Greetings BMGers! My name is Christine Barber and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to you. I’m a candidate in the open seat race to represent Somerville’s Ward 4 on our city’s Board of Aldermen. I would love to have your support whether you live in Ward 4, elsewhere in Somerville, or anywhere across the Commonwealth – and that support can begin simply by “Like-ing” my Facebook page and following my Twitter feed.
I have spent my career advocating for the well-being of Massachusetts residents. Currently, I’m Senior Policy Analyst at the non-profit health advocacy organization Community Catalyst, where I work with local and state advocates focused on improving the health care system, providing in-depth analysis and strategic counsel. I listen to patients’ problems with the health care system and find solutions to improve health care access and coverage. Prior to working at Community Catalyst, I served as Research Analyst for the Committee on Health Care Financing in the Massachusetts State Legislature, working on budget analysis and the state’s landmark health care law. WBUR’s Carey Goldberg recently interviewed me for her article “Q&A: When A Health Wonk Runs For Office” to get a sense of the intersection between policy expertise and the political process in an advocate’s campaign for public office.
In fact, it is that commitment to advocacy that drives my campaign. Somerville’s Ward 4 (which includes Winter Hill and Ten Hills neighborhoods) is growing, and our community needs and deserves a hard-working advocate who will listen to input from the community and bring people together. I’m a former leader of the Marshall Street Area Neighborhood Group, and I currently serve on Ward 4’s Democratic Ward Committee. My top priorities include advocating for residents’ interests in the Green Line extension, keeping housing affordable, continuing to strengthen our schools and to maintain public safety, and working with neighbors to revitalize our neighborhood and support local economic development.
Before any one single issue, I recognize the importance of working hand-in-hand with members of the community and providing top-notch constituent service. I pledge to be an accessible representative to the Board of Aldermen who embraces transparency and makes sure that members of the community are involved in the important decisions affecting their daily lives in Somerville.
Two weeks ago, our campaign had its official kickoff, where I was joined by about one hundred supporters. I was thrilled to have in attendance so many progressive leaders representing Somerville, including State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representatives Carl Sciortino and Denise Provost, and Somerville Board of Aldermen President Rebekah Gewirtz. Last week, I picked up nomination papers from the City Clerk’s office, and we are underway gathering signatures.
I would love to have your support to help win this election. If you would like to volunteer for our campaign or join our mailing list, please e-mail us at Barber4Alderman@gmail.com. Financial support in any amount would also be greatly appreciated, and you can make a contribution right on our website at http://ChristineBarber4Somerville.com/. And, of course, please “Like” our campaign on Facebook and follow our campaign’s Twitter feed. I thank you and look forward to meeting you on the campaign trail!
Hi Christine. Congrats on your decision to run. You are potentially running against incumbent Alderman Walter Pero (potentially because I don’t know if he has taken out papers).
My questions are: Walter Pero is a long time Somerville elected official – how long have you lived in Somerville? How long in Ward 4?
I noticed you didn’t mention Labor issues in your post. Where do you stand on workers rights in general?
Thanks
Hi Striker-
Thanks for your response! Walter Pero, the current Alderman in Ward 4, is not running for another term this year. I’ve lived in Somerville for seven years, five years in Ward 4. Many of my neighbors in Ward 4 and across the city are transplants to Somerville, having moved here in the last decade like me or even having moved here in the last few months. I want to live here for a long time and it’s important to me to advocate for our neighborhoods to keep them vibrant as they grow and attract more residents and businesses to our city.
As the daughter of a union member, I strongly support collective bargaining and understand the importance of organized labor. I look forward to working with union members and others to keep supporting working families in our communities.
I served as Research Analyst for the Committee on Health Care Financing in the Massachusetts State Legislature, working on budget analysis and the state’s landmark health care law. WBUR’s Carey Goldberg recently interviewed me for her article “Q&A: When A Health Wonk Runs For Office” to get a sense of the intersection between policy expertise and the political process in an advocate’s campaign for public office.
Policy wonk she may be but I have worked with her and watched her translate health policy gobbly gook into plain English for us ordinary folks trying to understand.
No Judy, capitation does not have anything to do with a certain method of execution.