Dear Billy and Somerville Speak Up Line:
So far he’s managed to make his friends wealthy at the cost and ruined lives of good people and honest business owners.
If you don’t know the back story of the following feel free to ask– I’m sure a number of residents know the real story and lots are here to answer–
IKEA
Assembly Row partnerships
Partners Healthcare- free parking garage donated by mayor for 10,000 relocated employees of Boston- no jobs for Somerville residents– $400 billion rich corporation non-profit pays a $200k in lieu of taxes to the City of Somerville while residents continue to pay triple tax hikes and water/sewer.
3 Aldermen who resigned abruptly some years ago
Cedar Street Condo Debacle- zoning changes from commercial to residential under the radar
Former Alderman lawyer turned consultant to Assembly Row also represents clients at zoning, planning boards which are always approved- by political insiders. Anyone else is outta luck.
Wrongfully accused SHS soccer player – seriously disturbing hazing incident at soccer camp leaving two minors injured. According to one employee, “City employees who attended were threatened with job loss if they spoke about events at camp”. The lawyer of wrongfully accused, tells the Boston Globe, “Witness accounts of employees at camp shared conflicting stories”. Parents of wrongfully accused SHS soccer player sue the mayor and city for $2 million.
$500k taxpayer obligation suing Wynn Casino for 4 years over pollution and boat crowding on mystic river while mayor increases traffic throughout the city from overdevelopment and building more condos at Assembly Row. Rumor of low income high rising housing units behind Assembly Row has been contested but not off the table. One former state rep complained this would create unsafe living conditions for occupants due to its isolated location and possibly criminal activity due to poor visibility.
Rt. 93 protest leaving motorists in a 5 hour traffic jam while an ambulance is stranded with a man needing urgent medical attention. Student protesters were from Brookline. Mayor gets more 5 minutes of fame clips for his political aspirations and media happy to oblige.
Crumbling facade former social security office in Davis Sq., more media attention and more business owners go to court so Brookline Grocer can move in with the help from former alderman of W6 and resident of Brookline.
Zoning changes implemented by mayor and planning in order to free up more condo development while encroaching on long time residents, blocking light, taking private land for shady developers, lots of underhanded tactics leaving homeowners broke from paying for legal representation. EPA called in in some cases such as punctured underground gas tanks filling surrounding homes with gas fumes. (Davis Sq., former VFW Summer St. Site)
279 Union Sq. Residents sue over illegal use of eminent domain. Evictions have taken place many homeowners forced to settle on 20% of value–($200k– vs. $1,000,000.00 true value)
Some crimes continue to remain unreported like a drug dealer paying cash for a home – (told to me by a family member of a city employee who was at the scene of the fire).
Feel free to add other stores you know.
Thank you,
Judy Locchi Jacobs