Katjana Ballantyne, 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 have been a board member and past board President of the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC). I’ve worked with SCC on initiatives to create affordable housing options and small business space, to provide financial literacy training, and to proactively mitigate against the potentially harmful effects of new development and transportation improvements. I am running for Ward 7 Alderman upon a campaign platform of open, inclusive government, affordability and local jobs.

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

My three top agenda priorities are; open, inclusive government, affordability and local jobs. As Alderman I’ll work to make our city government open and inclusive, because I believe that our government works best when we all work together. Our city's greatest resource is its residents; we are an active group with many, various talents, backgrounds and perspectives. I will work to give residents the information that they need to become involved early, and to stay involved regularly to help us all work together on the important issues in our Ward. I will continue to work to make Somerville affordable for all of us; including, working people, families with children, long-time residents and the elderly. I'll work for affordability by working to increase the number of available, affordable housing options, and by working to connect residents to local jobs.

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

I'll work to diversify Somerville’s tax base and city revenue sources, by encouraging appropriate, mixed-use/commercial development in existing commercial areas. I'll support economic justice by fighting for transportation improvements, and I'll actively seek-out complimentary businesses that make a positive contribution to Somerville's economy in living-wage jobs and commercial taxes. I’ll advocate for working families, by supporting efforts to connect local residents to local jobs, training and support. I will also support efforts to create new affordable housing options for local residents.

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 an ordinance to require diligence on the part of city contractors, to hire Somerville residents, especially when projects are funded by the city, with city taxes. I would work to propose and/or support an ordinance that is based-upon "best municipal practices" and upon the similar ordinances that are currently in-place in our neighbor cities such as, Cambridge and Boston.

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

No, because I don't believe that Wal-mart will make a positive, net contribution to our local economy. Wal-mart's business model does not compliment the existing mix of businesses in the area where they propose to locate, and most importantly, Wal-mart jobs will not be living-wage jobs for Somerville residents.

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

I am the progressive choice in the race for Ward 7 Alderman because I have worked directly to help people improve their skills to earn higher wages, I’ve worked to increase affordable housing options, and to create living-wage jobs in the new Green Economy.

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

I have supported Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, United States Congressman Michael Capuano, Massachusetts State Senator Patricia Jehlen, Massachusetts State Representative Denise Provost and Massachusetts State Representative Carl Sciortino.

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

I support the green line extension through Somerville in total, including the spur to serve Union Square and also the Boston Avenue/Route 16 station, which would serve Ward 7 most directly. I believe that we need to work to mitigate potential negative impacts of the new stations on affordability and environmental quality.

9. What else should we know about your candidacy?

As Alderman I will advocate for the environment. I believe that progress in affordability, economic development, and environmental protection can be complimentary. I will work to make Ward 7 more bicycle-friendly, to discourage the use of plastic bags and plastic water bottles, encourage more local stewardship of the DCR green-spaces of Dilboy Park, and to reduce the pollution of the Alewife Brook.