Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Well, it was crowded, heckled (not the best defense) and vocal at the podium as appx 100 congregated again at City Council. On Tuesday night, it seemed two issues caused reactions from the public, seemingly mostly taxpayers. One Councilwoman, Anna Callahan, had Agenda 24-059 – trying to create a conversation (beginning a bad end in sheep’s clothing) titled “Resolution to Create a Rental Registry” …..the City “has climate sustainability affordable housing, and other goals that would be easier to accomplish if we could reach either renters or landlords in our city, and…”

First and foremost, what does someone’s identity have to do with climate change?? Maybe this Councilwoman should work with the poor dears (meant sincerely)at the border breaking in with disease, no hygiene facilities while waiting for 2-3 days, no vaccines, lice, drugs, and hunger and Register them quicker so these effects do not spread to the neighbor states. The implication was if a tenant or a landlord is reported to have trash, bad grounds, loud behavior, etc. the City can reach them.

Well, we already pay some taxes and identities to the Census Dept and the forms, the Registrar of Voters, Assessors, CPA; this idea couples with a “rental licensing ordinance with efficiency standards…” Many disenchanted residents spoke – many new and long time landlords citing issues good/bad with tenants, not comfortable sending info on a tenant with NO details on Agneda–they do not have them yet…WHAT IS IT DOING ON AN AGENDA…oh, another episode of cat and mouse.

First, what makes a Registry with tenant information (maybe violating a privacy law depending on questions) guarantee reaching a tenant? or force them to respond? Second, as said, we already have efficient ways to gain info from residents in the City.

There are too many loops for me: the City of Lynn was brought up be the Councilwoman a few times – this is not Lynn with dissimilar problems. Council suggested also that our public podium time be limited to 3 minutes with a total of 90 mins. Yet, due to a meaningless “start of conversation” on the Agenda item, the poor Public had to hear from a few of Council stating they were “disappointed” with public response, and pressing that we learn part of the system…amounting ALL to 2+ hours!. It passsed! Whose system?

In my last article, I mentioned 6 members of our seven ran on A CARD AS A GROUP – mob mentality; same philosophy basically – ’cause I would not run a in a group who did not think as I think, would you? As a dole, handout Councilor Tseng asked that we plebeians receive 3 minutes. This whole Registry scenario took 2 hours of OUR time….we will get only 3 minutes.

How about the prevention of falls to discuss? There are numerous cases that victims collected from the City in the past few years. After my bad fall, by which I broke my 2 front teeth and damaged a knee, I received a ttl of $600 damages in compensation after I paid the Esthetic DMD and an orthopedist and a lawyer. VERY FEW SMALL ITEMS HAVE concentrated on a benefit to residents thus far in 2024.
worse, there were 17 cases that year and 1 year later that sidewalk was replaced. We want healthy movement…not a philosophic end to be fulfilled – most of what I observed in the past few months can lower home value, lower business and Realtor income and desire, comm development including Affordable! but,maybe, that is the goal…Wow,
all this leads to an influx of buyers who want cheaper homes!
Any which way, the Group – Our Revolution, will then gain their end of LOTS of Affordable apts and homes!

A big message from the Public and reflected on by Council especially George Sciarpelli is these Agenda items TAKE NEEDLESS time from the floor, Public, and the new Councilors DO NOT HEAR US. They passed it anyway…Apparently, after Collins and others said they hear us, THAT IS A LIE. Again, I say watch 2 Tuesday mtgs/month/CH 22/ 7PM or go to a meeting. You pay TAX for the seat either way HA
AT LEAST VOTE!!

Thank you for your time,
Sharon Deyeso, Longtime, Concerned Resident
Medford, MA