People I have known for decades as strong progressives who believed in social justice have turned into anti-development fanatics who can’t see beyond their own rhetoric. Change is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be corrosive.

We need a City Council dominated by pragmatists rather than ideologues. Derek Kopon is a scientist and bases his professional life on data – but realizes not all human will agree on the data, and that the most effective progress is made through consensus.

Some seem to believe that if we stop building here, Cambridge’s housing crisis will go away. But we don’t live in a bubble. Freezing Cambridge’s housing stock is fine only for those who are secure in their housing – homeowners and the wealthy.

Bernette Dawson is committed to holding the highest standards of academic excellence for all students, dismantling racial inequity, advocating for marginalized students and families, launching universal pre-K and adding “hearts and hands” in the classroom.

City Council candidate Burhan Azeem has encountered xenophobic comments on Facebook ads run by his campaign and at the doors of voters during canvassing sessions. Creepy behavior and sexism have been reported by other City Council candidates.

Williams has pushed hard for programs that will protect people and small businesses at risk of being priced out of the city, believes in diversity of all kinds and has resisted poorly thought out programs such as the Affordable Housing Overlay.

Candidates for School Committee faced their first test Friday – a mock election at the high school that used ranked voting and included a hand count of roughly 1,000 ballots.

Ninth-grade history teachers at Cambridge Rindge and Latin developed an opening unit on local democracy, confident their young learners would become some of the most informed (non)voters in the city.

The Cambridge Citizens Coalition has selected a slate of impressive candidates representing diverse viewpoints, demographics, renters and owners, and districts, and whose members agree with the need to get big money out of city policy.

I have worked to give back to my community in every way I can. I have run blood drives, worked as an EMT and volunteered at the local prison. I hope I can continue my service as your next city councillor.