Sean Fitzgerald, 2011 Alderman 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)?

I am most proud to have worked on the statewide campaigns of numerous progressive candidates in the recent 2010 state elections. They include Governor Deval Patrick, Treasurer Steve Grossman, Auditor Suzanne Bump, and Attorney General Martha Coakley. This was under the auspices of the Arlington-Lexington Coordinated Campaign Office. In addition, I also advanced the cause of several local state senate and representative races as well, ensuring that progressive legislators, and the ideals they espouse would continue to be heard.

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

The extension of the Green Line into Somerville-Though it's limited as to what the Board of Alderman and the Mayor can really do to advance this effort, I would mobilize my colleagues on the Board-and the community at large-to advocate for this project. A large, vocal, and boisterous lobbying effort is the best weapon to convince the state that this project cannot be delayed another day, let alone until 2018!

Affordable housing is also a main concern, with the proliferation of condo conversion to create new housing stock, we need to take a close look at the impact these development have on the delivery of basic services, public safety and public works. I would examine what this is doing to the housing stock of the City.

Commercial development, and the development of Assembly Square is another of my top three agenda priorities. This development will help alleviate the property tax burden average Somerville homeowner faces, and is paramount to the city financial future. Assembly Square development that features a high-density, mixed-use, and transit-orientated development, anchored by a new Orange Line t stop, is probably the most pressing concern the City is facing in the next 10 years. I would closely look at the permitting process and development plans as this vital project moves forward.

3. What are your ideas about ways to work to keep Somerville affordable for families of all income levels?

Keeping Somerville affordable involves making sure the City has the necessary revenue to ensure the efficient delivery of basic services like public safety and public works. To lower the tax burden the homeowner (and the renter, indirectly) faces, I would aggressively push for mixed-use commercial development to keep a robust tax revenue stream for the City. There's no reason why Somerville cannot compete with Cambridge for the massive bio-tech and life sciences developments that have established in the Kendall Square area. Somerville was positioned 10 years ago to capture some of this development-an example being the former Catharties property behind Brickbottom, which was built with this development in mind. This area, the Innerbelt, and Union Square would be the areas to target.

4. Do you support ordinances to promote local jobs for local residents and if so please describe how you would go about supporting these kinds of efforts.

I would support ordinances to stimulate local jobs, and I would strongly encourage the Mayor to make that local employment preferences a priority going into any discussion with a prospective developer, retailer, or corporate entity. I would examine how tax incentives might accomplish this goal.

5. Do you support plans to have a Wal-mart open in Assembly Square? Why or why not?

No. I do not support, or patronize these big-box, all-inclusive retailers like Wal-Mart, and Target for that matter. These companies put small business and medium size companies out of business by pricing the competition out of the market. There labor and employment practices are also cause for serious concern at the least, and outright denial at most.

6. Why are you the progressive choice in your race?

I am the progressive choice in this race because I have always supported issues that matter to the progressive cause. From same sex rights, to affordable housing, to the advancement and utilization of "green energy" to the support of reliable public transportation, I have been most comfortable working for the causes the progressive community cares about.

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

My most direct support of a progressive candidate would be my employer, State Representative Jay Kaufman, (D-Lexington), current House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Revenue. Since 2007, I have served as Jay's chief of Staff and he is without question one of the most visible and committed progressives in the Commonwealth. He has received countless awards from numerous progressive organizations, lauding him as dedicated and passionate leader. I also supported the candidates mentioned in Question 1, as well as Senator Pat Jehlen and Representative Denise Provost.

8. What is your stance on the Green line extension through Somerville?

As I referred to earlier in this questionnaire, the extension of the Green Line would be one of my top three priorities, if elected. The community has waited long enough, witnessed the broken promised of three gubernatorial administrations, and lobbied for a successful lawsuit to force the state to realize this project. Another delay is simply not acceptable.

9. What else should we know about your candidacy?

I am running because I have been involved in public service at a very early age, working to help the lives of others in my community.

I've been involved in many volunteer organizations, from my church, to serving on the PTA board (Vice-President) at two schools in Somerville, to participating with my family at events like the City Wide Spring Clean-Up, to coaching Somerville Little League baseball.

As an Alderman, I hope to make a positive impact on the quality of life for all Somerville residents.