Jefferson Smith
2013 Candidate for Cambridge City Council

Home address:
134 Tremont St., Apt 2
Cambridge, MA 02139

Contact information:
Tel: 617-453-8115
website: jeffersonrsmith.com
e-mail: Jefferson@jeffersonrsmith.com
Facebook: facebook.com/electjefferson
Twitter: @JeffersonRSmith

Send contributions to:
Committee to Elect Jefferson R. Smith
202 Bonham Rd, Dedham, MA 02026

Proudly serving for the past five years in Gov. Deval Patrick’s administration, I sincerely believe that I have the experience and the expertise to help lead the way toward meaningful solutions to the important issues that face Cambridge.

I strongly believe that we need to make Cambridge more affordable for people of all income levels.  I believe that improving our transportation and infrastructure will make Cambridge a leader in public transit and ultimately protect our environment. And I believe that progressive values and exceptional public service can produce programs that work for residents, not work around them.

Affordability & Smart Development
We all know someone who has moved out of Cambridge because of high prices. We need housing options that will allow residents to live, work and raise their children here regardless of income levels. We also need a balanced approach to development in the city that will help maintain Cambridge's leadership role in the innovation and research economy, while preserving the character of our neighborhoods. I believe that we can do so by leveraging ongoing economic development to create housing stock that is affordable and available for everyone.

I have called for a true community visioning process in Cambridge that will help guide transportation and land use for years to come. Our residents must be included in the process to ensure the type of growth not only celebrates the individual identity of our residents, but also makes room for sustainable commercial development. Our city needs a truly comprehensive Master Plan that provides residents, developers, and businesses with a sensible, coordinated and long term view of future of Cambridge.

Universal Child Care
The time has come for the City of Cambridge to implement a Universal Child Care System. My primary concern as a resident and as a Candidate for City Council is making Cambridge more affordable.

However, affordability does not simply depend on the housing and rental markets, nor can development or zoning provide all the answers. We must also look at reducing fixed costs for struggling families and investing in Universal Child Care in Cambridge will help ease the burden of skyrocketing prices. My editorial more fully describes the background and the need for a system of universal child care and can be found here http://www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/x1803298980/CANDIDATE-COLUMN-Time-for-Cambridge-to-implement-universal-childcare ]

Education
We need a strong Early Education system in Cambridge and we must commit to making a significant investment in these programs. Research shows that a child’s academic success is influenced within the first few years of their life and Jefferson is dedicated fully funding these programs in our school system. Jefferson is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, where he has taught public policy, and understands first-hand the need for an affordable and high-quality curriculum in our schools.

The combination of a fully-funded early education system and a universal child care program will ensure that our children receive the best and continuous preparation they need to succeed.

Neighborhood Advocacy
As Chair of the Cambridge Democrats, I have the experience in community building and the needed expertise it takes to be a hardworking neighborhood advocate. A pragmatic progressive, I want to ensure that the residents of Cambridge know and trust that the City Council will address their concerns, no matter how simple or complex, with care and in a transparent and efficient manner.

My commitment to progressive values and issues is proven by my experience in community building and organizing activists throughout Cambridge to help elect Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey. I am also proud to be named as a Commissioner on the Jobs Creation Committee, a Cambridge-led innovation to create and maintain quality jobs throughout the Commonwealth.

Improving Transportation & Infrastructure
I bring a unique background in transportation and public policy that will make a strong addition to the City Council. I believe that my expertise in leading collaborative efforts to design effective and innovative reforms is not only what the City Council needs but also what the city of Cambridge and our residents deserve.

I played an integral role in many of the reforms within the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) that consolidated operations and helped achieve over $100 million in cost savings and efficiencies.

I am also the author of many significant reforms, including the first in the nation Healthy Transportation Compact focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing bicycle and pedestrian travel, improving public health and building stronger communities.

Open Space, Parks, and Recreation
A longtime resident of Inman Square, right on Tremont Street, I know only too well the lack of public open space and I also know how important access to open spaces is to neighborhoods and communities.

I strongly support increasing open spaces and expanding their potential uses. We need to be sensitive to the needs of all residents, including pet owners, so that our city is not only a place to work but also a place for recreation.

Quality of Life and Public Safety
Making Cambridge more affordable will increase both the quality of life and the safety that our residents enjoy. We should be encouraging more connected communities and bringing neighborhoods together because being safe depends just as much on our sense of community and connectedness, just as much as it depends on public law enforcement.

As the former Research Director for the Committee on Public Safety at the State House, I do not believe that the recent Police Department proposal to increase video surveillance provides the safety that we hope to achieve. Rather, I strongly believe that there is a difference between security and surveillance. We can increase public safety through greater collaboration and coordination with local law enforcement efforts, local businesses and neighborhood communities without having to create or impose ambiguous surveillance standards. Cambridge is only beginning to consider these issues, and I don’t want to see the conversation end any time soon. Therefore, I have called for a more inclusive public process about the security camera proposal and will advocate for limited use of these cameras.

Vision for Central Square over the Next Decade
The issues facing Central Square are emblematic of the issues facing the city of Cambridge and I am committed to finding smart and sensitive solutions that will increase affordability, protect small and local businesses, and increase access to public transit.

Central Square is a crucial economic and cultural hub for Cambridge; we cannot afford to lose the characteristics of Central but we must find an equitable balance between the inevitable development needs and the needs of the community.

I believe that over the short- and long-term Cambridge should leverage the opportunities offered by any development proposal to increase affordable housing stock, make transit oriented development a priority and grow Central Square into an affordable, safe and viable area.

Biography
Jefferson R. Smith is a proactive and pragmatic political activist with the experience and the expertise it will take to make a difference in Cambridge. Dedicated to public service throughout his career, Jefferson worked tirelessly in Gov. Deval Patrick's administration for nearly five years to bring the necessary funding and improvements to our transportation system. Jefferson’s track record of political activism for progressive issues establishes him as a strong advocate for all.

With his deep knowledge of public policy, Jefferson played an integral role in many of the reforms within the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) that consolidated operations. Ultimately, his diligent work helped achieved over $100 million in cost savings and efficiencies.

Jefferson was the author of many significant reforms at MassDOT, including the first in the nation Healthy Transportation Compact. Part of the landmark Transportation Reform Act of 2009, the Compact focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing bicycle and pedestrian travel, improving public health and building stronger communities.

A Cambridge resident for over a decade, Jefferson led the Cambridge Democrats as Chair of the City Committee and organized activists throughout Cambridge to help elect Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey.

Jefferson was also the MassDOT designated Commissioner on the Jobs Creation Committee, a Cambridge-led innovation to create and maintain quality jobs in the Commonwealth.

Jefferson recognizes the essential relationship between housing and commercial development in Cambridge. As a result, Jefferson has been a strong advocate for a balanced approach to development in the city that will help maintain Cambridge's leadership role in the innovation and research economy, while preserving the character of our neighborhoods and creating housing for residents at every income level.

An environmentalist and a Member of the Board of Directors of MassRecycle, Jefferson has worked to advance environmental policies such as waste reduction and the Updated Bottle Bill.

A proud product of public schools, Jefferson is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, where he teaches public policy.

Jefferson was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, attended Tewksbury Memorial High School and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Jefferson also holds a Master's in Public Administration as well as a Master's in Political Science from Suffolk University. He lives in Inman Square with his girlfriend Anna.

Previous Statements:
Issues in Brief
I'm a candidate in this race because I am a progressive activist with the experience and determination it will take to make a difference in Cambridge. I have served for the past 5 years in Gov. Deval Patrick's Administration and I have worked tirelessly to bring a proactive approach to public service.

I believe strongly that we need to make Cambridge more affordable for people at all income levels. I believe that improving our transportation and infrastructure will make Cambridge a leader in public transit and ultimately protect our environment. And I believe that progressive values and exceptional public service can produce programs that work for residents, not work around them.

Housing Equity & Smart Development

We all know someone who has moved out of Cambridge because of high prices. We need housing options that will allow residents to live, work and raise their children here regardless of income levels. We also need a balanced approach to development in the city that will help maintain Cambridge's leadership role in the innovation and research economy, while preserving the character of our neighborhoods.

Progressive Action

I have a track record of political activism for progressive issues, most recently as the Chair of the Cambridge Democrats. I have experience in community building and organizing activists throughout Cambridge to help elect Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey. I am also proud to be named as a Commissioner on the Jobs Creation Committee, a Cambridge-led innovation to create and maintain quality jobs throughout the Commonwealth.

Improving Transportation & Infrastructure

I played an integral role in many of the reforms within the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) that consolidated operations and helped achieve over $100 million in cost savings and efficiencies.

I am also the author of many significant reforms, including the first in the nation Healthy Transportation Compact focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing bicycle and pedestrian travel, improving public health and building stronger communities.

I know we can make a difference in Cambridge. I hope you will join me.

Biography

Jefferson R. Smith is a progressive activist with the experience and the energy it will take to make a difference in Cambridge. Dedicated to public service throughout his career, Jefferson worked tirelessly in Gov. Deval Patrick's administration for nearly five years to bring the necessary funding and improvements to our transportation system. Jefferson also has a track record of political activism for progressive issues.

With his deep knowledge of public policy, Jefferson played an integral role in many of the reforms within the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) that consolidated operations. Ultimately, his diligent work helped achieved over $100 million in cost savings and efficiencies.

Jefferson was the author of many significant reforms at MassDOT, including the first in the nation Healthy Transportation Compact. Part of the landmark Transportation Reform Act of 2009, the Compact focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing bicycle and pedestrian travel, improving public health and building stronger communities.

A Cambridge resident for over a decade, Jefferson led the Cambridge Democrats as Chair of the City Committee and organized activists throughout Cambridge to help elect Gov. Deval Patrick, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Senator Ed Markey.

Jefferson was also the MassDOT designated Commissioner on the Jobs Creation Committee, a Cambridge-led innovation to create and maintain quality jobs in the Commonwealth.

Jefferson recognizes the essential relationship between housing and commercial development in Cambridge. As a result, Jefferson has been a strong advocate for a balanced approach to development in the city that will help maintain Cambridge's leadership role in the innovation and research economy, while preserving the character of our neighborhoods and creating housing for residents at every income level.

An environmentalist and a Member of the Board of Directors of MassRecycle, Jefferson has worked to advance environmental policies such as waste reduction and the Updated Bottle Bill.

A proud product of public schools, Jefferson is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, where he teaches public policy.

Jefferson was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, attended Tewksbury Memorial High School and graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Jefferson also holds a Master's in Public Administration as well as a Master's in Political Science from Suffolk University. He lives in Inman Square with his girlfriend Anna.

Jefferson Smith 2013 Candidate Profile - Cambridge Chronicle

   CCTV candidate video (2013)