Luis Morales, 2009 Alderman-At-Large Questionnaire Responses

1. What political or community activism accomplishments are you most proud of during your last term in office or the last two years if you have not previously served?

While I have not previously served in elected office, I am proud of the community activities I have been involved in throughout Somerville and Massachusetts.

Community service -- I believe one of the most important forms of activism we can engage in is service to the community around us. Throughout my time in Somerville I have strived to be live up to this ideal as both a pastor and a counselor. As founding pastor of Vida Real church in Winter Hill, I have developed a strong community service program without our congregation. Each year, hundreds of congregants take part in our “40 Days of Community Service” an effort to clean the streets not just near our church in Winter Hill, but throughout somerville. (see http://www.luisforsomerville.org/vida-real-practices-faith-by-cleaning-up-somerville)

I have also strived to serve my community on a personal level. I have a Master’s Degree in Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family therapy. This education has proven invaluable to me as I have worked with many young people, particularly young latino men, who are trying to escape gangs. I have also worked with patients in Somerville and other hospitals in the region who struggle with post traumatic stress disorder -- particularly those patients who are new to the United States, and like me came here to escape war and violence.

Welcoming Massachusetts -- Since late 2007 a group of individuals and organizations from around our state have come together in the Welcoming Massachusetts campaign. This is an effort “to make evident the fact that Massachusetts is a Welcoming State and there is political will to pass concrete, sensible, pro-immigrant legislation that serves all residents.” As a leader of the Central American community, I have endorsed and participated in the local aspects of this campaign. Most importantly we successfully lobbied to pass a pro-immigrant resolution through the Somerville School Committee.

Supporting locally owned business in Somerville -- Throughout our region, Somerville is recognized as a cultural and entertainment destination. This is due in no small part to the vibrant and diverse locally owned business community in our city, and the hard work of the hundreds of small business owners. As a local business owner myself, I have been active the East Somerville Main Streets and Somerville Local First to make sure small business can continue to thrive and provide jobs to residents and revenue for city services. Recently, when sharp increases in food costs imposed high costs on local restaurants, I formed a purchasing collective to help obtain wholesale prices on rice and other staples on menus throughout the city. (see http://www.luisforsomerville.org/somerville-restaurants-forming-collective-with-hopes-of-getting-a-better-deal-on-rice)

2. What are your top three agenda priorities and how will you take action on these priorities?

My top priorities include:

i. Affordable housing -- Somerville is currently at a crossroads. As we look to the future there is little doubt that the Green Line extension, and new development in areas like Assembly Square and Union Square will bring new, higher income residents to our presently more affordable neighborhoods. While a vibrant city like Somerville must expect and embrace growth, it is inequitable to allow this change to occur at the cost of low and moderate income residents. Our city leadership right now seems content with allowing development to continue unabated, and considers the preservation and development of affordable housing as an after-thought at best.

As an Alderman At Large I promise to be a strong advocate for municipal policies that help working families and individuals remain in Somerville. From a policy perspective, I will ask the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development to report the effectiveness of the Somerville Linkage Fee to the Board of Aldermen. I am concerned that the current fee is too low to accomplish the goals of that ordinance -- requiring large scale commercial developments to offset the low-wage jobs they create with contributions to the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Contributions of $500,000 from multi-national corporations like Target or Ikea hardly seems sufficient given the hundreds of workers they employe here at near minimum wage. I am also concerned about accountability -- whether certain developments that fall under the ordinance actually pay their fee as required. In addition to Linkage Fee I do support an increase in the citywide inclusionary housing ordinance.

ii. Anti-Displacement -- I believe that the serious challenges we face in keeping housing affordable in Somerville cannot be addressed with a piecemeal approach. At times, I fear for Somerville when I see our city leadership actively oppose community initiatives to strengthen affordable housing laws and allow their constituents to remain in Somerville. As Alderman I will propose the creation of an Anti-Displacement Commission. This group will include members of the city officials, community members, and local social service agencies to monitor future development and make recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen for strengthening existing policies that protect Somerville’s low and moderate income residents. Please read more about this in my answer to question number 8.

iii. Youth development -- If the job of an Alderman is to help strengthen our community today and into the future, I believe one of the most critical ways we can accomplish this is by providing Somerville’s young people with the resources to lead safe and productive lives. Investing in youth leadership development programs and other youth services today will have a greater impact on preventing future crime than any later punitive action.

We are fortunate in Somerville to have a strong network of youth organizations in the that meet regular to coordinate services for the various youth communities they serve. However, it is my understanding that this network has faced challenges coordinating with municipal policymakers under the current administration. As in all aspects of government, we must demand transparency and accountability in city decisions about funding and hiring for youth services so that existing non-profit youth service organizations can strengthen and supplement city programs with services that reach all communities of Somerville youth.

As your Alderman At Large I will be a tireless advocate for Somerville’s youth. I will seek membership on the youth services subcommittee of the Board of Aldermen and will attend the Youth Workers Network Meetings to facilitate dialogue between youth organizations and the city. To the best of my ability I will try to communicate the rational and process that informed every decision of the Board of Alderman that impacts youth in Somerville. In addition, I will be sure to hold the city administration accountable, demanding explanation particularly for decisions that cut funding for youth services.

3. What do you think the City should do with the Powder House School?

While I do not have a specific suggestion for reuse of the Powder House School at this time, I do believe strongly that properties originally built and maintained with city funding should continue to provide community benefits even if sold to private developers. For instance, in the case that the Powder House School is sold for residential use, I would like to see the city require more affordable housing be built on the site than what is currently required under the city’s inclusionary zoning law. If the property is reused for mixed-use or commercial development, such community benefits might include local hiring agreements with the new employers or development of a small business incubator space.

4. Do you think the charter should be changed? If so, what changes would you support?

While I cannot commit to any specific charter changes right now, I believe we must always work to strengthen our democratic system to improve access, equity, and transparency in our local elections. I am certainly open to exploring suggestions that might help achieve these critical goals.

5. What are your ideas for addressing Somerville's current budget crisis? Of the budget recommendations Mayor Curtatone currently is considering, please prioritize your top three.

The current budget crises we face in Somerville is another example of the failed leadership in our city. While the crises was not created in Somerville alone, I believe the city administration has responded with weak solutions that leverage our long-term interest with autocratically-decided, short-term revenue streams. Increasing rates and hours at parking meters may provide a quick influx of cash, but will dissuade people from visiting our city thereby devastating our vibrant local business community and destroying Somerville’s fiscal stability in the long term.

In order to more appropriately address this crises, we must develop revenue streams that provide a reliable income for the city which allow increased funding for youth programs, public health and library services, without increasing fees or taxes that penalize Somerville residents and local businesses. Of the budget recommendations Mayor Curtatone is considering, I support the following options

i. Competitive Sourcing -- I am particularly interested in competitive sourcing of our trash removal services. We have contracted with the same company for many years and I believe an open-bidding process will save taxpayer money and allow more revenue to be directed to important services like youth programing.

ii. Regionalization - Not only would regionalization increase efficiencies and city budgeting and management, but greater inter-municipal cooperation can help achieve local and statewide sustainability goals in regional planning and development.

iii. Rezoning business districts - I do not support a “development first, community second” philosophy which I believe characterizes the approach of the current administration. However, I do believe that upzoning in central business districts like Union Square and East Somerville can be structured in a way that expands the availability of commercial space and increasing revenue for the city while preserving open space and protecting low and moderate income communities.

6. PDS has taken a position against expanding predatory gambling in Massachusetts as a way to increase state revenue and local aid. Do you agree with the position of PDS? Why or why not?

I agree with the PDS position against expanding gambling in Massachusetts. I do not believe that the serious budget crises our state faces can be effectively solved by the legalization of casino gambling. Despite their embrace of casinos, Nevada, New Jersey, and Mississippi all face serious social inequities and budget shortfalls that are not addressed by the revenue generate from legal gaming. Casinos will benefit primarily the gaming industry on the backs of low income Massachusetts residents.

7. Why are you the progressive choice?

Progress is about action, about constantly working to build a stronger, more inclusive and transparent democratic process. In Somerville this means bring more new immigrants and people of color into local government and politics. For the Democratic Party this means further developing a platform based on economic populism to supports working families.

I am committed to working for progress in Somerville. My platform in this race is focused on core progressive goals to help strengthen Somerville and all its residents.

I believe the city must be much stronger and more proactive to ensure working families and individuals can stay in our city. Affordable housing policy must go further to meet the current and future needs, and not just be an after-thought or concession that the city makes to concerned citizens during zoning or regulatory changes. All development in our city should help grow the economic opportunity of all residents through local hiring agreements and support for small business growth. We must eliminate the high cost of corruption, no-bid contracts, and patronage so that we have more revenue to support vital public services like our public education system and youth leadership programs. I am proud to stand for a progressive city agenda that works for all Somerville residents.

I believe strongly in the separation of church and state. I know that, given my faith identity, there have been questions raised about my belief on certain social issues. Let me be clear: I do not and never have supported the politicization of Evangelical Christianity as developed by Karl Rove and the Bush Administration. I fundamentally oppose individuals and organizations that seek to impose their own faith upon American democracy. Those members of the Religious Right right have distorted the fundamental values I hold as a Christian. The values I derive from my faith lead me to pursue peace and justice for all humanity. They are the values that guide my life, and are the values that make me proud to identify as a progressive.

To me, how a church runs and what its congregants and parishioners believe is a very different and separate matter from zoning ordinances, adequate provision for youth opportunities, ‘pot hole’ repair, and the elimination of corruption. I am a businessman, an immigrant, a proud American citizen and, most importantly, a resident of Somerville. Even though I may not agree with every point on the progressive agenda – and I will always be honest and open about this -- I think that you will find me ready to talk and deal with the day to day business of our wonderful city in an appropriate manner that lines up with the overall goals of the progressive community.

8. What will you do to ensure that the Green Line does not displace residents? What are your ideas for balancing affordable housing, business development, and creating/preserving open space along the Green Line?

As progressives, we must work for a sustainable future that benefits all residents of Somerville. I strongly believe that the Green Line is an important tool to address the negative environmental impacts caused by the state and federal highways that cut through our neighborhoods. Public transit expansion is also a critical to address the serious traffic and parking challenges we face as a city that will only increase with likely new development at Assembly Square and Union Square. Unfortunately, the history of transit expansion in Somerville (the Red Line in Davis Square) does not provide a good model for the current challenges. The City of Somerville must be proactive -- both before, during, and after the Green Line extension is complete -- to make sure that low- and moderate-income residents do NOT bear the heaviest burden of redevelopment in Somerville.

I believe that affordable housing, business development and the creation/preservation of open space are not mutually exclusive goals for our city. Certain regulations that already exist in Somerville provide important models for balancing our affordable housing, business development and open space preservation needs. The linkage fee in an important tool to engage large corporations in the supply of affordable housing. In the past, Mayor Curtatone has proposed a revision of the linkage fee to additionally fund open space development. While I am nervous about diluting the critical affordable housing goals of this policy, I am interested in further exploring such mechanisms for enhancing the community benefits that flow to Somerville residents from such large scale developments.

Community activism by concerned Somerville residents is one of the most important tools we have for holding our city leadership accountable and ensuring that the Green Line does not displace residents. Recently, significant resident involvement in negotiations about the upzoning of Union Square led to increase affordable housing requirements there, despite initial strong opposition from the Mayor. In addition, despite years of contentious debate over Assembly Square development residents and workers in East Somerville recently negotiated a local hiring agreement with Ikea which included provisions for a worker center, and won unanimous support from the Board of Aldermen and Mayor.

There should be a much stronger commitment to bringing to bear all of the current community generated initiatives on the decision making process. It’s is certainly necessary to hire planning staff and consultants, but the fact is that Somerville is rich in community capital in the form of people and institutions with deep experience and expertise. The goal should be to highlight and exploit these resources. True, this is sometimes a slow and cumbersome process, but the fact is that the only authentic and real solutions require the full participation of the community. I93 and the McGrath are wonderful examples of autocratic and ‘from the top’ decisions that had and still have very negative impacts on our community.

As your Alderman At Large I will call for the creation of a citywide anti-displacement committee of policymakers, social service agency representatives, and homeowners/tenants to monitor redevelopment and make recommendations to the city administration and Aldermen for improving equity. However, members must not only be appointed by the mayor and meet behind closed doors. The commission should be confirmed by the Board of Aldermen and have advertised, public meetings with ample opportunity for residents to address the committee. It should function like the Human Rights Commission or Women’s Commission. They will monitor new development to ensure permit holders apply with applicable affordable housing and community development policies including appropriate linkage fee payments and community outreach during major redevelopment projects. While such a committee cannot replace the critical work of resident groups like the Affordable Housing Organizing Committee, it will help ensure that the City of Somerville prioritizes, engages, and incorporates the concerns of low and moderate-income communities in transit expansion and redevelopment initiatives throughout our city.

9. Which progressive candidates have you supported in the last five years?

In the past five years I have supported Deval Patrick, Pat Jehlen, Denise Provost, Carl Sciortino, Bill White, Marty Martinez and Fred Berman.

10. What else should we know about your candidacy?

Although I have considered running for office before, this is my first serious and committed attempt to represent my community, the immigrant community, as well as the broader community of Somerville. It has been a challenging and wonderful experience. Somerville is filled with frank and honest people and when they talk to me as a candidate, I learn an enormous amount. I enjoy the challenge, am a life-long hard worker, and am enriched every day by what I learn from the people I talk with. I’m looking forward to applying what I’ve learned as your new Alderman at Large.