Cambridge InsideOut - July 11, 2017

Robert and Judy

Usual Topics:

1) Civic Updates and Opportunities

2) 2017 Candidates     Cambridge Candidate Pages

Shapes of the campaign season to come

3) PR Office Hours

4) Some History of Proportional Representation

5) Do the number of vacancies affect the chance that an incumbent is ousted?

6) Regulation of Short-Term Rentals Pending

7) Harvard Square Updates

8) Central Square Updates

9) June 26 City Council meeting

10) Civic Calendar


Continuing Question: How will the turmoil in national politics trickle down to the local level and, in particular, how might it influence the Cambridge municipal election?

Speculation: After over a century of non-partisan Cambridge elections (a major tenet of "The Cambridge Idea" dating back to the late 1800s), there are indications that "Our Revolution", the Bernie Sanders-driven national entity and effectively an emergent political party separate from the Democratic Party, may back candidates in the 2017 Cambridge municipal election.


Taste of Cambridge Happening July 11

Right now...

Members Sought for Historic and Neighborhood Conservation District Commissions

July 5, 2017 – Cambridge City Manager Louis DePasquale is seeking to fill vacancies for members and alternate members on the Cambridge Historical Commission, Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) Commission, Half Crown-Marsh NCD Commission and Mid Cambridge NCD Commission.

City SealThe Cambridge Historical Commission, a body of seven members and three alternates, establishes historic preservation policy for the city and administers two historic districts, the Harvard Square Conservation District, the citywide landmark and demolition ordinances, and the preservation grant program for rehabilitation assistance.

Neighborhood Conservation Districts were established by City ordinance beginning in 1983. NCD designation recognizes the particular design qualities of distinctive neighborhoods and encourages their protection and maintenance for the benefit of the entire city. The three NCD commissions in Cambridge each include five members and three alternates. Most members must be residents of the neighborhoods. More information and maps of the Avon Hill, Half Crown-Marsh, and Mid Cambridge NCDs are available at cambridgema.gov/historic/districtsHistoricProperties/districtsmap.

Each of the four volunteer commissions meets monthly. All are supported by the professional staff of the Historical Commission. Applicants should have an interest in architecture, local history or neighborhood preservation and be committed to protecting the historic resources and built environment of the City. Appointments to the Commission are made by the City Manager with regard to a diversity of viewpoints. Minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

Individuals interested in being considered should apply by using the city’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting the relevant commission(s). A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, August 14, 2017.


City Manager Seeks Members for Vacancies on the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (CIRC)

July 5, 2017 – Cambridge City Manager Louis DePasquale is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (CIRC).

City SealThe Commission consists of 11 volunteer members, who are appointed by the City Manager, following an application and interview process. The term of the appointment is three years. Commissioners are expected to be knowledgeable about immigrant rights and citizenship and must be residents of Cambridge. It is desirable for this Commission to be fully representative of the diverse Cambridge community.

Cambridge welcomes immigrants and wants to encourage their success and access to opportunity and advancement in this country. It will be a goal of this Commission to get the message of welcome out, through collaboration with organizations that already provide services and outreach to our immigrant community.

The Commission will act as a centralizing organization in Cambridge, to address immigrant rights and citizenship issues through providing information, referral, guidance, coordination and technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to support immigrant rights and citizenship.

Commissioners are expected to work with other members of the Commission and staff to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship Ordinance (CMC Chapter 2.123).

Individuals interested in being considered should apply by using the city’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, August 14, 2017.


Political Updates

Candidates who have pulled nomination papers (as of July 11, 1:30pm)
Candidates Office Address Birthdate Occupation Signatures Certified* Notes
E. Denise Simmons CC 188 Harvard St. #4B, 02139 10/2/1951 Mayor 50(July 6) 50 July 3
Dan Lenke CC 148 Richdale Ave., 02140 3/31/1947 -     July 3
Sam Gebru CC 812 Memorial Dr., 02139 11/20/1991 Self-Employed 50(July 3),33(July 3) 45+28=73 July 3
Gwen Volmar CC 13 Ware St. #4, 02138 9/25/1985 University Admin. 70(July 6) 59 July 3
Ronald Benjamin CC 172 Cushing St., 02138 1/5/1971 - 80(July 7) 66 July 3
Jeff Santos CC 350 3rd St. #809, 02142 5/28/1963 Radio Host 83(July5) 79 July 3
Paul Toner CC 24 Newman St., 02140 4/28/1966 Teacher, Lawyer 50(July 6),37(July 7) 49+35=84 July 3
Vatsady Sivongxay CC 59 Kirkland St. #2, 02138 2/20/1982 - 50(July 10),7(July 10) 49+7=56 July 3
Marc McGovern CC 15 Pleasant St., 02139 12/21/1968 Social Worker 99(July 10) 83 July 3
Craig Kelley CC 6 Saint Gerard Terr. #2, 02140 9/18/1962 Politician 86(July 10) 73 July 3
Sumbul Siddiqui CC 530 Windsor Street, 02141 2/10/1988 Attorney 96(July 10) 78 July 3
Sean Tierney CC 12 Prince St., 02139 3/10/1985 Lawyer 49(July 6),28(July 10) 45+25=70 July 3
Nadya Okamoto CC 220 Banks St. #5, 02138 2/11/1998 Student 100(July 10) 86 July 3
Quinton Zondervan CC 235 Cardinal Madeiros Ave., 02141 9/15/1970 Entrepreneur     July 3
Michelle Lessly CC 410 Memorial Dr., 02139 5/12/1983 -     July 3
Jan Devereux CC 255 Lakeview Ave., 02138 5/13/1959 City Councillor 50(July 7),19(July 11) 46+18=64 July 3
Richard Harding CC 189 Windsor St. #1, 02139 10/16/1972 Administration     July 3
Alanna Mallon CC 3 Maple Ave., 02139 12/6/1970 Nonprofit Admin. 99(July 10) 93 July 5
Josh Burgin CC 812 Memorial Drive, 02139 2/7/1976 -     July 5
Dennis Carlone CC 9 Washington St. #6, 02140 5/7/1947 Architect     July 5
Adriane Musgrave CC 5 Newport Rd. #1, 02140 10/14/1985 -     July 5
Timothy J. Toomey CC 88 6th St., 02141 6/7/1953 City Councillor     July 5
Bryan Sutton CC 764 Cambridge St. #6, 02141 5/19/1982 Management     July 5
Gregg Moree CC 25 Fairfield St. #4, 02140 6/16/1957 perennial candidate     July 6
Leland Cheung CC 157 Garden St., 02138 2/11/1978 City Councillor     July 10
Olivia D'Ambrosio CC 270 3rd Street #305, 02142 9/13/1983 -     July 10
David J. Stern CC 50 Follen St. #516, 02138 5/10/1952 -     July 11
Jake Crutchfield SC 281 River St. #1, 01239 3/31/1987 Teacher 50(July 3),38(July 6) 35+34=69 July 3
Will MacArthur SC 18 Shea Rd., 02140 5/24/1998 Student 50(July 5) 40 July 3
Fred Fantini SC 4 Canal Park #203, 02141 6/8/1949 Retired 47(July 6),42(July 10),11(July 11) 47+41+_=88 July 3
Richard Harding SC 189 Windsor St. #1, 02139 10/16/1972 Administration     July 3
Mannika Bowman SC 134 Reed St., 02140 11/27/1979 - 100(July 10) 92 July 5
Fran Albin Cronin SC 1 Kimball Ln., 02140 2/14/1952 Aide     July 5
Patty Nolan SC 184 Huron Ave., 02138 8/28/1957 School Committee     July 5
Laurance Kimbrough SC 24 Aberdeen Ave., 02138 7/3/1979 Educator     July 6
Kathleen Kelly SC 17 Marie Ave. #1, 02139 3/8/1960 Social Worker     July 10

Signatures are unofficially certified by Election Commission staff pending approval by Election Commission.

July 11 - We have a new City Council candidate: David J. Stern. That makes 27 for Council and 9 for School Committee. We're still waiting to hear from Ilan Levy for City Council and Emily Dexter for School Committee.We're now up to 14 candidates for City Council and 3 candidates for School Committee who have met the minimum number of required signatures (shown in bold in the table).

July 10 - Emily Dexter is having a Campaign Kick-Off party on Wednesday, July 26, 6-8pm at Asgard's Pub, 350 Mass Ave.

July 10 - Leland Cheung and Olivia D'Ambrosio pulled papers for City Council and Kathleen Kelly pulled papers for School Committee. Many candidates turned in signatures today.

July 7 - Fran Cronin's campaign issued a press release regarding "More Early Childhood Education in Cambridge".

July 6 - Perennial candidate Gregg Moree has pulled papers for City Council.

July 5 - Five more candidates pulled nomination papers for City Council (including Tim Toomey) for a total of 23 (including Richard Harding who pulled papers for both races). Three more candidates pulled papers for School Committee for a total of 7 so far.

July 3 - School Committee candidate Will MacArthur hosted a "Picnic & Politics" event at Danehy Park. In attendance were School Committee candidates Will MacArthur, Laurance Kimbrough and Emily Dexter as well as City Council candidates Craig A. Kelley, Alanna Mallon, Marc McGovern, Jeffrey Santos, Sumbul Siddiqui, Sean Tierney, and Quinton Zondervan. That's 10 candidates in all - pretty impressive!

Monday, July 3 - Municipal Election Nomination Papers available at Election Commission office from 8:30am to 8:00pm. Nomination papers will be available through the July 31 submission deadline during regular Election Commission hours. A minimum of 50 valid signatures must be filed and a candidate may submit up to 100 signatures. Once a voter's signature has been recorded for a particular candidate, it cannot be used for another candidate in the same race. That is, a voter should sign for exactly one candidate for City Council and one candidate for School Committee.

July 3 - Richard Harding has pulled papers for both City Council and School Committee. This is not the first time he's done that. He also pulled papers for both races in 2009 but only gathered signatures for School Committee.

July 3 - We have two new City Council candidates - Dan Lenke and Michelle Lessly.

July 3 - We have a new candidate for School Committee: Jake Crutchfield (who also ran in 2015)
A press release is included on Jake's Candidate Page.

July 1 - Paul Toner has picked up several union endorsements.

June 30 - And then there were 23. Bryan Sutton has filed papers with the Commonwealth to be a City Council candidate.

June 29 - Josh Burgin has filed papers with the Commonwealth to be a City Council candidate.

June 26 - Ilan Levy will apparently again be a City Council candidate.

June 22 - Fran Cronin will be hosting an issue forum on Tues, June 27 starting at 6:00pm at Atwood's Tavern (877 Cambridge St.).

June 21 - Marc McGovern has posted a re-election announcement.

June 21 - Denise Simmons has formally announced her reelection campaign and the date of her Campaign Kickoff (July 13).

June 21 - Paul Toner has hired Hannagh Jacobsen as Campaign Manager and has received the endorsement of Mass Retirees.

June 20 - Adriane Musgrave will have her campaign kickoff on Sat, June 24 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Christopher's in Porter Square.

June 18 - No new candidates to report, but at what point does calling oneself a "progressive" in an election where all candidates are "progressive" render the term completely meaningless?

June 10 - We have a new City Council candidate: Gwen Volmar

June 9 - We have a new School Committee candidate: Laurance Kimbrough

June 7 - We have a new City Council candidate: Jeffrey Santos

The following City Council candidates have either had or scheduled a campaign kickoff event or announced their candidacy (20):
Ron Benjamin, Dennis Carlone, Olivia D'Ambrosio, Jan Devereux, Sam Gebru, Craig A. Kelley, Ilan Levy, Alanna Mallon, Marc McGovern, Gregg Moree, Adriane Musgrave, Nadya Okamoto, Jeffrey Santos, Sumbul Siddiqui, Denise Simmons, Vatsady Sivongxay, Sean Tierney, Paul Toner, Gwen Volmar, and Quinton Zondervan.

The following individuals have not yet formally announced their candidacy but are expected to be City Council candidates (4): Josh Burgin, Dan Lenke, Michelle Lessly, Bryan Sutton

The following individuals have not yet announced their City Council candidacy and it's not yet clear if they will (4):
Dennis Benzan, Leland Cheung (has pulled papers), Richard Harding, Jr. (pulled papers for both CC and SC), Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. (has pulled papers)

The following School Committee candidates have either had or scheduled a campaign kickoff event or formally announced their candidacy (9):
Manikka Bowman, Fran Cronin, Jake Crutchfield, Emily Dexter, Alfred B. Fantini, Kathleen Kelly, Laurance Kimbrough, Will MacArthur, Patricia M. Nolan

The following individuals have not yet formally announced their candidacy but are expected to be School Committee candidates (1):
Richard Harding, Jr.

2017 Cambridge Candidate Pages

2017 Campaign Event Listings and Candidate Forums
[Note: Only events open to the general public (with or without RSVP) will be listed.]

Campaign Finance Reports - 2017 City Council


Looking Ahead (revised July 11)

Probable City Council and School Committee candidates for 2017 (with age at time of election)

City Council Candidate Birthdate Age address Notes
Timothy J. Toomey 6/7/1953 64 88 6th St., 02141 incumbent, first elected in 1989, pulled papers July 5
E. Denise Simmons 10/2/1951 66 188 Harvard St. #4B, 02139 incumbent, first elected in 2001
Craig Kelley 9/18/1962 55 6 Saint Gerard Terr. #2, 02140 incumbent, first elected in 2005
Leland Cheung 2/11/1978 39 157 Garden St., 02138 incumbent, first elected in 2009
Dennis Carlone 5/7/1947 70 9 Washington St. #6, 02140 incumbent, first elected in 2013
Marc McGovern 12/21/1968 48 15 Pleasant St., 02139 incumbent, first elected in 2013
Jan Devereux 5/13/1959 58 255 Lakeview Ave., 02138 incumbent, first elected in 2015
Dan Lenke 3/31/1947 70 148 Richdale Ave., 02140 pulled papers July 3
David J. Stern (new) 5/10/1952 65 50 Follen St. #516, 02138 pulled papers July 11
Gregg Moree 6/16/1957 60 25 Fairfield St. #4, 02140 perennial candidate, pulled papers July 6
Jeffrey Santos 5/28/1963 54 350 3rd St. #809, 02142 announced, registered with OCPF
Paul Toner 4/28/1966 51 24 Newman St., 02140 announced, registered with OCPF
Ilan Levy 11/1/1967 50 148 Spring St. 02141 apparently running based on email
Quinton Zondervan 9/15/1970 47 235 Cardinal Madeiros Ave., 02141 announced, registered with OCPF
Alanna Mallon 12/6/1970 46 3 Maple Ave., 02139 announced, registered with OCPF
Ronald Benjamin 1/5/1971 46 172 Cushing St., 02138 announced, registered with OCPF
Richard Harding 10/16/1972 45 189 Windsor St. #1, 02139 pulled papers for both CC and SC
Josh Burgin 2/7/1976 41 812 Memorial Dr. #1411, 02139 definitely running, registered with OCPF
Vatsady Sivongxay 2/20/1982 35 59 Kirkland St. #2, 02138 announced, registered with OCPF
Bryan Sutton 5/19/1982 35 764 Cambridge St. #6, 02141 registered with OCPF
Michelle Lessly 5/12/1983 34 410 Memorial Dr. #123, 02139 pulled papers July 3
Olivia D'Ambrosio 9/13/1983 34 270 3rd Street #305, 02142 announced, registered with OCPF
Sean Tierney 3/10/1985 32 12 Prince St. #6, 02139 announced, registered with OCPF
Gwen Volmar 9/25/1985 32 13 Ware St. #4, 02138 definitely running, registered with OCPF
Adriane Musgrave 10/14/1985 32 5 Newport Rd. #1, 02140 definitely running, registered with OCPF
Sumbul Siddiqui 2/10/1988 29 530 Windsor Street, 02141 announced, registered with OCPF
Sam Gebru 11/20/1991 25 812 Memorial Dr. #614A, 02139 announced, registered with OCPF
Nadya Okamoto 2/11/1998 19 220 Banks St. #5, 02138 announced, registered with OCPF
Dennis Benzan 1/25/1972 45 1 Pine St., 02139 served 2014-15, may seek reelection
Nadeem Mazen 9/20/1983 34 720 Mass. Ave. #4, 02139 has informed colleagues he'll not seek reelection
James Williamson 1/13/1951 66 1000 Jackson Pl., 02140 perennial candidate
Gary Mello 5/24/1953 64 324 Franklin St. #2, 02139 ran several times
Nathan Taylor Thompson 10/12/1985 32 31 Tremont Street $#3, 02139 probably not running, registered with OCPF
Andrew King 4/17/1986 31 40 Essex St., 02139 conflicting reports on whether or not a candidate
Romaine Waite 6/7/1991 26 60 Lawn St. #5, 02138 not announced, but may try again
School Committee Candidate Birthdate Age address Notes
Fred Fantini 6/8/1949 68 4 Canal Park #203, 02141 incumbent, first elected in 1981
Richard Harding 10/16/1972 45 189 Windsor St. #1, 02139 incumbent, first elected in 2001,
pulled papers for both CC and SC
Patty Nolan 8/28/1957 60 184 Huron Ave., 02138 incumbent, first elected in 2005
Kathleen Kelly 3/8/1960 57 17 Marie Ave. #1, 02139 incumbent, first elected in 2013
Emily Dexter 3/16/1957 60 9 Fenno St., 02138 incumbent, first elected in 2015
Mannika Bowman 11/27/1979 37 134 Reed St., 02140 incumbent, first elected in 2015
Fran Albin Cronin 2/14/1952 65 1 Kimball Ln., 02140 planning to seek reelection
Laurance Kimbrough 7/3/1979 38 24 Aberdeen Ave., 02138 definitely running for School Committee
Will MacArthur 5/24/1998 19 18 Shea Rd., 02140 definitely running for School Committee
Jake Crutchfield 3/31/1987 30 281 River St. #1, 01239 speculation that he may run again
Elechi Kadete 9/30/1989 28 10 Laurel St., 02139 will likely not run again this year
David J. Weinstein 12/10/1972 44 45 S. Normandy Ave., 02138 ran in 2015, possibility for 2017

2017 Cambridge Candidate Pages

There are others who are likely to be candidates but who have not yet chosen to be identified as such. Please let me know of other candidates. Not all of the individuals listed above may wish to be identified as candidates, and I will be more than happy to remove those names (unless I am absolutely certain they will be running!). Anyone who has filed papers with OCPF (Office of Campaign & Political Finance) is assumed to be running for City Council. - RW

Campaign Finance Summaries - City Council 2017 (updated July 6, 1:15pm)
Candidate From To Start Receipts Expend Balance As Of
Benjamin, Ronald 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 9.00 680.92 682.36 7.56 3-Jul-17
Burgin, Josh 16-Jun-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 500.00 0.00 500.00 3-Jul-17
Carlone, Dennis 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 17827.87 14776.22 737.56 31866.53 3-Jul-17
Cheung, Leland 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 90880.32 0.00 8830.50 82049.82 5-Jul-17
D'Ambrosio, Olivia 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 122.75 5250.31 3426.02 1947.04 3-Jul-17
Devereux, Jan 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 8715.10 19353.05 7826.07 20242.08 5-Jul-17
Gebru, Sam 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 27398.50 26451.96 946.54 3-Jul-17
Kelley, Craig 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 2231.84 461.04 534.00 2158.88 3-Jul-17
Lenke, Dan 3-Jul-17 3-Jul-17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3-Jul-17
Lessly, Michelle 3-Jul-17 3-Jul-17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3-Jul-17
Levy, Ilan 26-Jun-17 26-Jun-17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 26-Jun-17
Mallon, Alanna 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 100.00 29293.00 11604.43 17788.57 3-Jul-17
McGovern, Marc 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 14966.66 21818.84 12640.56 24144.94 5-Jul-17
Moree, Gregg 6-Jul-17 6-Jul-17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6-Jul-17
Musgrave, Adriane 16-May-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 6298.64 2907.59 3391.05 3-Jul-17
Okamoto, Nadya 16-Mar-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 4605.43 697.55 3907.88 3-Jul-17
Santos, Jeffrey 7-Jun-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 260.00 44.72 215.28 3-Jul-17
Siddiqui, Sumbul 16-Feb-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 25569.60 6167.04 19402.56 5-Jul-17
Simmons, Denise 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 10179.79 7592.33 7920.97 9851.15 3-Jul-17
Sivongxay, Vatsady 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 21962.16 11109.31 10852.85 5-Jul-17
Stern, David J. 11-Jul-17 11-Jul-17 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11-Jul-17
Sutton, Bryan 16-Jun-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 100.00 0.00 100.00 5-Jul-17
Tierney, Sean 1-Feb-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 13589.60 5365.17 8224.43 3-Jul-17
Toner, Paul 16-Feb-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 31969.25 13692.25 18277.00 3-Jul-17
Toomey, Tim 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 4069.67 28180.89 8124.26 24126.30 5-Jul-17
Volmar, Gwen 9-Jun-17 30-Jun-17 0.00 2763.26 27.13 2736.13 5-Jul-17
Zondervan, Quinton 1-Jan-17 30-Jun-17 3510.00 19331.35 17243.72 5597.63 5-Jul-17

Campaign Finance Reports - 2017 City Council (updated July 5)


Campaign Contributions (2017) - Total Receipts and Cambridge Receipts
(updated July 11, 10:30am)
Candidate ID Total Receipts Cambridge Receipts Percent Cambridge
Kelley, Craig 14104 $480.00 $480.00 100%
Burgin, Josh 16709 $954.52 $954.52 100%
Sutton, Bryan 16713 $100.00 $100.00 100%
D'Ambrosio, Olivia 16520 $5,250.00 $5,000.00 95%
Carlone, Dennis 15680 $2,572.34 $2,350.00 91%
Devereux, Jan 16062 $21,933.50 $19,978.50 91%
Santos, Jeffrey 16686 $1,401.61 $1,116.61 80%
McGovern, Marc 15589 $24,511.67 $19,391.49 79%
Musgrave, Adriane 16657 $6,298.64 $4,000.00 64%
Mallon, Alanna 16530 $29,393.00 $16,888.00 57%
Zondervan, Quinton 16516 $15,916.37 $8,261.65 52%
Toner, Paul 16576 $33,335.11 $17,150.00 51%
Toomey, Tim 12222 $28,180.89 $13,305.64 47%
Siddiqui, Sumbul 16556 $26,214.60 $11,845.00 45%
Tierney, Sean 16559 $14,819.60 $6,575.00 44%
Simmons, Denise 13783 $8,063.30 $3,200.00 40%
Benjamin, Ronald 16493 $470.95 $170.00 36%
Volmar, Gwen 16691 $5,789.60 $1,704.00 29%
Sivongxay, Vatsady 16528 $21,972.16 $4,975.00 23%
Gebru, Sam 16531 $27,876.00 $5,963.00 21%
Okamoto, Nadya 16596 $5,436.74 $510.00 9%
Cheung, Leland 14923 $0.00 $0.00 -
Levy, Ilan 16173 $0.00 $0.00 -
Lenke, Dan -- $0.00 $0.00 -
Lessley, Michelle -- $0.00 $0.00 -
Moree, Gregg 14683 $0.00 $0.00 -
Stern, David J. -- $0.00 $0.00 -

Questions, questions, questions..... (updated July 4, 2017 - revised from original posted in July 2013)

Question #1: What, if any, relationship is there between the number of City Council vacancies and the number of new candidates elected? As of July 4, there will be two City Council vacancies (two incumbents who are not seeking reelection) in the election this November, and people are asking what this might foretell. The basic answer is that there are too many other factors in play. There have been elections with no vacancies and 4 challengers elected, and there have been elections where the existence of vacancies has had no effect on the incumbents. It is, however, more common than not that the number of newly elected candidates exceeds the number of vacancies. See the table below.

Question #2: How does the candidate who gets the most #1 votes fare in the next election? Generally, if you're the "top dog" in one election, you will almost certainly do well in the next election, though there are two notable exceptions for City Council and several for School Committee. A "top dog" has never been defeated in the next election. See the table below for how well the previous "top dog" fared in the next election.

Cambridge City Council Elections
Year Vacancies Newly elected Most #1 votes in prev. election Rank in #1 votes in election
1943 1 3 Francis Sennott 4th
1945 3 5 John H. Corcoran died in office
1947 0 2 John D. Lynch 1st
1949 2 3 John D. Lynch 4th
1951 0 1 Edward A. Crane 1st
1953 0 2 Edward A. Crane 3rd
1955 1 2 Edward Sullivan 1st
1957 1 1 Edward Sullivan 1st
1959 1 2 Edward Sullivan did not run
1961 0 3 Walter Sullivan 1st
1963 2 2 Walter Sullivan 1st
1965 0 1 Walter Sullivan 1st
1967 0 2 Walter Sullivan 1st
1969 2 3 Walter Sullivan 1st
1971 2 3 Walter Sullivan 1st
1973 1 2 Walter Sullivan 1st
1975 0 1 Walter Sullivan 1st
1977 0 4 Walter Sullivan 1st
1979 0 2 Walter Sullivan 1st
1981 1 1 Walter Sullivan 1st
1983 0 1 Walter Sullivan 1st
1985 0 2 Walter Sullivan 1st
1987 0 0 Walter Sullivan 2nd
1989 3 4 David Sullivan did not run
1991 0 0 Alice Wolf 1st
1993 2 3 Alice Wolf did not run
1995 1 1 Kenneth Reeves 1st
1997 0 0 Kenneth Reeves 8th
1999 2 3 Anthony Galluccio 1st
2001 2 2 Anthony Galluccio 1st
2003 0 0 Anthony Galluccio 1st
2005 0 1 Anthony Galluccio 1st
2007 1 1 Anthony Galluccio did not run
2009 0 1 Henrietta Davis 1st
2011 0 1 Henrietta Davis 4th
2013 2 4 Leland Cheung 1st
2015 0 1 Leland Cheung 8th
2017 2 ?? Nadeem Mazen did not run

In 27 of 37 City Council elections, the number of challengers elected exceeded the number of vacancies.
In 8 elections in which there were 2 vacancies, an incumbent was defeated in 6 of these elections.

Cambridge School Committee Elections
Year Vacancies Newly elected Most #1 votes in previous election Rank in #1 votes in election
1943 2 3 James Cassidy did not run
1945 2 2 Cora B. Conant 1st
1947 2 3 Cora B. Conant did not run
1949 2 3 Bradley Dewey did not run
1951 2 2 James Cassidy did not run
1953 3 3 Pearl K. Wise 1st
1955 4 5 Pearl K. Wise did not run
1957 1 2 Judson Shaplin 1st
1959 2 2 Judson Shaplin did not run
1961 3 3 William Barnes did not run
1963 1 2 James Fitzgerald 1st
1965 0 0 James Fitzgerald 1st
1967 2 2 James Fitzgerald 4th
1969 2 3 Francis Duehay 3rd
1971 1 2 James Fitzgerald 3rd
1973 2 2 David Wylie did not run
1975 0 2 James Fitzgerald 5th
1977 0 1 Alice Wolf 1st
1979 0 1 Alice Wolf 1st
1981 2 2 Alice Wolf did not run
1983 1 2 Sara Mae Berman did not run
1985 2 2 Francis Cooper 1st
1987 2 2 Francis Cooper 2nd
1989 1 1 Tim Toomey did not run
1991 2 2 Frances Cooper did not run
1993 2 2 Henrietta Davis 1st
1995 1 2 Henrietta Davis did not run
1997 0 1 Alice Turkel 1st
1999 2 2 Alice Turkel 1st
2001 1 2 Alice Turkel 2nd
2003 1 2 Alfred Fantini 2nd
2005 0 2 Nancy Walser 3rd
2007 1 2 Patty Nolan 4th
2009 1 2 Marc McGovern 4th
2011 0 1 Alfred Fantini 1st
2013 2 2 Alfred Fantini 2nd
2015 1 2 Patty Nolan 1st
2017 0 ?? Patty Nolan ??

In 21 of 37 School Committee elections, the number of challengers elected exceeded the number of vacancies.
In 11 elections in which there was 1 vacancy, an incumbent was defeated in 10 of these elections.
In 16 elections in which there were 2 vacancies, an incumbent was defeated in only 4 of these elections.


Here Comes Summer - Featured Attractions for the June 26, 2017 Cambridge City Council meeting

On Vacation - See you in AugustThe City Council goes on Summer Vacation after this meeting except for what will likely be a fun-filled Midsummer Meeting on August 7. Here are a few items that drew my attention this week:

Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 17-31, regarding a report on the status of the Community Garden program.

This is useful information. However, any property owner can make space available for gardeners - residential property owners, institutional owners, and others. Even the narrowest strips of land can be gardened. Some of the best community gardens in Cambridge have been on private property.


Manager's Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 17-6, regarding an analysis and evaluation of "pop up" bicycle lanes.

Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City departments to accelerate the planning and installation of two or more protected bike lanes by September, to produce a plan by October 2017 for the roll-out of protected bike lanes on all major city thoroughfares, to ensure that the Bike Plan recommendations are fully implemented on all road projects, and that additional infrastructure changes to provide for safety are implemented when possible.   Councillor Devereux, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Cheung, Vice Mayor McGovern

First, don't count on there being any actual analysis and evaluation of the "pop up" bicycle lanes. Unless there's a fatality in one of them they'll remain regardless how dysfunctional or unnecessary thay may be. As for this latest Council order on the subject, I'm now finally starting to get a sense of what the word "progressive" really means - pushing through changes with minimal analysis and without consulting those affected under the belief that they will one day agree with you. In other words - the opposite of actual democracy. There is a place for segregated bike paths - primarily along arterial roadways, but there are plenty of reasons why they are not ideal for streets with many cross streets and driveways. They also send the rather clear message that cyclists are not welcome on the road and they should stay on the sidewalk like obedient children.


Manager's Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the Street Performers Ordinance as well as Arts Council staffing and programming.

Not much to say here - just interesting information.

Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Numbers 17-46, 17-47, 17-48 and 17-49, short term rentals.

The regulation of short term rentals has become the central legislative theme for this year. There will be at least one more Ordinance Committee meeting to refine things, and ordination is expected at the Midsummer meeting (August 7).

Manager's Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an amendment to the City’s previous submission of a Home Rule Petition to the Legislature whereby I requested authorization to include in the planned reconstruction (the “Project”) of the King Open / Cambridge Street Upper School and Community Complex (“KOCSUS”) the area that is presently occupied by the public swimming pool known as the Gold Star Pool (the “Pool Site”) and to construct subsurface geothermal wells in a portion of Donnelly Field that lies directly along and adjacent to the current southerly boundary of the KOCSUS site.

Again, not much to say here - just interesting information.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Affordable Housing Trust with the view in mind of immediately contacting the Episcopal Divinity School to begin negotiations for the purchase of 8-acre Episcopal Divinity School site for construction of critically needed affordable housing units including single occupancy spaces and middle income housing, particularly housing for eligible Cambridge residents, families, starter apartments for young adults, veterans, homeless and seniors who have been displaced. [Charter Right exercised by Vice Mayor McGovern on June 19, 2017.]

It's very unlike that any portion of this site will become available for subsidized housing - for a variety of reasons. It is, however, fun to listen to the well-heeled activists come up with creative ways to oppose it while still trying to look like high-minded progressives. For this, thank you Councillor Toomey for filing the Order.

Unfinished Business #10. An amendment to the Municipal Code Ordinance that Title 8 entitled “Health and Safety” be amended by adding a new Chapter 8.69 entitled “Running Bamboo Ordinance.” The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after June 26, 2017.

Perhaps this will be ordained at this meeting. My only question is: "What will the Cambridge City Council ban next?"


Applications & Petitions #2. A rezoning petition has been received from MIT/GSA Volpe to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance by adding a new Section 13.90 to Article 13.000 and amend the Zoning Map to add new PUD-7 District.

Committee Report #2. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Dennis J. Carlone and Councillor Leland Cheung, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a public hearing held on June 7, 2017 to have a general discussion to receive an update on the planning that has been going on for the Volpe Project. [appended materials]

This has been a long time coming. If you want to learn more and participate, MIT is hosting a workshop on Thurs, June 29 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm in the Kendall Marriott hotel. There will be plenty of other opportunities in the future to be heard.


Order #1. City Council support of Massachusetts House of Representatives bill H.3542, legislation to establish a Massachusetts Infrastructure Bank designed to encourage borrowing and facilitate growth for municipalities.   Councillor Carlone, Councillor Mazen, Councillor Devereux

It's an interesting idea, but my sense is that it would make more sense for municipalities facing far greater challenges and with fewer resources than Cambridge. Our AAA bond rating has its advantages.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested work with the Department of Public Works and the Cambridge Arts Council to formally review the use of the Fern Street path as currently designed and consider options to ensure that the path functions as a safe, shared bicycle and pedestrian path and to work with the Department of Public Works to consider whether it is appropriate and feasible for a skateboarding feature to be included at Danehy Park.   Councillor Devereux

The planners delivered a skate park that was never mentioned when they were selling the concept to neighbors as an artsy bike path.

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to confer with Department of Public Works and Cambridge Fire Department (CFD) staff and other relevant City officials to determine if new facilities are needed by either DPW or CFD to best carry out their respective missions in the future and, if so, what type of facilities they would need and how much space that would require and where they might possibly be located.   Councillor Kelley, Councillor Toomey, Vice Mayor McGovern

This is an important matter that has to be explored, but sufficiently large sites are disappearing fast - especially in parts of the city where access to and from the site can be done efficiently.

Committee Report #3. A communication was received from Paula Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Jan Devereux, Chair of the Economic Development and University Relations Committee, for a public hearing held on May 17, 2017 to discuss updates and data collected thus far for the Retail Strategic Plan, and other matters pertaining to the Study. [appended materials]

This continues to be an interesting topic both in the committee and as part of the Envision Cambridge process. That said, the City doesn't control economics or consumer habits, so the best we can do will always be a good guess. - Robert Winters

Comments?


Civic Infrastructure (from Dec 1, 2015)

Civic landscape today dominated by single-issue advocacy and neighborhood groups that often do not represent their neighborhoods. Common pattern is that some dominant characters eventually drive out other participants rendering the group a narrow agenda-driven entity. Some groups (PSNA, Agassiz-Baldwin) generally have a better focus such as (a) children (Agassiz), or (b) cooperation with the local business community (PSNA).

Groups like the Cambridge Residents Alliance are dominated by zoning and, arguably, efforts to slow or stop new development - residential or commercial/office/lab. The Fresh Pond Residents Alliance is of this type (in addition to serving as a launching point for a City Council candidacy).

For the Cambridge Schools there are also advocacy groups (Special Ed and others), but not necessarily a general forum for broader discussion.

June 7, 2009 - Once upon a time there was a civic organization in Cambridge known as the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA). It was formed in 1945 out of several organizations that had been existed through the 1930s and that had lobbied the state legislature to create the Plan E Charter option (1938) which featured a city manager form of government and proportional representation elections for city council and school committee. These reforms were central to model charter reform movements active in the United States from the early 1900s. The central theme of the CCA in its early days was "good government" in the sense of being anti-patronage and for professionally managed local government. This changed with the introduction of rent control at the end of the 1960s after which the CCA shifted leftward and became permanently lashed to the mast of the rent control vessel. Though the CCA still exists on paper (I believe), it rapidly declined after the statewide abolition of rent control (late 1994) and essentially disappeared a decade later (early 2005).

I bring up the ghost of the CCA today only to point out that when it was created it had some very admirable goals. Here's the original Mission Statement of the CCA:

Purposes: This association is formed for the following purposes:

These are pretty good founding principles for a civic organization.

One founding principle of the CCA that fell into disuse over the years is listed above as #3: To encourage and support the candidacy of men and women seeking election to public office and to support intelligent, wholesome leadership in public affairs. Indeed, I can personally testify to the fact that in its dying years the only reason the CCA made endorsements at all was because the CCA-endorsed incumbents wanted the benefit of having an advertised CCA slate of candidates that would help secure their reelection. There was precious little effort to recruit new candidates or to support them. Today, the benefits of incumbency are greater than ever. The cost of political campaigns have become absurdly high and most of the incumbents now have (City paid) staff who are inevitably political appointees who directly or indirectly assist in the reelection efforts of their bosses. The deck is increasingly stacked against challengers. Furthermore, the salary and benefits for elected councillors are now so sweet that it is unlikely that any of them would ever want to move on to another job.

CCA Origin

The Advent of PR in Cambridge - by David Goode


CIVIC CALENDAR

Tues, July 11

6:30pm   Planning Board meeting  (2nd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

General Business

1. Update from the Community Development Department

2. Adoption of Planning Board meeting transcripts

3. Board of Zoning Appeal

The Planning Board will review the Board of Zoning Appeal Special Permit application for Fast Order Food at 8 Brattle Street by &pizza pursuant to Section 10.50 Repetitive Petitions to determine if specific and material changes in the conditions are found in the application.

4. North Point #179

• Intersection alignment

• Reparcelization of Q

• Design Review of Q1

• Reparcelization of R

• Redistribution of Gross Floor Area

Public comment will be taken during these design reviews.

Wed, July 12

5:30pm   Cambridge Election Commission meeting  (1st Floor Meeting Room, 51 Inman St.)

I. MINUTES

II. REPORTS

1. Executive Director’s Report

2. Assistant Director's Report

3. Commissioners' Reports

III. PUBLIC COMMENT

IV. ACTION AGENDA

Old Business

1. Municipal Election, November 7th

New Business

---

6:00-8:00pm   Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee meeting  (Citywide Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.)

Discussion topic: community interaction

Wed, July 26

5:30pm   The City Council's Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the next steps for the Foundry Building including: financing, community benefit, non-profit ecosystem, and community engagement.  (Dr. Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)


Wed, Aug 2

3:30pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss a zoning petition by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to create a new Planned Unit Development Overlay District (PUD-7) over the area known as the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center site in Kendall Square. This hearing to be televised.  (Dr. Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, CRLS, 459 Broadway)

Mon, Aug 7

5:30pm   Special (Midsummer) City Council meeting  (Dr. Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, CRLS, 459 Broadway)

Wed, Aug 23

6:00-8:00pm   Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee meeting  (4th Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

Discussion topic: corridor visioning and analysis


Mon, Sept 11

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Sept 13

8:00am-9:30am   Recycling Advisory Committee  (Sullivan Chamber, City Hall)

6:00-8:00pm   Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee meeting  (Citywide Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.)

Discussion topic: present focus area working group recommendations, review and comment

Mon, Sept 18

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Sept 25

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)


Mon, Oct 2

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Oct 11

8:00am-9:30am   Recycling Advisory Committee  (Sullivan Chamber, City Hall)

Mon, Oct 16

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Oct 23

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Oct 30

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)


Mon, Nov 6

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Nov 7

Municipal Election. Polls are open 7:00am until 8:00pm. The Preliminary Election Count will follow at the Cambridge Senior Center in Central Square.

The Preliminary PR Count will take place at the Senior Center after the polls close.

9:00pm   Cambridge Election Commission meeting.  (Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.)

I. MINUTES

II. REPORTS

1. Executive Director's Report

2. Assistant Director's Report

3. Commissioners' Reports

III. ACTION AGENDA

Unfinished Business

1. 2015 Municipal Election – Nov 7, 2017

New Business

Wed, Nov 8

The PR Election Count continues at the Cambridge Senior Center as auxiliary ballots are tabulated and Unofficial Results are determined.

9:00am   Cambridge Election Commission meeting.  (Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.)

I. MINUTES

II. REPORTS

1. Executive Director's Report

2. Assistant Director's Report

3. Commissioners' Reports

III. PUBLIC COMMENT

IV. ACTION AGENDA

Unfinished Business

1. 2017 Municipal Election

New Business

Wed, Nov 8

8:00am-9:30am   Recycling Advisory Committee  (Sullivan Chamber, City Hall)

Mon, Nov 13

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Fri, Nov 17

4:30pm   The Cambridge Election Commission will meet to finalize the 2017 Cambridge Municipal Election results, including any provisional ballots and overseas absentee ballots (if any).  (1st Floor Meeting Room, 51 Inman St.)

4:30pm   COUNTING OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS

5:00pm   COUNTING OF OVERSEAS BALLOTS

The Official 2017 Election Results will be tabulated, certified, and announced after these ballots are included.

I. MINUTES

II. REPORTS

1. Executive Director's Report

2. Assistant Director's Report

3. Commissioners' Reports

III. PUBLIC COMMENT

IV. ACTION AGENDA

Unfinished Business

1. 2017 Municipal Election

New Business