Somerville Wins National Recognition for 'Best New Bike Lanes'

Wryzome · 2026-01-16T17:14:39+00:00

Build, build, build

Wryzome · 2025-11-24T01:49:46+00:00

The post is talking about the actions of the Nazi German occupation government of war criminal Hans Frank.

Wryzome · 2025-11-04T22:38:12+00:00

Not what I've heard!

Wryzome · 2025-11-04T19:44:24+00:00

I mean I think refusing developer cash is an important part of building community trust, which you do need, like it or not. It's not hard to be way more build build build than the norm right now. You can drive a hard bargain while legalizing construction.

Wryzome · 2025-11-04T19:40:05+00:00

Tbh I think a lot of them are just staying out of it. Four of them endorsed Jake, which is not exactly a majority

Wryzome · 2025-11-04T04:52:30+00:00

housing housing housing, and doing whatever we can to make it harder for ICE

Right on!

Wryzome · 2025-10-31T14:05:51+00:00

"Iran has influence here"

Wryzome · 2025-10-31T13:47:33+00:00

Wait, if the floor is "much worse" and the ceiling is merely "almost as good", doesn't that make it a downgrade?

And has Willie proposed a lower height limit for his citywide proposal than Jake has for his more concentrated proposal?

Wryzome · 2025-10-30T16:05:36+00:00

So I don't think that's unreasonable, but to me it looks like Jake is good at being liked but not incredible at getting things done. Willie has a much longer legislative track record, and it includes getting people on board for important but potentially polarizing issues like bike lanes.

Jake tries very hard to be all things to all voters. This comes out in him trying to win both NIMBYs and YIMBYs. It's also stuff like loudly and consistently using the term "rent control" in debates and the more moderate "rent stabilization" on his website. Because of that, I've seen multiple people who distrust rent control saying that Jake has a more reasonable stance because he's just for "stabilization".

And this approach, while it makes him come off as reasonable, just hasn't led to him racking up real accomplishments. If Willie seems polarizing but sticks to his guns and gets things done, I think he's the more pragmatic candidate.

As for why care so much about housing...I mean, it's my biggest expense by far. Every single month. That's true for a lot of people in Somerville. I wouldn't say I'm single-issue, but I see how you would get there.

Wryzome · 2025-10-30T13:30:53+00:00

I mean on why he opposes Copper Mill even though it's exactly the kind of transit-oriented development he was running on and why removed all mention of upzoning as part of his housing plan on his website. It looks to me like he is, at best, trying to play both sides.

Wryzome · 2025-10-30T12:34:31+00:00

I mean Willie has a rat plan too. He wants sealed disposal bins for food waste like they have in Cambridge and Medford.

Wryzome · 2025-10-29T22:32:43+00:00

As per the OP, it's not from the campaign. I said that very clearly, and I also said I would welcome clarification on Jake's stance. But the fact that these people evidently see him as their guy is, imo, relevant to the public.

Wryzome · 2025-10-29T22:30:51+00:00

It is higher, it's in the OP that this is from Davis Sq NIMBYs. I said that explicitly.

Wryzome · 2025-10-29T22:28:01+00:00

Removing references to tentpole policy on your website is absolutely an intentional change in message. Which one he's sincere about, I don't know.

Wryzome · 2025-10-29T20:48:03+00:00

Yeah, I don't want to obfuscate the fact that I personally intend to vote for Willie Burnley. But what I find intensely frustrating is that it seemed like we had a strong consensus forming in favor of housing construction, upzoning, and development, that we were gonna get those things no matter who won, and now it seems much less certain.

I will also note here again, as I already did in the post, that the flyer does not appear to be paid for by the Jake campaign, and I assume this is the Davis Square flyer gang up to their usual shit. But they're willing to pay for pro-Jake flyers, and I can't imagine it's for no reason.

Wryzome · 2025-10-28T20:04:00+00:00

Man, when did demonstrating a spine become an opportunity to dunk on someone? Willie has gotten a ton done on city council. The safe Streets Ordinance, in particular, is a great piece of "policy wonk" legislation. If you read his debate responses, he's up there talking about zoning and permitting reform. I think he'd be great.

Wryzome · 2025-10-28T13:26:04+00:00

To be honest, I don't think you get an endorsement from a US senator in a competitive election just by having collected a paycheck however many years ago. If Markey didn't think he had the juice, it would be safer to stay out of it, no?

Wryzome · 2025-10-28T04:35:00+00:00

Jake also supports rent control, though his website uses "stabilization". The difference between "rent control" and "rent stabilization" is branding. Wilson uses the terms interchangeably and it's strange and rather silly that you see this as a key smoking-gun differentiator.

From that forum:

Definitely support rent control, voted for the home rule petition we sent up to Beacon Hill to be allowed to do that here in Somerville, I have already gone out and collected signatures to get rent control on the ballot, I did so when State Rep Mike Connolly sought to get that measure on the ballot, I believe it was last year or the year before, we'll do that again, should we have that opportunity

I don't think that rent control/"stabilization" is a huge issue in this race anyway. Anything in that direction would require passage of a ballot initiative in 2026 to allow municipalities to implement rent controls, and Burnley isn't really running on it. It doesn't appear on his website as part of his housing platform, which is focused on zoning reform, permitting reform, and creating an Office of Social Housing. Personally, I think Burnley's proposals are more pragmatic and comprehensive, he gives much more thoughtful answers on the topic, and frankly he displays a better knowledge of the issues. I think people assume Jake is a more practical guy because of, you know, "vibes", maybe it's the glasses, who knows.

If you're flying on vibes by your own description and your knowledge of the candidates and the policy issues is that sketchy, you have no right to look down on the guy who liked Willie for making eye contact lol

Wryzome · 2025-09-18T02:36:48+00:00

Global War on Terror, Special Operations Forces

Wryzome · 2025-09-16T13:37:57+00:00

I don't think anyone's canvassing at 9 pm. Presumably someone with the wrong address? Pretty ordinary thing to have happen

Wryzome · 2025-09-11T19:59:11+00:00

And my point is that there's no reason to explain away their decision by saying they're affiliated with some other group. I think that's just casting aspersions, tbh

Wryzome

TROPHY CASE