Friends, Mother Nature it seems has other ideas for February 9th. I have been overwhelmed with mailings and responses to my Event. Thank you all so very much! Please mark your calendars for Monday, March 2nd – same place and time. Hopefully by then we will all be shoveled out! Be safe everyone, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mary Jo

Monday, March 2nd 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tony C’s Sports Bar & Grill Assembly Row

Friends and Fellow Taxpayers, As my first year serving you comes to a close, I want to express my gratitude for your confidence in electing me as one of your Aldermen-At-Large. Please know I was and continue to be appreciative of your help and support, even if I forgot to tell you so. Over the past year we have seen momentous change in our community: the opening of Assembly Row and activation of the Orange Line stop, the first new stop in the state in over 25 years; the commitment to $1 billion for Green Line funding; Union Square Revitalization Project; Community Preservation Act Projects; increasing accountability of our absentee landlords and short-term college student renters; and many more. This is not easy work, but with your support, guidance, and thoughtful opinions, TOGETHER we are working to make our community better, stronger, and more sustainable. It has been an honor to Chair the Legislative Matters Committee and to lead the effort of implementing and/or amending our city’s Ordinances, the laws by which we live, work and play. As the daughter / granddaughter of former Somerville firefighters, serving on the Public Health and Safety Committee, supporting our Police and Fire Departments and other vital matters has been particularly special for me. Lastly, having served 14 years on the School Committee, chairing the BOA’s Youth Services Committee allowed me to carry over my commitment, as I continue to be a leader for today’s youth and tomorrow’s future leaders. A lot has been accomplished, but a lot has yet to be achieved. As I embark on my second year, the new Zoning Ordinance as proposed by the Administration without doubt will be a critical conversation and ultimate decision that will impact our future. Please know I shall continue to advocate for fair, adequate and equitable housing for ALL. I will listen to your thoughts on decreased parking policies, increased commercial space, and areas of our community now to be potentially identified as residential – commercial – arts – and or multi-use zones. I remain proud to be a leader in a community that continues to exemplify efforts we rate at the top of our matrix: by not playing individuals off against each other, by standing up for programs and services when others would force us to cut back, and by giving advocacy a good name using it in the best interests of children, families and our seniors. It is also reassuring to know that I am surrounded by friends like yourself who share these values. I have been told I am bold with iron will and determination. Being influential is a huge responsibility. People follow people, they don’t follow a strategic plan. Successful leaders make the most of resources and assets at hand. I thank YOU for being my personal asset this past year. With your engaged citizenship, TOGETHER we have been quite the team. I would consider it an honor to continue to represent you for another term. To make this a reality, I humbly ask for your support. Whether you can volunteer time or make a financial donation, your attendance to this event would mean the world to me. Please join me and my family
Monday, March 2nd 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tony C’s Sports Bar & Grill Assembly Row