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Tim Toomey Home address: Headquarters: Contact information: Send contributions to: |
Introduction: Priorities:
Community and Open Space
Economic Development
Social Justice
Constituent Services
Housing/Affordable Housing While there are undoubtedly regional forces driving housing prices in Cambridge, our city's leaders must continue to step up on behalf of low and middle income residents. There are measures we can take and opportunities we can leverage at the local level that will make a difference for those who are in need now. The Affordable Housing Trust must aggressively pursue properties in every Cambridge neighborhood that can be converted into affordable housing. Year after year, opportunities to build affordable units in the most exclusive Cambridge neighborhoods are turned down for dubious reasons. Our city's low and middle income residents can't make excuses when they aren't able to afford their next rent payment. Our leaders shouldn't make excuses either. I have introduced a council order that would require that the City Manager confer with Lesley University and the Harvard Divinity School about using a site in Harvard Square for affordable housing. The City needs to continue to take bold steps to ensure affordable housing is available throughout all neighborhoods, particularly those with strong public transit infrastructure and availability of jobs and educational opportunities. I have sponsored a transfer fee of 1% on all real estate transactions over $2.5-million and an additional 4% of amounts over $5-million. I believe that this is an important step to fund the continued expansion of housing stock, as well as ensuring that currently existing housing remains in good condition. I supported the effort to raise linkage fees throughout the City which has created more revenue for the Affordable Housing Trust. Similarly, I have worked to raise the inclusionary housing requirement for new development. We need to continue to make bold steps and proposals so that affordable housing can be available in all of Cambridge. Ensuring that people and families from all walks of life can thrive in Cambridge is key to building a vibrant community for everyone. Open Space My commitment to you is that I will never stop fighting for the completion of the Grand Junction Path. I believe this path is one of the best transportation infrastructure project the City of Cambridge can achieve on our own, without State funding. It will provide safe biking opportunities and will connect neighborhoods and communities and provide recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. The Volpe site represents an opportunity to ensure more open space throughout the Community, while simultaneously addressing ongoing housing needs. Cambridge is a dense city, and our residents benefit from having access to great park lands. We are blessed with the DCR parklands along the Charles River and we are fortunate to have the resources to maintain excellent playing fields for all youth sports, and to attract award winning designers for our playgrounds such as the one on the Cambridge Common. Economic Development and Commerce, Retail Viability and Affordability Not only have we funded all these projects, but we also have the ability to fund the human services needs of this community. Our fiscal stability has allowed us to exceed the capabilities of other cities and towns - Cambridge has a AAA bond rating, allowing the city to borrow at low rates. This took tremendous effort by the city over the years to get Cambridge to this point; this was not the fiscal reality when I started on the council. We must continue to achieve this level of fiscal stability, so that our ongoing projects may continue and so that we can continue to provide outstanding public and human services. While we have made great strides in Kendall Square, it is becoming increasingly difficult for small businesses to thrive.This past term I have made a number of proposals to help small business owners, to free them of additional burdens.
In the coming term I will work to keep the needs of the small business owner at the forefront of the conversation. Social Justice While growing up in East Cambridge, my entire neighborhood consisted of immigrants and the children of immigrants. People of all backgrounds came together to build a strong community where we looked out for one another. I have made it my goal as a City Councillor to continue to make Cambridge an inclusive city for all. I sponsored legislation for the Council to go on record supporting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals which will continue to protect over 18,000 citizens. Furthermore I introduced the ordinance that created the City's Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship. This commission provides residents with access to resources and "Know Your Rights" trainings which have been a vital resource in our community. Furthermore as a councillor I have always made sure that I have been accessible to my constituents, guiding many of them to the government services that they need - including housing services. Constituent Service My web site is http://timtoomey.org. You can also e-mail me at timtoomey@aol.com or call my district office at 617-491-1846. I also post on Twitter @timtoomey1 and on Facebook: http://facebook.com/timothyjtoomeyjr CCTV candidate video (2017) 2015 Candidate Page 2013 Candidate Page 2011 Candidate Page 2009 Candidate Page 2007 Candidate Page |
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Page last updated Tuesday, October 10, 2017 1:40 PM | Cambridge Candidates |