After solicitations to upcoming candidate forums I wondered about who would be in the room and language justice. I had reached out to the new Executive Director Sara Kirubi to take temperature about plans to promote civic participation and solicit a questionnaire. The history below was added in lieu of no questionnaire to keep myself centered and rooted and to show appreciation to the Project's long history in supporting direct access and advocacy for human rights. Director Kirubi replied that the translators program was available to give assistance to upcoming candidate forums. Below excerpted from email to The Welcome Project: My understanding is that fear of reprisal is rampant in the nonprofit community,not simply for being suspect of violating Internal Revenue Service rules that limit political activities. Yet an event was announced for October by a coalition a candidate forum after the prelims. I don't see collaborative governance happening to achieve greater diversity of...

 Responses by Christopher Ryan Spicer This is an excerpt from the SASS questionnaire: Do you support the SomerVision 2040 goal of reducing vehicular traffic so that 75% of work commutes are made via non-car mode by 2040? Please explain your answer. * Yes, I do support the SomerVision 2040 goal. My Nigerian neighbor grew up taking out lifestock, goats, sheep, into the pasture, now is a renter and a devoted driver, attached to his car to the point he says it's his favorite thing about living in America--but then, months later--he's completely flipped--I see him coming off of the MBTA line--he loves it. His whole world has changed. About these goals--some say that "micromobility facilities" are just a white issue--and that bears out in my experience. That is the challenge to this movement, to widen our circles and find intersectional points--which brings me to why I support the goal. I am concerned about the fact black and brown families are most impacted by pollution an...

  Fair Housing questionnaire for candidates, 2025 Responses by Christopher Ryan Spicer Question 1: Have you ever seen or personally experienced discrimination in housing (either in renting, buying, or getting a mortgage)? What did you observe, how did you handle it, and how did you feel about it? Last year I saw the impact of precarious housing compounded by   an ICE detention which divided an East Somerville family. At the request of the remaining parent, I brought over documents for spousal visitation at Plymouth Jail.  I often think of  that family and  the cramped basement housing conditions of their home . Some places have holes in floors, or rent dirt floor basements. Blatant c ode violations . If Inspectional Services Department (ISD) comes and issues a fine, it is likely a landlord may retaliate by escalating rents. So I know that dilemma of a housing ally or conscientious neighbor, whether to call ISD or overlook the landlord’s gross exploitation. ...