The Somerville Times put three questions of interest to the voters of Somerville to the four candidates running for mayor of Somerville. The candidates’ answers are presented in alphabetical order, according to their last names. The questions and answers are as follows:

Katjana Ballantyne

Question 1: You are promising great things for our city. But we need to invest $1.12 billion in our disintegrating infrastructure just to prevent emergencies and meet code requirements. How do we pay for that along with the things that you are promising?

As mayor, I will be committed to creating safe, accessible, complete streets that work for all Somerville users. To enable complete streets there are a variety of large-scale infrastructure projects to complete, like storm water, sewerage, and other utility upgrades. Many of these projects require immediate attention, as recent flooding and service interruptions show.

Somerville expects tens of millions of stimulus dollars from the federal government. I’ll establish an open process to define priority, shovel-ready projects and I’ll work to jump-start critical projects, like stormwater management in our squares, with stimulus funding. I’ll work for Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) support in the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Somerville will need to complete entitlements work, 25% or so, to get projects into the LRTP and TIP. After that, accepted projects could use MPO funding for final designs, engineering, and construction.

The good planning and mixed-use development that I’ve been advocating for decades is beginning to diversify our tax base, as we presently see new office and lab / R&D buildings developed according to new zoning. I’ll keep working for appropriate commercial development, so that new development and businesses can help us to pay for new infrastructure.

Question 2: With Overdose Awareness Day just behind us and we are now in National Recovery Month, what would you like to be done to help with this problem if you are elected?

As we remember the fourteen Somerville residents who died by overdose in 2020, I state my support for harm reduction efforts. Supervised consumption sites, (SCS) are one type of harm reduction, with a primary goal of keeping people alive. The opioid crisis is a public health emergency. As mayor, I will support an open process, involving all stakeholders, to determine what’s right for Somerville. I will work to coordinate with state and federal efforts to end preventable deaths by overdose.

As mayor, I’ll advocate supporting and expanding the work of Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP), a community based coalition supported by the City’s Health Department, works to reduce substance abuse, as well as the harms associated with such use among Somerville residents with a particular focus on youth. I will also support the Community Outreach, Help and Recovery (COHR) initiative, which provides addicts with alternatives to arrest and help in finding recovery resources.

Question 3: In general, why should Somerville voters choose you for mayor over the other candidates?

Our next mayor must have three key qualities to lead our city through our current and future challenges, she must embody; Somerville values, an inclusive leadership style, and proven experience. I’m running to represent the values and culture of Somerville, to make sure that everyone’s voice will be heard in city hall and I’m running because our next Mayor needs to have the skills and experience to be our chief executive. I’m running for mayor because I best bring these three key qualities to the mayor’s office.

My values-driven initiatives have made Somerville a national leader in combating climate change, increased affordable housing, access to jobs, and protected vulnerable communities. My tri-sector experience, in business, non-profit community organizations, and in government as a city councilor, qualify me uniquely to understand and align the incentives and strengths of all stakeholders to solve complex problems. My inclusive leadership creates buy-in, shared purpose, enthusiasm, and better results. I’m known for listening, and valuing all voices; activist voices, and the voices of vulnerable residents.

I ask your vote, on September 14th, so that we can keep working to make Somerville an inclusive, equitable city where we can all thrive together.

For more information on the candidate visit www.katjana.org.

Mary Cassesso

Question 1: You are promising great things for our city. But we need to invest $1.12 billion in our disintegrating infrastructure just to prevent emergencies and meet code requirements. How do we pay for that along with the things that you are promising?

For Somerville to continue to thrive we need robust investment in our city’s infrastructure. This has become more apparent due to the worsening effects of climate change. The pending Federal Infrastructure Bill will fund much of the work that we need to do. As mayor, I will invest in our water and sewer systems, drainage systems, green and open spaces, and expand tree canopies to combat the increased flooding we have suffered in certain low-lying neighborhoods. We will need our streets to become more pedestrian and bicycle friendly so that we can make our communities a safer place to live. It is a moral obligation to reach carbon neutrality when investing in our city’s infrastructure.

We can no longer defer investment in our infrastructure. This need has been growing as a result of the passage of Proposition 2 1/2 in the 80’s. This initiative capped revenue from property taxes and has made it difficult to have resources to continue to maintain and improve infrastructure within the City of Somerville. There is an opportunity right now to utilize federal funding to do this essential work. Additionally, larger developers coming into the city must contribute to the city’s infrastructure that they plan to depend upon. By making these

investments, we can continue to grow our tax base and assure a future where these services are properly maintained.

Question 2: With Overdose Awareness Day just behind us and we are now in National Recovery Month, what would you like to be done to help with this problem if you are elected?

Substance use treatment has been an area of focus of mine for the past 7 years, as a result of community groups and individuals identifying it as their primary unmet need. As mayor I will invest in our Health and Human Services department, as well as lead in our regional efforts, by continuing initiatives such as the recovery center in Malden. We must work together with community-based agencies like Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR) and Somerville Overcoming Addiction, government entities, and hospital systems to make sure that there are no gaps in our continuum of care, and enough resources for treatment, recovery, and employment opportunities to successfully navigate and remain in recovery.

Sadly, the gains we made in reducing overdoses were wiped out during the pandemic. We will collectively increase our workforce in mental health and substance use treatment, from community health peers, social workers, nurses, psychiatrists, and psychologists. We need to incentivize workers to enter this field, with particular attention to adding diversity.

I support the Cahoots model as a future for how we handle interactions that require de-escalation. All opportunities to treat and reduce substance use and keep people alive must be at our disposal. That is why I support overdose prevention sites, as one measure among many to address this epidemic.

Question 3: In general, why should Somerville voters choose you for mayor over the other candidates?

I am ready to take on the role of mayor from day one. I am the only candidate running with the experience necessary to deliver for the people, the only candidate who has operated large and complex organizations. I am a public servant, not a politician. I will listen to our neighbors and communities to make our City more equitable, safe, and inclusive.

I am the candidate for working families. I will prioritize an affordable Somerville. I have the knowledge and background in public health that will serve us well as we emerge from the pandemic and focus on all the social factors of health.

I am confident that my lived experiences, raised by a single mom and growing up poor in East Somerville, and my participation in progressive movements to advance equity and social justice, combined with my unparalleled experience in senior administrative and financial roles in the city of Somerville, the Patrick and Dukakis Administrations, Harvard University, and Cambridge Health Alliance have prepared me to become your next mayor. Somerville not only needs a leader who has a vision for equity and sustainability, but someone who has a proven track record and is committed to listening and tapping into a vast and diverse network to get the job done.

For more information on the candidate visit www.marycassesso.com.

Wilfred N. Mbah

Question 1: You are promising great things for our city. But we need to invest $1.12 billion in our disintegrating infrastructure just to prevent emergencies and meet code requirements. How do we pay for that along with the things that you are promising?

There are several ways we can pay for the investments we need to make Somerville a more equitable and sustainable city. First, we are going to be receiving federal funding from both the American Rescue Plan, which was passed earlier this year, and an expected federal stimulus bill. Second, it’s time for developers from outside of our city to pay their fair share. If we increase the linkage fee for large developments, we can continue to invest more into our city’s Job Creation and Retention Trust. Additionally, the GLX is bound to bring more development and jobs to Somerville. This will expand our commercial tax base and bring in more revenue for the city, which we can invest in a Green New Deal for Somerville, education, and making our transportation infrastructure safer and more accessible. And finally, the green line is coming in under budget and we are due to receive some funding back as a result of this. We can invest these funds in upgrading our disintegrating infrastructure.

Question 2: With Overdose Awareness Day just behind us and we are now in National Recovery Month, what would you like to be done to help with this problem if you are elected?

For too long our society has treated the victims of substance abuse as criminals and not people in need of help who are suffering from a disease. We need to take a more humane approach to help people struggling with substance abuse. I will focus the work Somerville Prevention Services and Somerville Health and Human Services do on treatment and outreach to people that are suffering from substance abuse.

I will also be sure to implement the Safe Consumption Site, which has been approved, and ensure it has the resources necessary to properly help individuals who are victims of substance abuse. With the Safe Consumption Site, we can meet the individuals who are victims of substance abuse where they are and work with them to get them the help they need. We also need to focus on the variety of services a safe consumption site will offer, such as connecting individuals with treatment sites and preventing overdoses.

Question 3: In general, why should Somerville voters choose you for mayor over the other candidates?

I believe there are three areas that distinguish me from my opponents. The first area is my lived experiences. I am an immigrant from Cameroon and was raised in a foster home and by my extended family after my parents died. When I came to Somerville, I learned what it was like to work hard, but barely get by. Despite holding an advanced degree, I worked as a janitor and dishwasher when I arrived here. I also have experienced Somerville’s housing crisis first hand. At one point I was forced to move five times over a six year period due to rising rents. I also understand what it is like to be a person of color in this city. I have been racially profiled and discriminated against and personally understand how this impacts our neighbors who are people of color. The best way to address issues like housing affordability and racial justice is by electing people who have been directly impacted by these issues.

Next, I am the only candidate in this race that has a background in STEM. I have an undergraduate degree in environmental science and a master’s degree in soil science. Currently, I work as an environmental analyst at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. My background in environmental science makes me uniquely qualified to make our city a model for national sustainability and prepare Somerville for the impact of climate change. These qualifications are why I was endorsed by 314 Action, a national organization that endorses candidates with a background in STEM, and Sunrise Somerville Youth, a local organization dedicated to fighting climate change.

Finally, I am the only candidate in this race that can say they have NEVER accepted contributions from developers. This was a commitment I made when I first ran for office and one that I have kept in every subsequent campaign, including this campaign for mayor. No other candidate in this race can say that. Residents can know for certain that I will prioritize their needs over the needs of developers. I am always going to put people before profits.

For more information on the candidate visit www.willmbah.com.

William “Billy”  Tauro

Question 1: You are promising great things for our city. But we need to invest $1.12 billion in our disintegrating infrastructure just to prevent emergencies and meet code requirements. How do we pay for that along with the things that you are promising?

Who’s opinion was this large investment attributed to? I would like to see exactly why the amount of 1.12 Billion is the actual estimate for the disintegrating infrastructure. I feel those numbers have been grossly ballooned out of proportion to scare the citizens and accommodate the same underhanded dealings and white envelopes used for payoffs from the administration dealings. In my administration, we will be frugal and efficient in time, expenditures, and completion. The past has failed and now it is time for a change.

Question 2: With Overdose Awareness Day just behind us and we are now in National Recovery Month, what would you like to be done to help with this problem if you are elected?

Treatment and recovery has been an on going staple in my statements. Encouraging the continuation of drug abuse only masks the issue. I would like to see special units within a Hospital environment allow Treatment along with a recovery program that works. People are tired of losing so many loved ones because of a lack of treatment. I intend on seeing our HUB Program integrate along with this to not only provide the proper help and treatment but preserve a future for the individuals to function in society with better standards.

Question 3: In general, why should Somerville voters choose you for mayor over the other candidates?

I speak from the heart when I say I will follow through with something I do! For well over a decade I have helped many individuals to give them a better way of life. I will apply my common sense and business experiences to put our community on a better way of living. I will unite groups with honesty and truthful actions. I will compromise on all levels. I will protect the citizens of our community on all levels so that they can enjoy the fruits of their labor or the choices of their life. A vote for me will be the best thing Somerville can have for the future.

Please consider me, William B. Tauro for your next Mayor. Please remember to vote on September 14th and if you need a ride to the polls, please give my campaign a call at (617)778-3992. Thank you!

For more information on the candidate visit www.billy4mayor.com.