Campaign Letter from Sam
Upon being sworn in to office in 2008, I kicked off a number of initiatives to make a positive impact on this community:
I have worked to make our middle schools stronger.
I co-chair the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Middle School Youth with my School Committee colleague Nancy Tauber to connect the dots for children and parents as they strive for excellence both in an out of the classroom. , Nancy and I have pulled together department heads and experts in the field, and together we will make sure that after-school providers create a seamless system of comprehensive programming with the Cambridge Public Schools for children as they get ready for their high school years.
I am committed to enhancing our neighborhoods.
I have worked with the mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association to ensure that the Joan Lorentz Park is protected and continues to serve the community as valuable open space for generations to come.
I helped secure a half a million-dollar commitment from Lesley University to enhance Massachusetts Avenue near Porter Square, to ensure that we all will have active lively, attractive places to shop, dine or stroll.
I have worked to lower our carbon footprint, clean up our environment.
I am working to develop city-backed loans for solar panel installation to help increase this valuable resource of clean energy, and have recently asked the city to find ways to increase composting among restaurants in Cambridge, as a way to reduce our waste stream while lowering costs.
I have sought ways to make our roads safer.
I sought to ban drivers from talking on cell phones while driving. I also have supported red-light cameras at intersections to protect pedestrians and bicyclists. These are no nonsense ways of making our community healthier and safer. Changes in state law are required for both, and I am hopeful that this year will bring some positive changes.
I have been a strong advocate for a responsible budget.
I was proud to vote against the section of this year’s budget that gave City Councillors a cost of living increase. In tough economic times, it is important that sacrifices are shared by all. Although the measure passed in spite of my vote, I intend to give away my raise to Cambridge non-profits that serve the needy in our community.
But I want to serve another term on the Council because there is so much more to do -–
Cambridge must remain a family-friendly community.
To do this, I have initiated a look at possible incentives for larger residential units to be built in Cambridge, to make sure that families are finding the housing they need. It is important that we put in place the right policy for the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s community, and the development of that policy will take time – to hear from families, to hear from housing advocates, to hear from the developers of housing, and to craft something that works.
Middle Schools will be a focus over the next two years.
My work on the middle schools needs continued attention to ensure that the accomplishments we have made today turn into the effective programs of tomorrow, so that all our children are receiving an excellent and enriching experience both in an out of school. The important work of developing effective partnerships after-school programs is still in its early stages, and it’s important that the City Council continue working with the departments and the schools to make it happen.
There is more work to do when it comes to the environment.
Climate scientists paint a very challenging picture if we do not take significant steps to choose a new course for our future. Cambridge’s recent declaration of the “Climate Emergency” now offers the Council the opportunity to continue this important work, with zoning changes to allow clean energy sources, and implementation of a greener building code. Cambridge is also poised to be a leader in the development of the systems and technologies that will make this “green revolution” possible. I believe the City Council needs strong advocates for this important work.
- Sam Seidel
