An extra $450,000 in unanticipated legal costs? Budget request feels wrong for several reasons
Any resident could reasonably wonder why the council is being asked to set aside nearly a half-million dollars in additional funds for a 13-person law department already budgeted for around $3 million. The city’s bad judgment means some of the money is going to frivolous purposes.
There’s a shadow over boutique hotel proposal: Bad process for affordable housing neighbors
A proposed boutique hotel addition in Central Square will cast overshadow its neighboring building of affordable housing – exactly what the previous owners of the building complained was going to be done to them, leading to fewer units.
Neighborhood groups write to oppose order interposing city government into their work
It is important that neighborhood groups be independent of the city, as we sometimes represent our members against them. We act in the best traditions of our First Amendment rights. It is problematic that the policy order claims the city has the right to tell us specifically how to do so.
So it’s an order ‘of this magnitude at this hour’? Let’s think about that for a moment, councillor
A week ago, as he killed conversation about proposed legislation, city councillor Tim Toomey explained: “A policy order of this magnitude at this hour, I just cannot support it.” Let’s scrutinize that.
Empty lot that’s meant for affordable housing full of meaning for who’s worthy of its homes
The entire city should look forward to the conversation around an empty lot at 35 Cherry St. in The Port neighborhood, which has been targeted for a conversation about what kind of affordable housing it will become. It represents progress in a dialogue that has seen none since May 2016.
School district’s work around virtual learning has been good; we need more if we’re to thrive
Remote learning has been an uncertain time for all of us, and the school district has addressed its students’ needs in a thorough, holistic manner. Despite this, there are issues that remain and must be confronted, as well as some challenges that are simply inherent to remote learning.
Election disappointment actually an advantage
Even now, with so much of this federal election outcome in doubt and reflective of a deeply split nation, it was a good election for a strange reason.
Coalition: This is the time to Move Your Money into small banks that care about the community
For decades, we have entrusted too much of our money to a handful of really big banks that hold power over our communities without giving back, regularly practicing unethical and biased lending practices and catering disproportionately to big, not small, businesses. We have to move our money.
As restaurant heat lamps spring up citywide, consider why they can’t in your own backyard
The Cambridge Fire Department is at it again: Citing laws and authorities that will leave you wondering if its leadership even understands what laws are, or how to use them.
Committee took an important step toward where we’re headed: Public access always
In the sounds-boring-but-it’s-important category, the School Committee decided this month to televise all of its subcommittee meetings – a motion it passed without discussion.
