The committee will have a range of issues to address, including contract negotiations, finding ways to address learning loss that occurred during the pandemic, addressing racial and economic inequalities and ensuring all students are academically challenged and have the resources they need.

A former Trump supporter challenges the mayor, a budding politician and a high school teacher compete in Ward 5, a shut-in attorney faces a phone-happy council veteran for a race that will decide what it means to be city councilor in Ward 6, and two obscure candidates challenge council powerhouses.

One topic that has not received much attention this election cycle is the city’s finances – one of the city’s strengths and one that should not be overlooked or taken for granted.

We need our solidarity back. Diversity will not hold without it. Equality starts with it. As a city, we will need to transcend cultural and political boundaries.

The Cambridge Citywide Senior Center ballroom was packed Oct. 24 as more than 100 residents came to hear candidates for City Council answer questions about how they would address climate change on a local level.

I have a deep and abiding faith in Cambridge voters that they will choose continued progress toward justice and stand against bigotry, hate and inequity. Cambridge is an amazing community and deserves to be governed by a diverse representation of its people.

Yes, more data would be great, as would more years of comparable counts. But Cambridge has been collecting bicycle data for more than 20 years, and a new report shows undeniable trends we need to keep improving.

Voting is a profound privilege and beautiful opportunity to be heard. Sadly, in Cambridge, only about 30 percent of the voting population actually cast ballots.

Whether I and others – parents, kids, new riders – will be able to continue to get around Cambridge safely depends on the upcoming City Council election. 

Completing our bike lane network will mean fewer cars during rush hour, less carbon burned and more people who can be active every day because Cambridge has prioritized making a choice available to people of all ages and abilities.