RADIO SHOWS
Either/Orchestra jazz ensemble performs in Distler Hall see ARTS&LIVING / PAGE 4
WMFO highlights community voices, talent
Field hockey starts NESCAC tournament in dominant fashion see SPORTS/ BACK PAGE
SEE FEATURES / PAGE 3
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T HE T UFTS DAILY
VOLUME LXXVIII, ISSUE 42
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS.
Lungo-Koehn ousts incumbent Burke, two new City Councilors elected by Austin Clementi
Executive News Editor
Longtime Medford City Councilor Breanna Lungo-Koehn won a close victory in Meford’s mayoral election yesterday, edging out incumbent Mayor Stephanie Burke by just 652 votes. Burke, who has been mayor since 2015, garnered 47.43% of the vote; Lungo-Koehn earned 52.37%. Lungo-Koehn, a local lawyer, has been on the Medford City Council since 2001. Her campaign has been marked with calls for transparency and critique of Burke’s style of leadership, particularly regarding a lack of transparency. She welcomed her victory as an indication that Medford’s attitudes toward its government are shifting.
“The results of today’s election confirmed what we’ve heard throughout the year: that Medford is a fantastic place, but we need a change in direction from the mayor’s office,” Lungo-Koehn said. In an acceptance speech following her victory, Lungo-Koehn called for unity between her voters and Burke’s. “To Mayor Burke and her supporters, thank you for a positive conversation about the future of Medford,” she said. “I want you to know that I am committed to earning your trust as mayor.” Lungo-Koehn said she would outline a transition plan for her administration in the next few weeks. She said this committee would be composed of three subcommittees: schools, parking and city services, and planning and devel-
opment. She invited Burke’s supporters to join and provide input into these committees. Neither Lungo-Koehn nor Burke could not be reached for official comment by press time. All five incumbent candidates for City Council won top victories, garnering a total of 43.86% of the total votes and leaving two open. Nicole Morell, who currently works at MIT’s Office of Sustainability, was one of the non-incumbents who won with 7.5% of the total vote. Zac Bears, whose campaign focused largely on keeping Medford affordable by placing restrictions on developers, won with 8.08% of the total vote. Neither Bears nor Morell could be reached by press time.
Content warning: This article discusses sexual assault. Tufts student groups Action for Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP) and Green Dot, as well as the Tufts Center for Awareness,
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Resources, and Education (CARE), hosted “Take Back the Night” yesterday, a community walk and speak out, in hopes of showing support for those impacted by sexual violence. The event was organized both to show support for survivors and to raise awareness in the Tufts community about the many types of resources available to stuFor breaking news, our content archive and exclusive content, visit tuftsdaily.com @tuftsdaily
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by Alexander Thompson News Editor
dents on campus. Although the event was centered around themes of sexual assault, all speakers made sure to omit any specific descriptions of sexual violence in order to foster a comfortable and safe environment. Hundreds of students met on the residential quad in front of Houston Hall at 8 see SURVIVORS, page 2
see SOMERVILLE, page 2
MENGQI IRINA WANG / THE TUFTS DAILY
Students gather to show their support for survivors of sexual assault during ‘Take Back the Night,’ an event organized by ASAP on Tisch roof on Nov. 5. Contributing Writer
Curtatone cruises to 9th term as mayor
Incumbents did well in yesterday’s municipal elections in Somerville, with voters returning Joe Curtatone to the mayor’s office for the ninth time since 2004 over his challenger, Marianne Walles, a social worker and union organizer backed by Our Revolution Somerville. Voters also reelected all four incumbent at-large city councilors by healthy margins in a hotly contested eight-candidate race. When the preliminary results came out around 9 p.m. last night, they were met by raucous applause and cheers at Curtatone’s election night party in Olde Magoun’s Saloon. Curtatone received 8,052 votes, or 59.78% of the vote, to Walles’ 5348 votes, or 39.74%, with 0.48% write-ins, according to the preliminary results. “We’ve had a good debate, but the results have spoken loud and clear,” Curtatone told his supporters shortly after the results were announced. “Thank you for putting our record on the line and showing that we have the greatest city in the world.” The mayor told the Daily that this victory was the “sweetest” of his career because it reflected Somerville voters’ commitment to progressive values despite increasing division on the national stage. Curtatone said he took the election campaign as an opportunity to listen to the concerns of Somerville residents, who he says are happy with the direction of the city but want to see more done to accomplish progressive policies on everything from immigration and affordable housing. “I’ve been reminded about that constantly in the 4,500 doorbells I rang throughout the summer and fall months, you believe me I’m listening,” Curtatone said. “We can’t just strive to do more. We need to take the opportunity to lead; lead not just here locally but in the region and in the Commonwealth.” Curtatone’s message seemed to be resonating with voters yesterday afternoon. Susan Foley, a long-term Somerville resident, said she was pleased with the city’s direction and that she voted for incumbents. “This community has really grown in the time I’ve been here, and I appreciate the decision-making,” she said after casting
ASAP, Green Dot host Take Back the Night in support of survivors
by Hannah Noh
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NEWS............................................1 FEATURES.................................3 ARTS & LIVING.......................4
FUN & GAMES.........................5 OPINION.....................................6 SPORTS............................ BACK