Rebekah Gewirtz

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Winter 2009

Dear Friends,
It's almost Thanksgiving and there are many different events and news updates to share. First, I want to thank you again for your support throughout my re-election campaign this year. I was honored to be elected for a third term. I'm looking forward to the coming two years - there's much work to do!

In this newsletter you will find information about upcoming events of interest and of course, the now regular Constituent Corner, where I'm interested to hear your feedback on issues happening now in the city.

Also in this newsletter, I will share my endorsement for the US Senate race. The primary is coming up December 8th. Please remember to vote!

As always, if you have information you'd like me to share with others through my e-newsletter, send me an email to Rebekah@rcn.com.
Best wishes for a warm and healthy holiday season,
Rebekah

In this E-Newsletter

• Rebekah's Endorsement for US Senate - Mike Capuano
• Constituent Corner: Staples in Davis Square, Green Line Hearing, Russell Disposal Contract
• Community Meetings: Ward 6 ResiStat meeting (Tonight, Nov 23) , Brown School Public
• Hearing (Nov 30), Davis Square Task Force meeting (Dec 1), Legislative Matters Historic
• Preservation (Dec 2), Somerville Local First Panel Discussion (Dec 7), Housing and Community Development (Dec 14), Young Somerville Advisory Group Meeting (Dec 16)
• Holiday Parties and Events: Tree Lighting at City Hall (Dec 3), Centro Presente Holiday Party (Dec 11), Somerville Illuminations Tour (Dec 19)
• New to Somerville: Contact the police anonymously through Tip411

Capuano

I'm proud to endorse our Congressman and former Somerville mayor, Michael Capuano for United States Senate. As our congressman, Mike has been a leader on so many critical issues - from increasing the minimum wage, to health insurance reform, to fair taxation, and opposing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the senate I know he will continue to advance these values and that he will carry on the important legacy of Senator Kennedy. Mike Capuano is a strong progressive voice - a voice we need especially now in the US Senate.

Please join me in supporting Mike Capuano for US senate. For more information about the campaign go to www.mikecapuano.com.

The campaign is looking for volunteers between now and Election Day, December 8th. Please contact the campaign office if you're able to help at 617-868-2009 or me at 617-718-0792 or Rebekah@rcn.com.

Constituent Corner

In this section of my e-newsletter, I'm looking to hear from you on important issues facing the city. Click on the link at the end of each question and let me know what you think. Getting your feedback on these issues is very important to me, and I hope this feature of my newsletter will encourage you to share your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. As always, feel free to contact me via email at rebekah@rcn.com or 617-718-0792.

Should a Staples come to Davis Square?

There is a proposal being made by the owners of the Citizens Bank building on Elm Street on the corner or Bowers Ave. to bring a Staples to that space. I have been very concerned about large chain stores coming into the square. I'm curious to hear your thoughts. Would you want a Staples in Davis Square? Let me know by sending me an email to: Rebekah@rcn.com.

Green Line Extension Hearing.

Last week there was a hearing about the green line extension and the Draft Environmental Impact Report. You can find details about the report by going to this website: www.greenlineextension.org.

I testified at the hearing and talked about three things in particular: that the maintenance facility be placed at a location that is not harmful to residents or our economic development potential (in opposition to Yard 8); that the community path be extended at the same time as the green line; and that the Executive Office of Transportation initiate a community process that is inclusive and that involves the immigrant community in our city. What are your thoughts on the Green Line Extension and the report? Email me your ideas to: Rebekah@rcn.com

Somerville's Trash Contract.

This past week, the city renewed the trash contract with Russell Disposal. I've had concerns about Russell's labor practices. I voted in favor of extending the contract for the one year left of the current contract but not for an extended 5 years. Check out the article on the vote by clicking here.

What's your take on the debate and on Russell? Hearing from you is helpful. Email me at: Rebekah@rcn.com.

Meetings and Events

Ward 6 ResiStat meeting
TONIGHT, Nov 23, 2009 at 7:30pm, Ciampa Manor at 27 College Ave.
This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts and concerns with the Mayor, me, and City Department Heads.

Topics for discussion include:

• Parking regulations change roll-out
• Community path extension plans
• Hodgkins-Curtin Park renovation progress
• Davis Square economic development projects
• Environmental policies and initiatives
• Neighborhood-specific housing and transportation trends.

For a preview of the presentation, click here and to see a list of issues raised for Ward 6 in prior meetings, click here.

Brown School Public Hearing Monday, Nov 30, 2009 at 6pm at the Somerville Library
This hearing will focus on the 6th grade at the Brown School. All residents are invited to come to the hearing. I plan on attending the hearing to express my support for the Brown School and for keeping the 6th grade. The Brown School is the most cost efficient school in the city and one of the highest performing schools, as well. It's also a central part of our community. For more information about the hearing feel free to contact me or you could reach out to Ward 6 School Committee member Paul Bockelman.

Davis Square Task Force meeting
Tuesday December 1st 7-9pm in the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St.
The Davis Square Task Force is one of the oldest and longest standing community groups in the area. All meetings are open to anyone who wishes to participate and there is an organizing committee of the Task Force that meets the Wednesday before each meeting to set the agenda. Task Force meetings are typically bi-monthly (on Monday nights). For more information or to get on the Yahoo groups mailing list for the Task Force, please send an email here.

Legislative Matters Historic
Preservation, Wednesday Dec 2, 2009 at 7pm, Somerville City Hall
The Historic Preservation Commission has been working over the course of the past 2 years to inventory the city to determine which structures are historically important and need to be preserved. At this meeting of the Legislative Matters Committee, we will hear from staff of the Commission and discuss next steps in terms of designating structures. This meeting is open to the public so please come if this topic interests you.

Somerville Local First Panel Discussion
Monday, Dec 7, 2009 at 7pm at the Somerville Theater in Davis Square
Somerville Local First, in partnership with Cambridge Local First announced the launch of "Shift Your Shopping" Holiday Campaign. This campaign will last between November 29 and December 31st and the goal is to urge people to shop locally. The launch of the campaign comes on the heels of a breakthrough New Orleans Study - Thinking Outside The Box by Civic Economics which shows that local retailers have twice the local economic impact of big box stores, while consuming a fraction of the land area. As a part of this campaign, Dan Houston, principal of Civic Economics, will be speaking about the New Orleans study and the impact of the Shift at this event at the Somerville Theater. Following the talk, there will be a panel discussion hosted by WBUR's Robin Young. Panelists include me, Michael Kanter of Cambridge Naturals, and SLF Founding Executive Director Joe rafton.

Housing and Community Development
Monday December 14, 2009, 6pm at Somerville City Hall
At this meeting we will discuss next steps with respect to the Green Line extension and we'll discuss a proposal for a second head house at the future Assembly Square T stop. If you're interested in either topic please attend this meeting. If you have questions, feel free to be in touch with me at Rebekah@rcn.com or 617-718-0792.

Young Somerville Advisory Group Meeting
Wednesday Dec 16, 2009 at 6:30pm at the Tufts Administration Building
The Young Somerville Advisory Group, convened by the mayor, is comprised of thirty 21 to 35 year old Somerville residents. The group's goals are to increase the number of young residents engaged in civic community, improve the quality of City services and increase communication between City government and people in this age group. For more information click here.

At the meeting on Dec 16th the group will be learning about DARBI - The Davis Area Resident Business Initiative.

Holiday Activities

Tree Lighting
City Hall, Thursday Dec 3, 2009 at 6pm at the City Hall Concourse on Highland Ave Join santa and other special guests at the annual tree lighting celebration. This event is family friendly and there will be refreshments in city hall before the event. For more information contact city hall at 617-625-6600 and ask for the mayor's office.

Centro Presente Holiday Party
Friday Dec 11th, at 7pm at the Somerville City Club, Inner Belt Road
Now based in Somerville on Inner Belt Road, Centro Presente is a member-driven, state-wide Latin American immigrant organization dedicated to the self-determination and self-sufficiency of the Latin American immigrant community. This holiday party will be a fun chance to come learn more about this important organization in our community. For more information about Centro Presente, check out their website at www.cpresente.org.

Somerville Illuminations Tour
Saturday December 19, 2009, leaving from City Hall
The Illuminations Tour is the Somerville Arts Council's annual trolley tour of holiday light displays. The 45-minute tour celebrates the folk-artistry of the many city residents who transform their houses and yards with lights, illuminated ornaments, and fantasy light displays during the darkest time of the year. Tours leave from (and return to) Somerville City Hall where coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies are served. Entertainment at City Hall includes choral music, courtesy of the Somerville Community Chorus, craft activities for children, and changing annual events.Get your tickets early since the tours sell out fast! Tickets are available on the Arts Council website:
http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/programs/illuminations/

Do you know of other holiday events or festivities? Please let me know and if there are enough additional events I will share them through a special holiday newsletter Rebekah@rcn.com or 617-718-0792.

NEW to Somerville - Contact the Police through Tip411

The city recently announced a new program called Tip411 that enables cell phone users to send anonymous text messages to police and lets the police respond, creating a two-way anonymous "chat" that helps the police gain additional information while protecting the anonymity of their informants. Tip411 is designed for use in non-emergency situations only, and is not an alternative to 911. Cell phone users can send an anonymous tip to the Somerville Police Department by texting a message to 847411 (Tip411).

To be routed to the Somerville Police, the text message must begin with the key-phrase "617SPD" followed by the main body of the message.

The system is 100% anonymous because the technology removes all identifying information before the message is transmitted to the Police Department. When the police receive an alert from that a message has been received, Somerville Police officers can check a secure website to obtain the information and, if necessary, respond to the sender for follow up. The Police never see the number or the name of the cell phone owner which remain untraceable.

For more information about the program, contact Somerville Police or City Hall at 617-625-6600.