Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

  • Shop
  • Subscribe to BMG
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Front Page
  • All Posts
  • About
  • Rules
  • Events
  • Register on BMG

A Policy Wonk Runs for Local Office

June 1, 2011 By christinebarber 3 Comments

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!

Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0
0

Filed Under: User Tagged With: Board of Aldermen, Christine Barber, election, health-care, policy wonk, progressive, somerville

Comments

  1. striker57 says

    June 1, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    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

    Log in to Reply
    • christinebarber says

      June 6, 2011 at 11:09 pm

      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.

      Log in to Reply
  2. judy-meredith says

    June 2, 2011 at 6:24 am

    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.

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recommended Posts

  • Progressive Mass Shouldn’t Back Stupid Primaries (3)
  • There Is Not A Chance the White House is Happy With This Timing (3)
  • Promises made, promises kept (1)
  • Real “Center” is Economically Nationalist/Culturally Moderate (1)

Recent User Posts

Progressive Mass Shouldn’t Back Stupid Primaries

August 12, 2022 By jconway 7 Comments

There Is Not A Chance the White House is Happy With This Timing

August 10, 2022 By terrymcginty 8 Comments

Site issue: Unable to reply to comments

August 10, 2022 By SomervilleTom 2 Comments

Why do PUKES oppose $35 insulin for diabetics with private insurance?

August 8, 2022 By fredrichlariccia 3 Comments

Promises made, promises kept

August 8, 2022 By fredrichlariccia Leave a Comment

Schedule F

August 7, 2022 By johntmay 4 Comments

Recent Comments

  • SomervilleTom on Progressive Mass Shouldn’t Back Stupid PrimariesTommy Vitolo was directly responsible for the Brookline…
  • SomervilleTom on Progressive Mass Shouldn’t Back Stupid PrimariesThis comment exemplifies why I'm done with "Progressive…
  • Keith Bernard on Progressive Mass Shouldn’t Back Stupid PrimariesDon't get mad at Progressive Mass because Tommy Vitolo i…
  • fredrichlariccia on Progressive Mass Shouldn’t Back Stupid PrimariesThe other half of Wakefield (Precincts 4 - 6) is in the…
  • fredrichlariccia on Progressive Mass Shouldn’t Back Stupid PrimariesThe 9th Essex district James and I share as fellow Wakef…
  • fredrichlariccia on Progressive Mass Shouldn’t Back Stupid PrimariesYou hit the nail on the head here. Namely: Holier than T…
  • SomervilleTom on Progressive Mass Shouldn’t Back Stupid PrimariesI appreciate you writing this diary. This primary seems…

Archive

@bluemassgroup on Twitter

#mapoli

notoriousvog Notorious VOG @notoriousvog ·
35m

THIS HAPPENED! AGAIN!👇🏾

"We're ready, to build a Boston for everyone!"
~ @MayorWu

#ThankYou @BostonVote
🔖#NITM☕#UrbanAgenda
#VoiceOfBlackBoston
#BOSpoli #MApoli

VOTEBoston @BostonVote

@Tania4D7 @NotoriousVOG @MayorWu @universalhub did it again! After numerous BHA @StopandShop complaints went unheard, it’s ‘all hands on deck’ at the #Dorchester #Roxbury store. Location looks much cleaner! Only a single broken tile at the exit but who’s counting! 😅#ThankYou

Reply on Twitter 1559235839237971973 Retweet on Twitter 1559235839237971973 Like on Twitter 1559235839237971973 Twitter 1559235839237971973
diqueactivist Just Karlitos @diqueactivist ·
36m

Support Progressive candidates at the local and state level! #mapoli

Christina Warriner @chrissyteena

# 1 way to break my heart 💔:

if you plan to go to the Bernie rally for working class solidarity + haven’t invested your time/money into progressive candidates who are fighting for this + running for office right here in MA!

They have huge elections on Sept. 6 + they need YOU!

Reply on Twitter 1559235587693056003 Retweet on Twitter 1559235587693056003 Like on Twitter 1559235587693056003 Twitter 1559235587693056003
gintautasd Gintautas Dumcius @gintautasd ·
38m

Hello 👀
#bospoli #mapoli

MassINC Polling @MassINCPolling

New poll out this AM, conducted for @ResponsibleDev1, on:

- wage theft
- responsible development
- economic priorities
- rent control

Additional questions primary and general election issues to be released later this week.

https://www.massincpolling.com/the-topline/new-poll-massachusetts-voters-favor-responsible-development-practices-cracking-down-on-wage-theft

Reply on Twitter 1559235133206679558 Retweet on Twitter 1559235133206679558 Like on Twitter 1559235133206679558 Twitter 1559235133206679558
alishachopra9 Barry Brannberg @alishachopra9 ·
39m

As soon as my tool arrived I started making paper beads. So fun! a̔nd the tool works amazingly. Thank you so much for the generous assortment of beads too. ✨
#cappers #mifi #5g #verizon #sacramentoproud #mapoli

https://www.etsy.com/listing/160911444/paper-bead-making-tool-slotted-double?t=1660585569

Reply on Twitter 1559235009281933312 Retweet on Twitter 1559235009281933312 Like on Twitter 1559235009281933312 Twitter 1559235009281933312
jimaloisi Jim Aloisi @jimaloisi ·
39m

Oh, so functioning transit and rail actually reduce traffic congestion? Who'd a thunk it? Maybe #mapoli needs more transit & rail service to make driving less of a hassle. Trying to think outside the box here.

Nik DeCosta-Klipa @NikDeCostaKlipa

.@MassDOT Highway Administrator @JLGulliver warns that there will be "severe traffic congestion" throughout the Boston area due to the Orange Line shutdown.

"If possible, avoid the region altogether until the diversion period has concluded."

Reply on Twitter 1559234842843389953 Retweet on Twitter 1559234842843389953 Like on Twitter 1559234842843389953 5 Twitter 1559234842843389953
activate_media Activate Media @activate_media ·
41m

Tonight on Activate Radio
6 Democracy Now
7 Occupied Nation
9 CrimethInc
http://activatemedia.org
#boston #cambridge #worcester #lowell #nyc #manchester #providence #portland #bospoli #mapoli

Reply on Twitter 1559234351379906560 Retweet on Twitter 1559234351379906560 Like on Twitter 1559234351379906560 Twitter 1559234351379906560
Load More

From our sponsors




Google Calendar







Search

Archives

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter




Copyright © 2022 Owned and operated by BMG Media Empire LLC. Read the terms of use. Some rights reserved.