Meet the CCC Candidates Event on Oct. 1

On October 1, 2023  4:30-6:30 CCC held its first candidates event at the Mid-Cambridge home of Sara and Larry Berman - the site of many important campaign launches.

The  images and text below were posted by Mandy Lee on Next Door (and are republished here awith her permission.

Stopped by the Cambridge Citizens Coalition endorsees introduction event [this] past Sunday.

Every candidates/endorsees showed up except Ayesha [Wilson who had a prior conflict]). I have the pleasure to meet some of them. Everyone took turn to give a short pitch, why they run and what they stand for and care about. It was a delight to see everyone bring different background and expertise to the table. They are long-time Cambridge residents and know the issues of their constituents well. I would say there really are no wrong choices here. I may not agree with some of the voting records of Patty's (one of the incumbents) but at least she acknowledged and was frank about them. I live near Central Sq in Mid-Cambridge so I would definitely give Joan Pickett (mid-Cambridge) and Cathie Zusy (Cambridgeport) my vote. They understand the pressing issue of the safety and drug problem in the Square, the overlay up-zoning plan, and the lack of support for senior and businesses with the dramatically change in traffic and parking conditions. I am also very impressed by John Hanrraty (Porter Sq, Avon Hill), his knowledge about clean energy and green tech, which I am passionate about.

I am Asian American. And I am very pleased that a dedicated and hands-on candidate like Hao Wang would have a chance to represent many of the Asian residents, whom I think are serverely under-represented. Didn't get a chance to chat with Federico, Doug, Carrie, and Bob. I will look out for another event to go to find out more. But based on their short introductions, I would feel very comfortable circling them in. Last by not least, I am delighted Paul Toner was there. It is not a surprise why so many of my neighbors love him and say vote them all out (the current city council) except Paul. I don't know how exactly whom I would vote for or in what order just yet.

But I can tell you right now whom I would absolutely not vote for: Dan.... For 20-30 minutes [at the] beginning of the meet and greet, there was an angry [...group], summoned by Dan, screaming, protesting, trying to drown out the meeting. I don't know what the beef was about as I came late. Regardless, I find this tactic and intimidation appalling and repulsive. You may not like a candidate, or what they stand for. You resolve it in a civil manner, and not by verbal assault. It achieves little except completely turning off voters. I can just imagine him being this confrontational at the council, representing a few radical activists, instead of working and compromising with other people who happen to have different opinions and backgrounds for the general population.

[Ed. note: The small protest wasorganized by the above mentioned candidate, someone who has been  endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)  and Our Revolution, leaders of which were part of this effort to derail the event.  This small group of protestors left well before the candidate presentations. The best reporting of the event was done by  the Harvard Crimson]. Prior to this event this same candidate boasted on social media that he had turned down CCC's endorsement of him; no such endorsement occurred. Councillor Denise Simmons has called for more police security at Cambridge polling places around the city during this election in part as a result of these kinds of incidents: HERE.

In response to some of the noise in play this election we also want to take this opportunity to reaffirm who we are:

WHO WE ARE...Cambridge Citizens Coalition (CCC) was founded by local neighborhood group leaders and is led by them along with other local civic activists and residents dedicated to smart development, thoughtful city planning, good governance policies, sustainability, housing affordability, and the preservation of our trees, green spaces, and historic architecture.  CCC stands with the LGBTQIA+ community’s fight for equality. We are committed to ending anti-LGBTQIA+ violence, bullying, and discrimination, and to ensuring that LGBTQIA+ individuals are treated with dignity and respect in their communities, their workplaces, and their schools. CCC believes in nurturing growth and positive change for individuals and communities alike. We stand with and advocate for equity and social justice for indigenous communities, people of color (BIPOC), those with disabilities,  others who have been marginalized and individuals practicing every religious faith.

This statement is posted at the top of the main page of our website.  For the most part we stay clear of social media.