I decided to run for City Council on July 21 after considering the challenges facing Cambridge and the experience and skills I could contribute to solutions. I submitted two sets of papers on July 31, the filing deadline, and both were rejected. Other candidates were also denied their opportunity to serve the city, and the signatures of hundreds who signed these papers disregarded. We were not careful enough to fill out these forms properly, but did the process help us succeed or blame us? Louise Venden is not giving up and is running for Cambridge City Council as a write-in candidate.
Diversity in age, race, religion and wealth is our strength, because effective solutions will require thoughtful dialogue that invites all of us to the table and includes those willing to step up and run for office. Cambridge politics sometimes seems like an insider’s game, favoring incumbents who know the ropes. New voices will offer new solutions to meet urgent challenges and demand accountability.
Candidates must seek endorsements from one of the major established political action committees to have a chance of winning office. Organized groups here too often express their disagreements in hostile, exaggerated rhetoric. These tactics mimic national politics that have shut down effective government. To engage the broadest group of Cambridge residents, we must build bridges, not battle lines.
Despite enormous resources, Cambridge faces serious challenges; our institutions are threatened, federal funding dropping and residents losing their jobs. Pitting young against old, wealthy against poor people, West Cambridge residents vs. Cambridgeport dilutes the energy needed to get things done. Let’s make sure affordable housing gets built while respecting values held by longtime neighbors. Let’s make sure transportation is improved to reduce cars on our streets. Let’s make sure we fund priorities that serve our neediest residents. Let’s lower our voices and seek answers to inform solutions, not bicker about which side we’re on.
Louise Venden, Rogers Street, Cambridge
A stronger
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