Christine Barber, 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)?

During the 2010 election season, I volunteered with the coordinated campaign to elect Gov. Patrick, Sen. Jehlen, Rep. Sciortino, and to oppose the ballot questions. I was actively involved leading up to Election Day, and was a precinct captain in Ward 4, Precinct 1 on Election Day. Ward 4 typically has a lower turnout than other areas of the city, but our team of volunteers worked to GOTV with as many residents as possible, which resulted in a successful outcome for all of the candidates. It was powerful to be a part of collaborative effort like the campaign last year.

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

1. Bringing the Green Line to Somerville, as well as improving access to other public transportation. Ward 4 has less-than-adequate access to public transportation and I will work closely with the MBTA and other officials to ensure better access.
2. Economic development in our neighborhoods. We need to fill our storefronts with local businesses and other options that benefit the community. Most importantly, we need to bring more jobs to the community. I will work to improve planning and community input into development options for Ward 4.
3. Affordable housing. We need to maintain the affordable housing options we have in this neighborhood. I will work with other officials, owners and developers to keep housing affordable and the community livable for people here.

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

I will continue to support affordable housing projects like the current SCC project at St. Polycarp's. In addition, I will work with leaders and owners to ensure rents in other units remain affordable for lower-income families. In the economic downtown, we need to encourage well-paying jobs so people are able to afford their housing. For middle income families, we need to ensure the city government is working efficiently and tax dollars being used wisely, with transparency and input from community members.

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 heartily support efforts to promote local jobs, especially for people who have recently lost jobs in the economic downturn. I have been active in recent activities to promote local jobs in new developments; it is a way to ensure that residents are able to remain in this city and afford housing and other needs here. I will work to hold developers and businesses to hiring a percentage of people from the community, with a focus on people with low-incomes, if they do business with and in our city.

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

I am likely opposed to this plan, but I would need to hear more about Wal-mart's proposal, which apparently includes bringing a grocery store to an area of the city that currently does not have many options for fresh food available. However, Wal-mart historically has paid its employees poorly with few job benefits, and been found to discriminate again women employees. We also need an assessment of how a Wal-mart would affect local businesses in the city. We need to think carefully about the kind of businesses we want in our city, and whether the jobs provided would be good for residents.

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

A lifelong Democrat, I have supported working families throughout my career and volunteer activities. I am a health care expert who has worked to ensure people have access to quality, affordable health care and that patients have a voice in the health care system in my work in state government and my current job at Community Catalyst. I am in favor of marriage equality, choice in reproductive decisions, and an end to discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and income. I have worked on numerous campaigns to advance these issues. I believe that people need to be part of the political process. Too often, residents are left out of the decisions affecting their community. I believe we need an open and accessible government to ensure people are part of decision-making.

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

I have worked as a volunteer on campaigns for Sen. Jehlen, Rep. Sciortino, Gov. Patrick, Alderman Gewirtz, and School Committee Member Christine Rafal.

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

I am adamant about bringing the Green Line to Somerville as soon as possible. The recent setbacks in the schedule of the Green Line are unacceptable. As Alderman, I will actively work to bring the Green Line to Somerville by partnering with the MBTA and other state officials to push for a concrete timeline and plans. I have been involved in a number of community meetings to design the local Gilman Square station at the edge of the Ward. It is critical that when the Green Line is built, it is accessible and safe and fits the needs of the community.

9. What else should we know about your candidacy?

A major reason that I am running for Alderman is to improve the responsiveness to residents and promote a transparent and accessible city government. I have been frustrated by lack of information about things happening in Ward 4, and I want to make sure that community members are part of the conversation in our city issues. I am spending my campaign talking with residents about their concerns, to gain a better idea of how to represent this community.