There is so much work left to do! I know most of my colleagues will do their due diligence, and it’s incumbent on all of us to continue to push the Council and the Mayor to do what is needed. My commitment to the people of Somerville has not changed. I will continue to work alongside my neighbors to build a Somerville that works for all of us. As always, we need organizers and advocates outside of City Hall who will be relentless in their pursuit of justice. The city is not moving fast enough to make our streets and sidewalks safer. With limited progress towards true public safety, we’re setting ourselves up to call the status quo satisfactory instead of building a real alternative to policing. Lack of investment in public services and crumbling infrastructure maintains a system of privatization that costs taxpayers more money and leaves many students without a school building. Our housing crisis will not be solved by hoping altruistic developers will bail us out while our service providers and city departments drown in a sea of suffering residents.

 

I hope this news comes with a recommitment from all of my supporters to pay attention, to show up, to organize with each other, and to not despair. It is clear that Somerville has existential questions ahead. Who do we want to feel safe and comfortable here? What kind of problems are we willing to solve? How long can we continue to give lip service to progress for all while, in reality, continuing with a system of business as usual?

 

Despite the many struggles we are collectively up against, nihilism is a luxury we cannot afford. We have a better world to build. For now, I will continue to work for that world in the council chamber through the end of this term. Until then and after, I will see you in the streets because our neighbors are counting on us to fight for that world.

 

In solidarity,

Charlotte