Matt Nelson Home address: Contact information: website: www.votemattnelson.com e-mail: info@votemattnelson.org Matt Nelson on Twitter @mattynels1 Send contributions to: or via ActBlue at: |
|
Background: Over the last 6 years, I have dedicated my professional life to progressive electoral campaigns at the state and local levels and to leading grassroots campaigns working to affect change. I look forward to building on these experiences as I run as a candidate myself. Cambridge is a unique place and has shown time and again that it truly is a model city. We are a diverse city with a history of innovation. We are the city of cooperative day care, cooperative housing and cooperative food markets. We should be a city that continues to strive for cooperative government with active voters, and policy makers who tirelessly seek out participation. I see the role of City Councillor as both a community organizer as well as policy maker. An active citizenry is critical for responsive and effective government. As an organizer I look forward to having the opportunity to work with you as we bring our neighborhoods together to build a better Cambridge. In a community every individual has an important role to play. My aim is to have my City Council campaign serve as a platform for broadening this sort of civic engagement. My hope is that along the way I will have earned your #1 vote. Organizing Experience
Other Local Experience
Education
Civic Participation & Community Engagement To boost voter turnout and participation in the policy making process we need to create more ways to connect to our residents. City Councillor = Grassroots Organizer: As a City Councillor I will do everything to include all interested parties in the policy making process. I will always encourage public comment and resident participation in government. I hope to inspire residents to take an active role in Cambridge Government and their communities. Publicize what is happening in Cambridge: There is so much going on in this city and the more people who take part in the fairs, festivals, markets, and community events the more engaged our residents will be. As a City Councillor I will advocate for the continued success of Cambridge's community events, and promote community service opportunities on the website and in other media outlets. Empower our Youth: We need to include our young people in the policy making process. Time and again I hear complaints of how young people don't vote. A major reason for this is because they are left out of the governing process. Let us bring our young people to the table. I am in favor of "pre-registration" making it easier for 16 and 17 year olds to register to vote on their 18th birthday. I also will actively seek out our youth for their input and ideas in the policy making process. Bring Policy Making to the Community: Too many committee meetings happen during "normal" work hours and most of them are held at City Hall. Committee meetings should be held at more convenient times for our residents and should take place in our neighborhoods, not just at City Hall. I also believe it is the responsibility of the City Council to actively seek out participation for meetings. We shouldn't just set the date and time we should fill the seats as well! Enhancing our Quality of Life Rats: In Cambridge, certain neighborhoods have had continual problems with rodents. We need stronger enforcement of road construction sites. No neighborhood should be neglected when it comes to baiting our sewers and catch basins. We need to continue to educate property owners, business owners, and residents about how to dispose of waste safely and cleanly. Library: We need to make sure that our library hours reflect the needs of the community. The main library has become the new city center and I advocate for longer Sunday hours during the school year and for keeping it open seven days a week year round. Cambridge's Youth Sustainable Cambridge Transportation The Grand Junction Railroad Pedestrian Friendly Squares Elections
Plan E City Manager Under Healy's leadership, Cambridge continues to provide high quality city services while keeping property taxes relatively low. Cambridge has weathered an economic storm, keeping quality of life a top priority. The fact that Cambridge is in this position is a credit to City Manager Healy's and his leadership. I also believe, as leaders we should constantly adapt and learn from situations. That is a standard I hold myself to, and is one I expect that my colleagues on the council and the City Manager would adhere to as well. CCTV Candidate Video (2011) |
|
Page last updated Saturday, February 16, 2013 5:45 PM | Cambridge Candidates |