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— Photo by Bobbie Toner
Sets the tone for inclusive leadership with transparent and accessible government
Mayor-elect Katjana Ballantyne has formed an Advisory Committee of some of the area’s top advocates and professionals to provide their perspectives on numerous issues including such priorities as COVID recovery, climate change, and affordable housing. Katie Brillantes, who earned an MA in Public Policy from Harvard University, is serving as the Advisory Committee Director.
“Somerville residents are one of greatest resources for our city and our government. We achieve our greatest successes when we are inclusive and work together,” noted Ballantyne. “These experienced community leaders, scholars, and activists represent a wide range of policy areas and expertise. While they may take different approaches, they are passionately committed to making Somerville a better place and a stronger community while providing me with the best information available as we tackle the challenges ahead.”
The Advisory Committee held three virtual meetings in early December. “During the course of those meetings, members discussed their opinions about short and medium/long term goals for mayor-elect Ballantyne’s administration,” said Brillantes. “The intention of these meetings was to synthesize and convey priorities of these community thought leaders to the Mayor-elect.”
The seventeen members of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee are:
Stephenson Aman, Activist – public housing, safety & equity
Michael Brown, Activist – public safety
Bonnie Denis, Chair – Disabilities Commission
Howard Horton, Executive Director Cambridge College Global
Maggie Joseph, Social services and housing advocate
Tom Lamar, Advocate – biking, pedestrian safety for all users
Dr. Daniele Lantagne, Civil & Environmental Engineering, CDC Public Health Engineer, Advisor COVID to World Health Organization, Tufts University
Paula Magnelli, Co-founder Los Padres Latinos Somerville, Equity & Education advocate
Tony Pini, Legislative & Political Director Mass. & Northern N.E. Laborers
Gonzalo Puigbo, CEO, Somerville Community Corporation
Ellin Reiser, Board Member Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP)
Professor Juliette Rooney-Varga, Prof. of Environmental Science and Director Climate Change Initiative, UMass/Lowell
Letissia Scott, Education & housing advocate
Bill Shelton, Mystic View Task Force, Activist Economic Development
Larry Yu, Sustainability & Equity advocate
Renee Scott, Natural Open Space advocate
Ballantyne will be sworn in as Mayor at Inaugural Ceremonies on Monday, January 3, 2022.
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Where is the advocate/adviser for THE MOST pressing issue affecting all citizens WITHIN the city. RATS.
These are my “thought leaders”? Good to know. I always wondered where all these platitudes originated.
Missing are advisors for homeowners, motorists and taxpayers.
TheoNa, I also notice no mention of the business community and how best to support businesses in the city. Only in a twisted world do you see city leaders unwilling to help business grow in the the city. When more and more businesses close because of restrictive parking and impossible traffic issues they may learn.
It really does seem Katjana will only have activists and other special groups “advising” her. 17 voices in her ear pushing their agendas and not one supporting businesses and taxpayers.
I guess the revenue for the city appears by magic!