Henrietta Davis
2005 Candidate for Cambridge City Council

Home address:
120 Chestnut Street
Cambridge MA 02139

Contact information:
Tel: 617-547-0877 (home)
website: www.henriettadavis.org 
e-mail: henrietta@henriettadavis.org (campaign)
       hdavis@cambridgema.gov (for City Council business)

Send contributions to:
Committee to Elect Henrietta Davis
120 Chestnut St.
Cambridge, MA 02139

Background:

• Vice Mayor: 2002-2003; Former Chair, Health and Environment Committee; Chair Public Safety Committee; and Traffic and Transportation Committee
• City Councillor, 1996-present
• Member, Cambridge School Committee, 1988-1995
• Administrator, Agassiz Preschool, 1985-1994
• Freelance journalist: Time, Life, Money and National Public Radio, 1975-1985
• Social worker and community planner, 1967-1974

Education: 

• Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, MPA, 1997
• Harvard Law School Negotiation Workshop, 1995
• Boston College School of Social Work, Master of Social Planning, 1972
• University of Rochester, B.A., in English Literature 1967

Top Priorities:
Family housing, Health and Environment, Traffic and Transportation, and Neighborhood Preservation

Quality of Life and Public Safety:
WHAT I WILL DO
In a next term , I plan to focus on decreasing red light running, as well as continuing to make the city safer and more attractive for people who walk bike or use the "T" and of course I favor more trees.

WHAT I HAVE DONE
As a result of my initiative, we have acquired our street lights and now maintain them. I also helped to get money in the budget for sidewalk repair. In addition, I chaired the effort to site a new police station which will serve the public better and be close to public transportation.

Traffic, Parking, and Transportation:
WHAT I WILL DO
I am passionate about making this city safe for people of all ages to walk and bicycle. I will continue that work by focusing on ways that bicyclists can make their way through the city on continuous safe routes.

WHAT I HAVE DONE
For 8 years, I was the chair of the city council's Traffic and Transportation Committee advocating for alternative modes of transportation to the private automobile. Together with transportation planners from the city, I've worked to make this an easier place for people of all ages to get around. We pushed for the posting of route and schedule information at T bus stops... and they’re going up, route by route, throughout the city. I’ve also gotten the city to install more shelters at bus stops. I’m committed to working for shuttle service for the new public library and helped to start the EZ Ride Shuttle from Cambridge to North Station. I was an early and enthusiastic backer of the Zipcar program, which gives drivers an alternative to owning their own cars... and I’m proposing that city agencies develop a “ride-sharing” program for workers.

Two years ago, I became the chair of the Public Safety Committee, so that I could press for a city-wide traffic safety program. That program, called Points for Safety, will protect bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. For that, I have secured a commitment from the Police Department to increase the enforcement of laws against red-light running. In cooperation with the Cambridge Bicycle Committee, I'm spearheading a campaign to educate drivers and passengers to look for bicyclists before opening car doors. Also, there will be an emphasis on stopping for pedestrians in crosswalk by both motorists and bicyclists. By working with bicycle and pedestrian activists and the Police Department, we will make our streets safer.

Municipal Finance, City Budget, Assessments, and Property Taxes:
WHAT I WILL DO
I will press for fair and predictable taxes and advocate with the state legislature so that our taxes can be apportioned in that way.

WHAT I HAVE DONE
The City of Cambridge is doing very well financially especially when compared to other cities and towns in Massachusetts. Our current situation is a result of good management by our City Manager and his staff, and also a result of growth that we experience because we are at the hub of biotech research. What I have done is firstly to support the City Manager and his staff, and secondly to work to balance development in the community--which benefits the tax base -- with the impact of that development on the quality of life in the city. I have consistently voted to downzone the city in order to protect neighborhoods and assure the city's livability. In addition, in order to improve our resources for housing, historic preservation and open space, I advocated for the passage of the Community Preservation Act, which has returned to the city over $10 million since its passage.

Land Use, Planning, Economic Development:
WHAT I WILL DO
Our neighborhoods are the building blocks of our city. I will continue to press for planning and zoning that assures that the city protects its neighborhoods. And I will actively support the neighborhood plans developed by hard working citizen committees.

WHAT I HAVE DONE
With committed neighborhood activists, we are protecting neighborhoods and preserving open space. I’ve secured city staff to assist the Agassiz neighborhood on working with Harvard on its plans for future growth and called for a study of Mass Ave from Porter Square to Harvard Square to avert overdevelopment in that corridor. I’ve called for the implementation of neighborhood study plans, created by the hard work of citizen committees. Their recommendations must result in action. I’ve led the effort to preserve a valuable white maple forest, at the Cambridge-Belmont line and adjacent to the Alewife reservation, that is threatened by a proposed commercial development. I’ve sponsored zoning protections for all MDC park land and city open space. We must do all we can to protect all the open space we have.

Human Services Programs:

Open Space, Parks, and Recreation:
I'm always looking for better ways to make use of state land that is in Cambridge, especially land that is under-utilized. Years ago I got the Magazine Beach project under way which will finally be under construction next spring after the Little League season (cross your fingers!)

Energy, the Environment, and Public Health:
WHAT I WILL DO
I just proposed an order , passed by the entire council to investigate becoming a municipal power company, enabling us to negotiate for less expensive and cleaner power. I will see this study through and also look for way for the city to buy more clean renewable energy such as wind power. I recently led the Council to adopt a goal of 20% renewable power for the city by 2010.

WHAT I HAVE DONE
Together with health-care professionals and environmental activists, we are making our city a healthier place to live and work. I am proud to have taken the lead in winning City Council approval of a smoking ban in all bars and restaurants. I brought together the parties necessary to get a majority Council vote. As chair of the Health and Environment Committee, I’ve led the movement to promote the goal for all new city buildings -- government and private alike – to be built as high-performing green buildings. We’ve already made a start at the 57 Inman St. City Hall Annex. In addition, I led the Council to adopt goals for city purchasing of environmentally friendly products. I'm proud to say that I facilitated an agreement between the city, Harvard and MIT to reach a 40% recycling goal.

I led the Council in passing a Climate Protection Plan and I also serve as the city's legislative liaison to the Cities for Climate Protection, a group of more than 300 cities worldwide that are taking action against global warming and forging a path for others to follow.

I also promoted the installation of energy efficient LED traffic lights, saving thousands of dollars for the city and benefiting the environment at the same time. Please see more about the environment at my web site www.henriettadavis.org 

Housing:
WHAT I WILL DO
I will work for more affordable housing. As a city, we have a good record in developing such housing for our low-income families. Now, I will continue that work and also promote housing that will allow our middle-class families to remain in the city-- and to attract new families.

WHAT I HAVE DONE
The City Council and the city staff have worked together, setting housing as the number one priority of the city. I've worked with my fellow councillors to create many incentives to build or preserve housing, to increase overall the supply of affordable housing using many different strategies. Through my newsletter, published three times yearly, I’ve supplied information that has enabled new homeowners to find housing using our first-time homebuyer program. I introduced a measure to use an inclusionary zoning tool to promote the building of additional middle-income housing. I also promoted newly adopted zoning that makes it possible to build housing anywhere in the city. I’m proud to say that city efforts have led to over 6000 affordable units built or preserved, 16% of all housing. I support our efforts in every way I can.

Arts and Public Celebrations:

University Relations:
WHAT I WILL DO
There is so much to be done in this area. I will press for better planning by the city to set out appropriate expectations for growth by universities and appropriate protections for neighborhoods. I will work towards firmer cooperative ventures in housing, education and the environment.

WHAT I HAVE DONE
Two years ago as Vice Chair of the University Relations committee I have worked to create a positive and constructive relationship with our neighboring universities. Rather than focusing only on the difficult parts of that relationship, I have promoted cooperation, asking for the universities' help with schools, for example. We have been working in five areas: city finances, planning and development, schools, housing and the environment.

Cooperative work is ongoing relative to the environment and a new commitment to a 40% recycling rate by Harvard, MIT, the city government and Cambridge Hospital is a good example of that. I pressed for a commitment from MIT on its in lieu of tax payments and on taking property off the tax rolls. The universities should also assist and plan together with us for future housing needs in the community.

The universities intend to grow! The vitality of the universities adds to the vitality of the city if it's not overdone. If the city can plan its own future, clearly setting limits of development, university growth will be less contentious. I've won support from the City Council for a planning study of Mass Ave between Porter and Harvard Squares which should set out the expectation for future growth limits on Lesley University and Harvard University in that corridor. Other efforts, including passage of downzoning in Riverside to protect that neighborhood which I will be a part of in the next few weeks, are crucial.

Civic Participation:
WHAT I WILL DO
I will press for more public information about boards and commissions so that people can apply to join them. I will continue to supply information to the public, because information is power.

WHAT I HAVE DONE
I've worked together with citizens by providing information and responding to concerns. I've produced a newsletter two times a year, whether it's election season or not, to give a heads-up about the issues we all care about. Also, I distributed a “Useful Numbers” card for easy access to city offices. There are little things that make a difference, such as making sure that meeting notices and other information are displayed at city buildings. I also encouraged the use of a special telephoning system called reverse 911 to call people for street-cleaning and crime alerts. Finally, I welcome feedback from you by phone and email about your concerns!

Cambridge Public Schools:
WHAT I WILL DO
After years of turmoil, we must restore confidence in our school system. As a first step, I will work with our three universities -- Harvard, MIT and Lesley -- to secure their help in teaching math, science and technology to our young people. The consolidation of elementary schools from 15 down to 13 has created changes in the way that children and adults make use of human service department programs. It has also meant that the buildings, Graham & Parks and Longfellow School buildings are now vacant.

WHAT I HAVE DONE
I served for eight years on the School Committee, prior to serving on the City Council. I have consistently advocated for excellent public schools. Together with parents and city councillors, I am working to strengthen our schools and helping our children to be smart, healthy, and to have fun, too. As Vice Chair of the University Relations Committee, I’ve secured the support of our neighbor universities to promise to help our schools. As co-chair of the Healthy Children Task Force, I’m leading and supporting programs to combat obesity. We are working with all schools and families to educate them in preventing and reducing obesity through healthy eating and physical activity. As a founder of the Cambridge Walks program, I am promoting “Walk Your Child to School” day. With the help of others on the Healthy Children Task Force and the school department, we’ve secured funding for mental health services at every elementary school.

Other:
For more information or copies of my past newsletters, go to www.henriettadavis.org.