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© 2021 The Somerville Times. All rights reserved.
By Courtney K. O’Keefe
(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)
We all have those words in our vocabulary that upon being spoken or heard ignites a level of anxiety that makes our bodies shutter and our hearts race. Mine is “appoint.” For those of you that may not know why, feel free to Google my name.
Since 2014, I have participated in the dialogue surrounding Union Square, representing Somerville Local First on the Civic Advisory Committee (2015) and becoming a Strategy Leader during the LOCUS process. After hours of meetings, we are now in the process of establishing bylaws for a Neighborhood Council. My major concern with the current proposal, is the allowance of specific Somerville organizations to appoint people to a council that will have a powerful voice and strong arm in the redevelopment of Union Square. I believe we can do better.
I, admittedly, have a sincere distrust in a particular activist group in Union Square and have positioned myself to take a stance that encourages deeper outreach to residents and businesses especially those that are unable to attend the numerous nightly meetings that are required to have these important conversations. When it comes to inclusion on a Neighborhood Council or discussion of a community benefits agreement, leaving the participants up to the choice of organizations that require membership for representation or have unclear financial interests is not fair to the hard-working residents that equally deserve a square that they can be proud of. Ideally, I would like the collective minds involved with this project to separate themselves from their admitted affiliations and aim at creating a unbiased Neighborhood Council.
The first articulated goal in SomerVision is to “engage community members in civic life and decision-making, seeking diverse representation and participation.” If our goal is to make Somerville a thriving innovation hub with an eclectic array of local businesses for all residents, we should ensure that the full community is represented on a Neighborhood Council and throughout the negotiation of any community benefits agreement.
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Just come out and say that you want to blackball Union United. Most residents won’t get all of this wink-wink insinuation about who you’re talking about.
There are a lot of people in Somerville who don’t believe “our goal is to make Somerville a thriving innovation hub”. Some of those people appreciate that Union United is a community rights group that’s not in the back pocket of the Mayor, and maybe represents different priorities.
If you want to attack them for not dancing to your tune, that’s your right. But come right out and put it on the table, rather than this rumor mongering stuff.
How many groups does union square need to put a shovel in the ground?!?
Old Somerville is being left out. I’m glad someone is sticking up for us.
I am happy someone finally said something about this group. They are intimidating at meetings.
The union united website states “We are working together to create a community benefits agreement – a contract we can sign with the master developer and the City that will create a diverse, sustainable, and equitable Union Square.” A contract they can sign? They sound worse than the mayor.
The parent organization for Union United is the Somerville Community Corporation who owns property in Union Square and many other parcels in Somerville bordering Medford. By definition they are a developer. They formed a coalition to push for a community benefits agreement (CBA) that they want three entities to sign 1.) US2 2.) City of Somerville 3.) Union United i.e. Somerville Community Corporation.
I don’t want anyone blackballed. I want inclusion for EVERYONE.
I’ve observed that Union United–who I gather you’re insinuating about here–has always practiced inclusiveness and fairness in their dealings.
They are not some transient power-mongers, either. They crafted their community-benefits agreements over time with input from much of the Union Square community.
And they truly are a community coalition of many facets from Union Square.
I suppose this is what happens anywhere there is gentrification. People want to convince us that it makes us better when it really doesn’t in the end.
All it convinces me is that many of us will no longer be able to afford to live here, and that those of us who’ve been here for decades will be “gentrified” out by those who consider themselves “innovators’.
Those who want “innovation” look down at us and say we’re behind the times because we complain. Someday they will be the ones complaining when the next generation does the same thing to them.
When improvements to any city mean that the current residents can actually benefit from the changes and afford to continue living there while still being an attractive place to others, then I’ll believe that gentrification is a good thing. I’m not holding my breath.
Gentrification? Courtney has lived here her whole life. She will be hammered in this column with UU’s paid commentators and meeting chair fillers.
I don’t understand, do you live in this Ward? Are you running for a seat? Shouldn’t the ward residents and neighbors have the most to say what happens, sinc they are the ones most impacted. This city for too long has been a good ok boys club, if I am correct that’s how you became alderman, when Sean stepped down the. Lost. I have always thought union square was going to be too big to handle the traffic and now move City hall there is crazy.
They included much of Union Square Somerbreeze?? Where are you blowing around these days?? Union United listen to those who speak their language and ignore those who dont.
@ Somerwhat – I live in Union Square, and I know what I hear and see. And Union United gets plenty of kudos for their inclusivity. And UU has plenty of members from different walks of life in Somerville.
And for those of you trumpeting about SCC being the “parent member,” as I understand it, SCC is just one of many members in the organization.
I don’t know which rumor mill you subscribe to, but it sounds pretty creaky to me.
Union United has dominated numerous attempts to get local residents involved in Union Square planning, forcing the agenda at public meetings back to their main concerns, namely more funding for SCC, and requiring union construction labor. Both of these are valid topics for discussion, but UU has been unwilling or unable to balance their interests with the larger communities.
@ UnionSquareOldTimer – “…their main concerns, namely more funding for SCC….”
Total baloney, USOT. Have you ever attended one of their own meetings?
Let me repeat–SCC is one of the organizational members of UU, period. Union United is not a stalking horse for SCC.
Now why don’t you come out and tell us about your own vested interests?
Thanks Courtney O’Keefe for being vocal on this issue and speaking up for many who, between raising kids and working, don’t have time to make it to multiple meetings.
At the rate Union Sq. is going, it won’t really function as a neighborhood the way people are used to. It will have many establishments that sell “artisanal” stuff frequented by transient millennials, but I sense a growing sterility as older businesses are replaced with new higher end establishments.
The SCC lost me when they attacked the people in the neighborhood who had concerns about the development at the old funeral home. They called them racist and brought protesters to planning board meetings. It was really arrogant, self rightous, and ugly to watch. We need more affordable housing, but I wish Somerville had other options
The coordinator of UU is an SCC staff member.
Did you people read the column?! She is asking for everyone to be included especially longtime residents.
No, I am not running for a seat. I made that decision on Tuesday July 26, 2016 at 3:00 a.m.
Its about time someone spoke up about this group.
The similarities between the union united campaign and the donald trump campaign are disturbing.
Both are based in stirring up distrust among people and fear that the “real” citizens are being taken over by some scary “other” people.
Both endlessly repeat slogans and avoid facts and don’t have any real ideas to address what they talk about. After however many years union united has been around I would like to hear one real thing they have done other than take over meetings with their endless complaining without any solutions.
Both have major financial conflicts of interest they try and sweep under the rug.
@ Frankly – That kind of scurrilous bombast is downright disgusting.
To compare Union United to the Trump campaign is utterly outrageous and absurd, full of lies and innuendo.
It seems you are part and parcel of this smear campaign against Union United. I see your game and see your agenda. The truth will out.
Shame on you.
Hi folks! My non-profit org — Parts and Crafts — is a member of Union United, as is SCC, CAAS, the Welcome Project, Teen Empowerment, Ruby Rodgers, Groundwork Somerville, Ebi Sushi, and Ricky’s Flower Market, among many others. We’ve actually reached out to Courtney and Somerville Local First — and will continue to do so! — to try to make sure that small businesses get a fair shake along with co-working spaces and Tier II type businesses (i.e. start-ups).
We’re excited about the Neighborhood Council, which is currently the main venue where a lot of this stuff is getting hashed out. It’s challenging at times! But tentatively at least, it’s a venue where a wide swath of groups — Union United among many others — are coming together to try to hammer out some solutions. More importantly, it’s a forum where groups with divergent interests are making a commitment to try to work with each other.
As always, the best way to influence that process is to get involved!
If you have questions and want to find out for yourself 1) what’s going on and 2) if it really is as bad as they all say, come to a meeting and find out! The next Neighborhood Council meeting is Saturday February 11 from at the Public Works building from 9-12 am. Union United meetings are on the first Thursday of every month from 6-8 pm at St. Joe’s Church in Union Square. Everyone — I repeat, EVERYONE — is welcome.
Lastly, if you’d like to ask me about what I do, or why I’ve decided to commit a lot of time to this process — just me personally, as a friend and neighbor — please email me! katie@partsandcrafts.org. I will happily sit down with ANYONE for coffee, and my door is always open.
By which I mean, Public Safety building.
Don’t go to 1 Franey Street unless you want to hang out with ISD and fire inspectors. Who are AWESOME!!! shout-out to the good men and women who keep us in compliance. <3 Neighborhood Council meeting is next Saturday at the Public Safety building in Union Square.
I was told that people associated with this neighborhood council process have left because of union united. Is this true?
We will reach out…
Sign a cba with us…
Sounds like a bunch of control freaks.
No one that I know of has left the Union Square Neighborhood Council Working Group process because of Union United or any other group. As someone who has gone to the recent Neighborhood Council working group meetings and has tried to help make it a reality, there is a lively debate between all members of the community. The meetings are open to any and all stakeholders. It is a very difficult process to establish such a group. Because they want as many people who live and work in Union Square as possible involved, there will inevitably be some conflict and requirements for compromise.
Instead of anonymously name-calling people online, I suggest anyone who wants to get involved to go to the meeting, express their concerns, and make their voice heard.
Two people expressed concern over UU wanting control of the process. One left at the meeting last week.
The comment that I most resonate with in this thread is that Old Somerville has not been involved in the various process that are setting policy for what Union Square will be in the future.
I have been a regular participant in meetings over the last couple of months of folks who are working to form a Neighborhood Council. While I believe those participating sincerely want to influence development so as to benefit all who live and work here, I’m continually struck by how few of them were born and raised here.
The people who built the city that is now so attractive to outsiders have wisdom and experience to contribute to this conversation. I would encourage all to participate. The next meeting begins Saturday, 9:00 AM, and the Academy Room of the Somerville Police Department HQ.
Let me know how the séance with the previous outsiders goes.
Seance is the only way UU would lessen themselves to speak with anyone outside their circle.