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Jacob Kramer, a member of the Union Square Neighborhood Council’s Board of Directors, spoke at the organization’s public hearing on July 9. ~Photo by Shira Laucharoen
By Shira Laucharoen
The Union Square Neighborhood Council (USNC) achieved designation by the city as the neighborhood council for the Union Square area on July 9. The public hearing was held at the City Hall Board of Aldermen Chambers, where members of the USNC presented on the topic and were formally recognized, after a deliberation process took place.
The designated council will be responsible for negotiating a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with the Union Square Master Developer, Union Square Station Associates (US2), as well as serving as a voice for the community. A CBA is a private contract between a developer and community representatives, outlining the benefits the developer will offer the community in exchange for support of the project. As members of USNC explained, there is currently no agreement between the Union Square community and US2.
Public testimonies in response to the presentation were overwhelmingly positive, as one individual stated, “We need this kind of broad-based community participation in order for anything equitable to be developed.” Other testifiers expressed how the designation would fulfill a need for a diverse and representative body to speak on behalf of Union Square in negotiations with developers.
The USNC began as a Working Group and evolved into an elected board of 15 with a membership of over 700. According to the USNC, its mission is to “shape the future of Union Square as an increasingly inclusive and vibrant neighborhood and commercial center…” Its communication work so far has included opening a dialog with US2 and meeting with Bow Street and Boynton Yards developers.
The group has also sent letters on the subjects of student walkouts and tree removal. The USNC demonstrated that it has met city designation requirements, by being an “open, inclusive, and duly democratic non-profit organization,” fulfilling a corporate purpose, conducting outreach, and upholding ethical standards.
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FAKE NEWS ALERT! This reads like a sixth grade essay or a propaganda piece from our revolution. They do not represent the community and do not have a membership of 700. 700 is how many voted in their silly little election. I voted and am not a member. I went to one meeting with my neighbor and we walked out after an hour. They spent the whole time talking about procedure that anyone with any experience in an organization would address in 5 minutes.
Diverse? I don’t think so. It’s a bunch of upper middle class white kids who have lots of degrees and are too wealthy to have to work a regular job and too dumb for anyone to hire them to be responsible for anything. But they still feel like they are entitled to be in charge of something so they invent this group, get a bunch of “likes” and convince their friends the new aldermen to designate them. Don’t hold your breath for this council to do anything other than screw things up.
Cute. Any time a comment starts with “FAKE NEWS ALERT!” you can bet your bottom dollar that what follows is fake news. In this case, a difference of opinion constitutes the so-called “fake news”. Silly and really getting old. Wise up. We’re on to you.
Incorrect, Casimir. The ‘real’ community members who’ve worked so hard over the last 10-20 years at building a strong inclusive community know the truth. The only people who are buying this council’s crap are not well engaged; and/or have not lived in Somerville long enough to know any better. Anyone with half a brain knows this group is a complete and utter joke. Much like the wacko in the White House, the USNC believes if they continue to publicly put a positive spin on their efforts everything will be fine and dandy. Wrong! The neighbors of Ward 3 know they got hoodwinked by Ewen-Campen and his crew of white privilege. Say what you will, but there are a lot of pissed off people who will make their feelings known next election. Better get your popcorn ready because things are going to get real nasty.
JK nailed it, the USNC is made up of wealthy white kids of privilege who would have never thought of moving to Union Square 20, or even 10 years ago when it was not so cool and hip. This council led by “Mr. Poet” himself is a complete laughingstock. At the end of the day, it does not really matter because this bunch of elite white breads will be gone in a few years. Off to enjoy the diversity of places like Newton, Wellsley, Weston.
USNC, you do know you’re fighting for what amounts to crumbs and it’s almost certain you’re going to totally screw-up the little bit in Community Benefits US2 does throw you. Enjoy your time in the limelight, it will soon be over. The white guilt of their fortunate upbringing must eat away at the souls of B.B., J.B., B.B., M.F., J.K., P.T. and R.W..
LOL. At least you didn’t start off with “FAKE NEWS ALERT!”
Real community benefits are permanent infrastructure that exist beyond when any of us live here – things that the entire community can use. The park location US2 proposed with city input is a good idea. It’s farther away from Lincoln Park, which is great. A public gathering/performance space would be nice. Burying overhead wires or making contributions toward a municipal high-speed network – if we go that direction – would be big wins.
Job training funds tend to be a waste of money. It devotes a slush fund to helping an extremely limited number of people. I’d prefer to see a focus on how to attract and sustain locally owned and operated businesses. That’s going to be the big issue in Union Square when it gets built out. Will we retain a local feel or will we be a glorified mall?
I have lived in Somerville since 2006, although my family moved to Somerville in 1970 and are typical Irish/French-Canadian working class people. Our Revolution Somerville are very active and very vocal. But I don’t think their views – ultra-progressive – represent the average voter in Somerville. The problem with meetings being scheduled at 5-6 P.M. during the week is that only certain people can get to the meetings. People who work long hours, nights, or overnights and/or have childcare issues often cannot attend in person. Our Revolution does seem to be made up of white, middle class, degree holding, childless, political activist types, who have moved to Somerville from somewhere else. I consider myself a liberal and would never vote Republican on a national level. But I am pretty suspicious of their motives. Remember they wanted the transfer tax to be paid with as few exemptions as possible. Even owner occupiers. I would bet most of them are renters.