(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Some of you may recognize us from years of working for the betterment of our neighborhood, Ward 5 and for our City. Some of you may not recognize us because you may be a recent arrival. And some of you who know us, gasped when you saw this photo of us together considering some long ago public disagreement we had with each other.

But we are here now, standing together and with one voice, to express our support for Beatriz Gómez Mouakad as the next City Councilor from Ward 5 in Somerville.

When we think of the challenges our neighborhood, our ward and our city and beyond will face in the future, we need a person with vision, fairness, compassion, and the leadership skills to help us craft and execute a plan for success. Beatriz Gómez Mouakad is that person. Her professional skills, her dedication to all the ward and city issues, her determined can do attitude, (finished off with a tough as nails exterior) and her engaging personal style, is just what we need at this moment in our community’s progressive path forward.

We two have been working for our neighborhood, ward and city for a long time. We know who has stood beside us in the past. And we know Beatriz has been there. We also know she is the best choice to continue to stand with us, to help lead us, and to work for us as the next Ward 5 City Councilor. We ask you to please vote for Beatriz Gómez Mouakad on September 14, 2021, Councilor, Ward 5.

Thank you and please stay safe.

Courtney O’Keefe – Former Ward 5 Alderman, Founder, Ward 5 Online
Joe Lynch – Former Ward 5 Democratic City Committee Chair