Share feedback from the community.

Throughout the project, the working group will provide additional feedback and guidance to the planning team, which includes city staff and consultants. This will include feedback on:

• Community outreach – Are we connecting with the right people?
• Study area analysis – Have we examined all we need to so we can make informed decisions?
• Project vision – What do we want this part of Mass Ave to look and feel like?
• Planning recommendations – Do the future land use, zoning and design recommendations reflect the interests of the community and city priorities.

This working group will provide additional community input, building upon a robust community outreach process for the plan.

The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All Working Group members must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

You do not need to have legal immigration status to volunteer on the working group. You do not need to be a Cambridge resident to apply; however, we expect members to have a close affiliation with this section of Mass Ave. That includes business owners and employees, local residents, representatives of community-based organizations or institutions, property owners, and other community stakeholders.

Members should be connected to the Mass Ave community. It is important to have an interest and enthusiasm for learning about urban planning and hearing from the community to shape the Mass Ave Planning Study. Successful members of the working group will be able to:

• Listen to people from diverse backgrounds and consider different points of view.
• Collaborate and build consensus with a group of people.
• Consider how changes on Mass Ave might contribute to the quality of life in the area.
• Engage with many aspects of urban planning, including urban design, transportation, housing, infrastructure planning, public space, community engagement and more.

The working group is expected to meet approximately six to eight times over the duration of the project (18 months). Before each meeting, the working group will receive preparation materials. Members are expected to spend approximately one hour reviewing the materials before each meeting if possible. Meetings are expected to last approximately two hours and generally occur in the evenings. Most meetings will be hybrid (in-person with remote attendance via Zoom). However, there may be instances where in-person attendance, such as a study area tour, will be necessary. Virtual attendees must have their own device and access to the Internet. Working group meetings and materials will be provided in English.

Applications can be submitted using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. With your application, please include a letter explaining why you are interested in volunteering on the working group and a description of your relevant experience, background, and unique perspective on this section of Mass Ave. The City of Cambridge welcomes applicants with a diversity of experiences and perspectives, and values those with a desire to positively shape the future of Mass Ave. Paper applications can also be obtained at the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.

The application deadline is Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

After an initial review of applications, an interview process with CDD staff will be held with applicants that are best suited for the working group. Recommendations for members will be sent to the City Manager for approval.

For more information about the working group, contact Drew Kane at dkane@cambridgema.gov.

Candidate Voting Records in Cambridge Municipal Elections: 2001 - present

Sept 7, 2023 (revised Sept 18) - I received a request today for information about the voting records of this year’s municipal election candidates. Bear in mind that the older you are and the longer you have lived in Cambridge the more likely it is that you may have a distinguished voting record. I will add that there are only 84 Cambridge residents remaining who have never missed a single citywide election since 2001 (supervoters). I am one of them, and (not surprisingly) I know about half of them personally. - RW