June 4, 2008

Somerville - This week, the Progressive Democrats of Somerville officially launched their endorsement process for the upcoming round of state elections. Invitations were emailed to candidates in local contested races: Rep. Carl Sciortino and Ald. Bob Trane in the 34th Middlesex (Somerville/Medford) House race and Patrick McCabe, Jim Caralis, and Rep. Paul Donato in the 35th Middlesex (Medford/Malden) House race. Candidates who indicate their interest in being considered for endorsement by 5:00pm, Sunday, June 8th will be asked to answer a series of questions about their qualifications and positions which will be posted on our website, and which will help members decide their vote on the endorsement question at our June 24th general meeting. PDS looks forward to hearing from these candidates as it moves forward with this important process.

For more information: Marty Martinez, Chairperson of PDS, 617-256-5641

Please come on out for our monthly Progressive Dems of Somerville meeting on Tuesday, May 27th from 7:00 to 9:00 at the VNA at 259 Lowell Street.

We have a full agenda that includes a guest speaker: State Representative Denise Provost. Come and learn about her work on behalf of Somerville up on Beacon Hill.
The Agenda also includes:

• Issues Campaign Update
• Election for vacant seats on the Steering Committee - Affirmative Action Chair, Secretary and Co-Chair seats of Issues, Membership and Endorsement
• Endorsement Committee Update
• Social Event(s) Planning

Coming to monthly meetings is a great way to learn more about the happenings in Somerville, meet other motivated neighbors and get involved in one of the most exciting organizations in the city.

We hope to see you there!

All are welcome to our annual meeting. The agenda will include officer elections.

Please join us at our next general meeting open to the public, as always. Details to be announced.

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville are proud to announce their endorsement decisions for Somerville's School Committee races:

• Adam Sweeting for Ward 3 School Committee, particularly for a degree of engagement and insight impressive in a first-time candidate. [link to questionnaire responses]
• Mark Niedergang for Ward 5 School Committee, particularly for his leadership in long-range planning and his tendency to ask probing questions. [link to questionnaire responses]
• Paul Bockelman for Ward 6 School Committee, particularly for the steps he has taken in informing and engaging his constituents in Ward 6. [link to questionnaire responses]
• Mary Jo Rossetti for Ward 7 School Committee, particularly for her hard work both at the city and state level towards MCAS reform. [link to questionnaire responses]

PDS is proud to support all four of these candidates and looks forward to working with them toward our mutual goals for the city.

Ward 3 Candidate Responses - Adam Sweeting

Ward 5 Candidate Responses - Mark Niedergang

Ward 6 Candidate Responses - Paul Bockelman

Ward 7 Candidate Responses - Mary Jo Rossetti

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville are proud to announce the following endorsements:

Joe Lynch for Ward 5 Alderman [http://www.lynchforalderman.com]

Joe Lynch has worked behind the scenes in community revitalization issues such as the extension of the Community Path, Maxpac, and the Green Line extension. His support for broadcasting meetings of planning and zoning board meetings will create greater transparency in government. Joe Lynch is the kind of problem solver and independent thinker we need on the Board of Alderman.

Rachel Heller for Ward 7 Alderman [http://www.rachelheller.com]

Rachel Heller as the Policy Director for the Senate Housing Committee brings expertise and commitment to affordable housing to Somerville. She is not only a strong supporter of greater transparency in government but has worked to increase the involvement of homeless and formerly homeless parents in the state budget process. Rachel Heller skills as an organizer and consensus builder would be a great benefit to the Board of Alderman.

The Progressive Democrats of Somerville are proud to announce the following endorsements:

Fred Berman for Alderman-at-Large [www.fredatlarge.net]

Fred Berman has been a tireless organizer and participant in community groups working to make Somerville a better place for all of its inhabitants to live. Among his notable accomplishments are helping negotiate the Assembly Square settlement and helping bring the Green Line to Somerville.

Bill White for Alderman-at-Large [www.aldermanwhite.org]

Bill White continues to serve constituents across the city with his sharp attention to detail and incisive knowledge of issues concerning Somerville. He has been a great positive force in matters of planning and development, working to ensure that the community has had a voice at Assembly Square, Union Square, the Maxpak site, and many others.

Rebekah Gewirtz for Ward 6 Alderman [www.rebekahgewirtz.org]

Rebekah Gewirtz is a long-time advocate of transparent, open, and accountable local government, and has delivered on those values during her time as Ward 6 Alderman, particularly through her regular newsletters and promotion of the Davis Square Task Force and David Area Resident Business Initiative. A major focus of her work in office has been affordable housing, a major issue both now and in the future as Somerville continues to develop.

PDS has decided not to endorse in the Mayoral race: may the best candidate win.

We invited all of the candidates for Mayor, Alderman at Large, and Ward 6 Alderman to fill out a questionnaire covering a number of the issues important to PDS members, and we received the following responses. We will be voting on these endorsements at our upcoming meeting, so please join us! Questionnaires for the other offices will be posted soon as well.

Mayor

• Suzanne Bremer
• Joe Curtatone
• Richard J. Scirocco

Alderman at Large

• Fred Berman endorsed
• Jack Connolly
• Tony Lafuente
• Dennis Sullivan
• Bill White endorsed

Ward 5 Alderman

• Joe Lynch endorsed
• Sean O'Donovan

Ward 6 Alderman

• Rebekah Gewirtz endorsed

Ward 7 Alderman

• Rachel Heller endorsed
• Bob Trane (did not respond)

View the UPDATED spreadsheet (online) - download the MS Excel version

Although this information is current up to 05/31/2007, there are still many expired and vacant seats available to interested residents wishing to serve the community and increase civic participation. This spreadsheet lists all 37 boards, commissions, and authorities in Somerville with many relevant details about each one.

For questions about the spreadsheet, about the roles & responsibilities of commissions, or about becoming a commissioner, email the chair of PDS at xyz@pdsomerville.org by replacing "xyz" with "chair".