Medford voters set to vote amid zoning debate and federal actions Somerville residents weigh in on election issues, key races
Melanie Tringali, who also ran unsuccessfully in 2023, is making another attempt and placed third in the preliminary.
With elections for the Medford City Council and School Committee approaching, candidates are offering distinct visions for the city’s future. Those endorsed by “Our Revolution Medford” hope to defend and expand their progressive supermajorities on both bodies, while independent candidates are pushing for a more moderate agenda.
Our Revolution-backed candidates currently hold a 6–1 majority on the City Council and a 4–2 majority on the School Committee. All but one of those six — Council Vice President Kit Collins — are running for reelection. The group has also endorsed two non-incumbents for both City Council and School Committee.
Council President Zac Bears, who was endorsed by Our Revolution, said after September’s preliminary election that he was confident more progressive voters would turn out in November.
The group of independents includes both first-time and returning candidates. Councilor George Scarpelli led the pack in the mayoral preliminary. Former Council President Rick Caraviello, who made an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2023, is hoping to return to the council and came in second in September.
“We are a Motley Crew of ideas and personalities. We definitely disagree on the details. And you’ll see that when we’re all elected. That’s one of the reasons why we were able to come together to compete against the Our Revolution platform,” Nate Merritt, an independent candidate, wrote in a statement to the Daily.
The city’s zoning overhaul and housing access have emerged as central issues in the campaign.
on more doors and sending more mailers compared to previous elections.
“One thing I’ve really noticed is people are really spending a lot on these campaigns,” Myar said. “It’s a very competitive race.”
GRAPHIC BY SHEA TOMAC
The Daily spoke with Somerville residents about their reflections on the School Committee and City Council races ahead of election day. Issues that shaped this campaign season included affordable housing and development, public safety and homelessness, special education and disability programming, street safety and design, among others. Ward 6 resident Mary Ellen Myar observed that nonincumbent candidates have made increased efforts to connect with voters this year, knocking
Although candidates generally fall on the same side of the ideological spectrum, Myar noted that a dividing line has emerged in this election between candidates endorsed by Somerville Yes in My Back Yard and those who are not.
YIMBY has advocated for increased housing density and prioritizing bike lanes over parking.
“Do you support increasing bike lanes and removing parking or not — that’s probably the biggest differentiator,” Myar said when describing the most divisive issues of this election.
Davis Square Neighborhood Council board member Christopher Beland recognized an emerging fault line between YIMBY and non-YIMBY candidates, but emphasized that residents overall share more common ground than differences.
“It’s not the same as national politics, where you have a complete war and people
SOMERVILLE
Somerville divestment question to appear on ballot following challenge to Election Commission
The Somerville Election Commission voted on Oct. 6 to certify more than 8,000 voter signatures in support of a nonbinding advisory ballot measure asking whether the city should end business with companies linked to Israel, clearing the way for the question to appear on the November ballot.
The decision followed a lengthy public hearing before the city’s Election Commission, where commissioners heard testimony from residents, elected officials and representatives arguing for and against certification. The measure, known as Question 3, will allow Somerville voters to weigh in on whether city leaders should, according to the city’s website, “end all current city business and prohibit future city investments and contracts with companies as long as such companies engage in business that sustains Israel’s apartheid, genocide, and illegal occupation of Palestine.”
The ballot question is nonbinding. The Election Commission’s approval of Question 3
follows months of organizing by Somerville for Palestine, whose members and volunteers gathered 8,013 certified signatures
to qualify the measure for the ballot — exceeding the 10% threshold of all registered city voters required by state law.
Somerville for Palestine is a grassroots organization “united in [its] steadfast advocacy for Palestinian liberation,” according to its Instagram page.
The Oct. 6 hearing was centered on a challenge filed by members of Somerville United Against Discrimination, a group of Jewish residents of Somerville and allies who oppose Question 3. SUAD sought to disqualify thousands of voter signatures, arguing that they were collected outside the legally permitted time frame.
A representative for SUAD also testified at the meeting that the question’s wording was “vague” and “filled with discrimination.”
“This specific question will cause harm to our residents … because it is incorrect, it is false and it is filled with antisemitic tropes,” she said. “It specifically states that Israel is doing apartheid, genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine. These are all false statements.”
see DIVESTMENT, page 3
Anika Parr and Alexandra Tse Deputy News Editor and News Editor
Evan Vezmar and Julian Glickman News Editor and Deputy News Editor
Alexandra Tse News Editor
MATTHEW SAGE / THE TUFTS DAILY
Protestors are pictured inside Somerville City Hall on March 27.
Residents weigh in on School Committee, City Council
MEDFORD continued from the front
Proponents argue that rezoning will create more housing opportunities and vibrant communities, while opponents fear the process has moved too quickly, threatening neighborhood character.
“Whether people supported it or had concerns, zoning affects everyone,” Page Buldini, who was eliminated in the preliminary, wrote in a statement to the Daily. “The next step is consistent public education and outreach so residents feel encouraged to ask questions, seek information, and take part in shaping what comes next.”
The zoning project has largely stalled following the expiration of the city’s contract with a consultant, as well as divisions between the council and Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. The City Council is set to vote on a reconsideration of one of the most contentious segments of the project — the Salem Street Corridor — in mid-November.
Resident Dan Nowitz expressed concern that communities could change drastically due to zoning and construction. “We all want solutions, but just building more and upzoning often helps wealthier newcomers and investors, not the current Medford families hoping to put down roots,” he wrote the Daily.
The city’s financial situation has also raised concerns among candidates, who disagree on how best to bring in revenue and fund infrastructure projects.
“[The budget] is one of those all-expanding problems that creeps over into everything else,” Councilor Matt Leming said. “Most of it reduces to the fact that we don’t have money to support [certain projects].”
Candidates in the independent group have criticized overspending and called for tighter control. They hope to avoid another tax override following last year’s Proposition 2½ property tax override, which funded specific needs within Medford Public Schools and the Department of Public Works.
“Our tax base isn’t great, and this is why we’ve been relying on Proposition 2½ overrides. … I think it’s a form of financial duct tape,” Patrick Clerkin, a candidate with the independent group, said.
Budget concerns have been intensified by pressures from the federal government. The administration of President Donald Trump has targeted municipalities that have sanctuary city policies, such as Medford, and has ramped up the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the area.
The current council has passed ordinances in response to these federal actions, drawing criticism from independent candidates who call for a greater focus on citywide rather than national issues. Candidates differ on how much the city should intervene in the actions of federal agents.
“When we ensure that we’re not complying with ICE, we’re saving Medford’s resources and time on
things that are not keeping anyone safe — that are instilling fear in so many residents,” Miranda Briseño, a first-time candidate who was endorsed by Our Revolution, said.
“I don’t want to see [ICE] going into schools, taking children out of schools. But [with] violent criminals, murderers, rapists and drug dealers, they’re doing their job,” Paul Donato Jr., a candidate with the independent group, said. “It’s a federal issue; there’s really not much the city of Medford could do.”
Residents will also vote in November on a new city charter.
Supported by Lungo-Koehn and passed by both the City Council and the State House, the charter would bring the first structural changes to the mayoralty and City Council in decades.
School Committee candidates have discussed the growing presence of artificial intelligence and its potential use as a learning tool. They planned for a reimagined Medford High School and the potential impact of federal actions on curricula and budgets.
“[The high school project is] so long overdue that every day that we wait is a day that we’re not giving kids the building that they deserve,” Jenny Graham, vice chair of the School Committee, said.
“It was very much a year of sides and slates, which showed how strongly people feel about the direction of the city,” Buldini wrote. “At the end of the day, we’re all part of the same city, and understanding where that division comes from is the first step toward doing better.”
Somerville voters prioritize housing, public safety
are in one tribe or the other, because everyone here is sort of in the same tribe,” he said.
Beland cited the controversial Copper Mill Development project in Davis Square and broader upzoning debates as among the most divisive issues in the race.
“[There are] people that are really in favor of YIMBY, things like the Copper Mill tower, and people that are like: ‘This is ruining the city,’ and it’s a lot of yelling,” Beland said.
“But I think once they have longer discussions with people with different perspectives, people don’t really turn out to be all that absolute on things.”
Helen, a longtime resident, firmly opposed the Copper Mill project and more upzoning initiatives.
“I don’t want to live in a city that looks like Boston or Chicago or New York,” Helen said. “I want to live in a city with neighborhoods where you know people. If everybody lives in apartment buildings, you don’t get to know anyone.”
Myar emphasized that residents often lack a candidate who champions this perspective.
Helen expressed support for City Councilor at-Large candidate Holly Simione, who ranked seventh in the preliminary and serves as the chair of the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
“I don’t think that the candidates actually represent the Somerville community at large,” Myar said. “That’s just because the people who are choosing to run tend to be very, very progressive.”
Residents identified special education and disability representation
as another central issue in both the City Council and School Committee races. Families of children with disabilities say their needs, such as ensuring individualized education programs get properly implemented, remain unmet.
Niccole Cannon, a Somerville resident and parent of a child with a disability, expressed support for candidates like Liz Eldridge, running for School Committee Ward 2, and Simione.
“I think families like ours, parents like me need people that are in our corner, fighting for our families,” Cannon said.
Shu Talun, a Ward 3 resident and secretary of the Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council, echoed this concern, naming Eldridge, Simone and Kristen Strezo as candidates who stood out to her as strong advocates.
“We are a very progressive city, and we always talk about inclusion, and equal access to education for all. But I feel like we aren’t actually doing that in practice,” Talun said.
Another polarizing issue in this election is the nonbinding ballot Question 3. It was approved on Oct. 6 to go on the ballot, allowing residents to weigh in on whether the city should end business with companies tied to Israel.
Beland described the ballot question as an important gesture rather than a literal policy directive. He supports the measure and plans to vote in favor to “send a signal” that residents care about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and trusts that the incoming City Council will “find a better way to send that signal” without legal complications.
Several candidates, including Willie Burnley Jr., Ben EwenCampen, Wilfred Mbah and Naima Sait, have publicly supported the measure. Mbah is running for reelection for City Council at-Large, Sait is seeking reelection for City Council Ward 5 and Ewen-Campen is running unopposed for Ward 3.
With many candidates vying for the same positions, residents said that candidates’ personalities could be a deciding factor.
“I think the thing that really differentiates people is not the positions they take on things, but … their style,” Beland explained. “The incumbents and some of the new candidates are running a lot on their personal character and the fact that they listen to their constituents.”
JOSUÉ PÉREZ / THE TUFTS DAILY
Assorted lawn signs of Medford City Council and School Committee candidates are pictured.
SAMANTHA POKORNY / THE TUFTS DAILY
The protected bike lane on Powderhouse Boulevard in Somerville is pictured on Monday.
SOMERVILLE continued from the front
Debates over Somerville’s ballot Question 3 continue
actions, not their identity, not their origins, not their beliefs,” Tumavicus said.
Elections Commission Chair Nicholas Salerno said the verified signatures surpassed the necessary benchmark. “We have not received objections alleging fraud or forgery of any particular signatures,” he said.
Advocates for the measure, including Tufts graduate student Lucy Tumavicus (LA’22), treasurer of the Somerville Boycott Question for Palestine Committee, pushed back on claims that Question 3 is discriminatory.
“This question does not discriminate against any particular person, group or protected class recognized in state or federal law.
The language of the question was drafted specifically to apply to companies on the basis of their
She also emphasized canvassers’ and volunteers’ adherence to regulations, laws and the importance of proper civic process in the collection of signatures for Question 3.
“This ballot campaign has been, at every step of the way, a grassroots effort of Somerville community members exercising their right to the civic process, taking measures to be diligent in following all applicable laws and guidance,” Tumavicus said. “The fact that this question brings forth differing opinions is precisely the reason that it must appear on the ballot so that the voters of Somerville … can make their voice heard on this issue.”
State Sen. Patricia Jehlen offered testimony in support of allowing voters to decide on the ballot question themselves.
“The ballot question does not discriminate against Jewish and Israeli business owners. The ballot question only advises the city government not to engage in business with or invest in companies that engage in business that sustains Israel’s apartheid, genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine,” Jehlen said.
Several Somerville city councilors — including Councilor-atLarge and mayoral candidate Willie Burnley Jr., Councilor-at-Large Wilfred Mbah and Councilors
J.T. Scott and Naima Sait — also offered testimonials in support of moving the question forward.
Burnley Jr., a signatory of the petition, said he was “deeply
grateful” for the Election Commission’s decision to approve the question for the ballot and looked forward to voting for it.
“It would have been a severe miscarriage of justice and a disruption to the democratic process if a relatively small amount of individuals and institutions … were able to drown out the voices of over 11,000 signatories,” Burnley Jr. said. “If voters are unable to decide whether our city will remain complicit in genocidal acts, then our democracy itself will be degraded.”
For many supporters, the Election Commission’s decision stood as an affirmation of the city’s democratic process.
“I won’t deny that not everyone agrees with us, as you can plainly see, but that’s the function of democracy. We should all have
the right to vote on where our tax dollars are spent, because what’s undeniable is that Somerville cares about this issue,” Annika Schaefer, a resident who coordinates the Jewish caucus of Somerville for Palestine, wrote in an affidavit.
Following confirmation of Question 3’s place on the ballot, SUAD members are continuing to urge people to vote ‘no’ on Tuesday.
“The people that do not support this question are entitled to their opinion and their right to express it, which they may do by voting ‘no’ on this question. What they cannot do is police others’ language, suppress others’ right to be heard,” Turmivicus said. “Somerville wants the opportunity to vote on this, and the signatures are there to prove it.”
Mayor Lungo-Koehn vetoes divestment ordinance, drawing backlash from advocates
fuel companies and in weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn vetoed an ordinance on Oct. 9 that would have required the city to divest from entities operating contrary to human rights standards, a move that disappointed proponents of the measure.
The ordinance passed in August with a 5–1 vote, with Councilor George Scarpelli dissenting and Councilor Anna Callahan absent. Specifically, it called for Medford to divest from fossil fuel companies, weapons manufacturers and other entities contributing to human rights violations such as displacement and war crimes.
Reportedly, the proposal followed a public records request revealing that Medford had invested public funds in fossil
Some community members argued that such investments contradict the city’s stated values and human rights commitments.
“If we have these public funds, we are not going to invest them in this global effort that disregards and dehumanizes people in so many different ways — whether that’s for political gain or for private profit, or in many cases both, in a never-ending cycle of destruction and violence,” City Council
President Isaac “Zac” Bears, a sponsor of the ordinance, said at a Council meeting.
Lungo-Koehn vetoed the ordinance, citing unaddressed legal and financial implications for the city and its employees.
“This ordinance, in its current form and in my opinion, has not undergone the level
of diligence required for matters of such legal and financial magnitude, nor were any recommendations to do so considered,” Lungo-Koehn wrote in a letter to the City Council. “Specifically, the final ordinance was passed without fully addressing the substantive concerns raised by the Law and Finance Departments.”
Lungo-Koehn added that these concerns had been raised in a memorandum from KP Law, the firm the city hired to deliver a legal opinion on the ordinance, but went unheeded by the council.
“The lack of a pause by the Council when they became aware of the memorandum by KP Law before the adoption is unfortunate, but not irreversible,” Lungo-Koehn wrote.
However, volunteers involved in advocating for the
ordinance pushed back on the mayor’s claims. Micah-Shalom Kesselman and Josh EckartLee, organizers with Medford for Palestine, described LungoKoehn’s characterization of the process as misleading. Medford for Palestine spearheaded the effort to draft and pass the ordinance.
“I’ll just say that she lied about it in her letter — that the City Council did not address any of the feedwback given to it by KP Law,” Kesselman said. “Many months ago, they sent an analysis and feedback, and amendments were put into the ordinance to address those specific issues with particularity and focus.”
He added that KP Law’s memorandum was not actionable and was not provided to the council in a reasonable timeframe, leaving members
unable to address it during the Aug. 5 meeting.
Kesselman pointed to the citation of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44, Section 55B in the memorandum as a key legal implication of the ordinance. The law states that the city treasurer must invest funds at the highest possible interest rate reasonably available.
Eckart-Lee argued that the state’s Prudent Investor Act gives municipalities discretion to make investment decisions.
“The problem is that no one has so far provided an actual, actionable, cogent analysis of how the ordinance runs afoul of that — other than to say that it does because it does,” Kesselman said.
Kesselman went on to claim that Lungo-Koehn’s collaboration with council members on the ordinance was in bad faith.
“She’s trying to appeal to reactionaries in Medford by saying no to this and also play the other side by saying, ‘Well, maybe my hands are tied by the state,’ which they’re simply not,” Eckart-Lee said. “She’s hiding behind references to [Massachusetts] general laws because she takes it for granted that Medford residents won’t care enough, or maybe won’t even be smart enough, to read them themselves and form opinions.”
A vote to override the veto was tabled by the Council during a meeting on Oct. 21. However, Eckart-Lee expressed optimism that the ordinance could return for discussion in a future meeting.
“I feel fully optimistic in saying this will be heard in an upcoming City Council meeting, and I feel confident in the members to vote in line with the sort of interests of our new city charter, which is also on the ballot, and promoting a Medford that is able to live its values and put its money where those values are,” Eckart-Lee said.
Yasmin Benitez Staff Writer
ALEXANDER THOMPSON / THE TUFTS DAILY
Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn leads a planning meeting in Medford City Hall on March 11, 2020.
FEATURES
What is Somerville’s plan for the Winter Hill Community Innovation School?
Audrey Peel Deputy Features Editor
Since the Winter Hill Community Innovation School closed in June 2023 after a piece of concrete fell from the ceiling, students have been relocated across the city, continuing their education in temporary spaces. It has been a long journey for the children and their families. After missing four days of school, students were divided among the Capuano Early Childhood Center, Olin Hall at Tufts University and the former Edgerly Education Center. The student body was reunited last fall in the Edgerly building at 8 Bonair St., where they have remained since.
This closure did not come as a complete shock to all. While the specific incident was unforeseen, Courtney Koslow — a Winter Hill parent, member of the school’s governing board and member of the school building committee — had warned the district about maintenance issues just six weeks prior.
“I had been doing some advocacy with other parents and educators around the building in 2022 and 2023, pushing the Somerville Public Schools and the city to apply to the Massachusetts School Board Authority … to get in their queue to be considered for helping offset the cost of a new school in the future,” Koslow said. “We said, ‘There’s going to be a day when this building is going to suddenly be closed for an unexpected emergency. Where are we going to go?’”
After the ceiling tile fell on June 1, 2023, parents were notified that school would be cancelled while a structural review was conducted. Shortly after, the building was deemed unsafe for learning.
Somerville City Councilorat-Large and mayoral candidate Jake Wilson had been advocating for a new school long before the incident.
“In 2021, when I first ran, I did call for building a new school. At the time, prior to the ceiling collapse, it was obvious to me that that building was past its useful life and that we needed to build a new school in the city.”
Since then, Somerville has been working with the MSBA, which may provide up to 50% of project funding. The MSBA requires school districts to follow a nine-step process. Somerville has completed the first two steps — entering the eligibility period and creating a project team, the school building committee, which will serve an advisory role for the duration of the project. The city is now on step three: conducting a feasibility study.
Somerville’s feasibility study is somewhat unusual compared to other MSBA-funded projects. Typically, the MSBA only invites towns to apply for funding to help with the construction of one new school. However, Somerville’s Benjamin Brown School, built in 1900, is older than Winter Hill and will soon be facing similar renovation needs. As a result, the MSBA offered Somerville the option to apply for funding that would address both schools within one project.
“When [the school district] applied for Winter Hill funding, we applied also for Brown in a separate application … and then [Winter Hill’s] ceiling fell,” Koslow explained. “The MSBA said, ‘We will go through this process with you with Winter Hill — not Brown separately — but if you want to combine Winter Hill and Brown in one school, [that would be possible].’”
Mayor Katjana Ballantyne has assigned the question of whether to create one combined school or maintain separate schools to the Construction Advisory Group. They are in the process of assessing those options. The second question they are investigating is where the building would go.
At the group’s most recent meeting on Oct. 27, members reviewed results from a community survey conducted over the summer and fall. The findings indicated that residents oppose building the new school at Trum Field, favoring Winter Hill’s current site at 115 Sycamore St., instead. Additionally, respondents were nearly split between those supporting a 900-seat combined school (41%) and those favoring separate schools (45%).
For Meredith Brown, a Winter Hill parent and member of the Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council, combining schools is an opportunity to address inequities.
“[Inequity] is one factor that makes me lean toward a combined school; I believe we should use this school construction opportunity to reduce inequitable conditions to the extent possible, not preserve them,” Brown wrote in an email to the Daily.
Winter Hill ranks in the ninth accountability percentile — the lowest by far in the district — while Brown ranks in the 91st percentile, the highest. Wilson acknowledged the stark difference in performance between these two schools.
“It’s not a good look for a district when you have that kind of disparity between schools. It just goes to show we have a segregated city,” Wilson said. “[Moving forward] the
key thing is … recognizing that some schools are gonna need more resources than others,” he continued.
Others prefer a smaller-school model, expressing concern that a combined building would be overwhelming for young students.
Rich Raiche, Somerville director of infrastructure and asset management, expressed that the preferred architecture firm for the project, Perkins Eastman, has already considered how to make a large school feel more intimate in initial design concepts.
Koslow, who also serves as vice president of development at Beacon Communities LLC, emphasized the same point.
“Things can be done in the design of the building to make it feel like smaller schools within a school, like breaking up pre-K and K from elementary and from middle school,” she said.
Another concern is that the voices of special education students and other marginalized groups have not been adequately included.
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council, for instance, does not currently have a representative on the Construction Advisory Group.
Under Massachusetts law, every school district must have a SEPAC, which plays an advisory and participatory role in policy and programming.
According to Liz Eldridge, chair of Somerville’s SEPAC and a candidate for the Ward 2 School Committee, the group was not involved in the CAG until Sept.
18, when members were asked to nominate representatives for a 90-minute focus group.
While she expressed gratitude for the inclusion, Eldridge noted that “[SEPAC] being invited to these conversations from the start is what would have been appropriate.”
This issue is especially relevant because Winter Hill houses the AIM program, Somerville’s specialized program for students on the autism spectrum. Unlike other Somerville students, AIM participants do not choose their school — they attend Winter Hill by placement.
Whether the new building will include additional space for special education instruction is part of the planning process. For many, the resources that the new school will offer, including those dedicated to special education, are top priorities.
“I just want to see that our students’ needs are met and that they can be successful within the building, and that they are in a building that is accessible,” Eldridge said.
Currently, the new school is set to be finished in 2031. As planning continues, Winter Hill students remain at the Edgerly Education Center — a setting that parents and teachers say is not ideal for learning.
“I’m far more concerned about current conditions than I am concerned about the new school construction. The Winter Hill teachers and staff are wonderful and are making the best of the inadequate physical
conditions at Edgerly,” Brown wrote in an email to the Daily. Wilson echoed these concerns about both the current facilities and the school’s low accountability scores.
“We need to do better by [the Winter Hill] school community, and it’s going to take both budgetary and curriculum programming improvements there,” Wilson said. “But we can’t sit back and look at what’s happening there and think that it is in any way acceptable.”
Moving forward, the Construction Advisory Group is expected to publish its final report recommending the size and location of the new school on Nov. 24. After that, the project will move into the design and construction phases.
A new mayor will be inaugurated in January, taking the helm of this critical initiative.
Eldridge expressed hope for continued collaboration moving forward.
“I’m hopeful for partnership. I’m hopeful for a proactive approach. I’m hopeful for a mayoral candidate … [that centers] community voices and those of the most historically marginalized,” she said.
Wilson pledged his commitment to accelerating the project if elected.
“What I plan on doing is moving heaven and earth to accelerate this [school construction] because it’s fallen behind the promised schedule. We have three communities who are ahead of us in the MSBA process, and that is a broken promise,” he said.
STELLA JEONG / THE TUFTS DAILY
The West Somerville Neighborhood School playground is pictured.
MEET THE DOG MAYOR BEHIND SOMERVILLE’S MOST IMPORTANT PAW-LICIES
Friday marked an interesting milestone in my journalism career: I conducted my first-ever interview with a dog.
Meet Jake — or, as his constituents affectionately call him, Jake the Dog — Somerville’s first and newly elected dog mayor. A longtime resident with over a decade of experience sniffing out the city’s best parks, Jake knows Somerville inside and out. From meeting neighbors on his daily walks to attending events, he is very active in the community. His owner (and campaign manager), Shani Leichter, spoke to the Daily about Jake’s campaign experience as well as his plans for his mayorship.
The mayoral election was organized by local pet store Scritches & Boops in the Spring Hill area of Somerville.
“The owner [of Scritches & Boops], Michele, decided to run a dog mayor campaign,” Leichter said. “We’ve joked for years that Jake is the dog mayor of Somerville, so he had to throw his hat in the ring.”
Somerville has a large dog community, many of whom are evidently civically engaged. A total of 40 dogs ran for mayor, each with a compelling platform. As a practically lifelong resident of Somerville, Jake’s preexisting relationships with locals and local businesses contributed to his win.
“Jake’s 10 and a half [years old], and he has lived here since he was 11 weeks old,” Leichter said. “I think already having spent 10 years building those relationships was … what set [his campaign] over the top.”
Jake did a lot of boots on the ground campaigning. The hair salons and veterinary office Jake frequents displayed his campaign signage on their front counters. Jake and Leichter also passed out business cards and campaign materials to their favorite local haunts.
“We actually did most of our campaigning on the ground, going out and talking to people. We made up little business card sized-things with a QR code to vote, and we hit up a lot of our regular spots,” Leichter said. “We leveraged those relationships, and it was really cool to see how many people were so invested in Jake and in his campaign.”
Campaigns ran for approximately six weeks, and voting was completed via Google Forms. Jake ultimately emerged victorious.
His campaign, much like that of the other dogs in the race, focused on issues relevant to Somerville dogs and dogs in general.
“Jake’s official campaign issues were more dog friendly places, greater access to treats and promoting rescuing,” Leichter said.
Jake himself is a rescue, so Leichter cares deeply about promoting pet adoption out of shelters.
“We’re always promoting adoption and rescues,” she said. “There [are] so many dogs that need homes. And [Jake is] the best dog ever, [so] he’s a good ambassador for that.”
Jake also cares a lot about supporting local businesses. In fact, two of Jake’s favorite treat brands are Boston-based.
“We like to support local businesses. Polkadog is definitely [a favorite] and
then 2 Dogs Treats out of Dorchester has been our staple for him since he was like a baby,” Leichter said.
Jake also frequents small businesses in and around Somerville, either just to pop in or to sit on the patio.
“We love Vinal Bakery, Colette Bakery and 3 Little Figs, and a lot of the breweries around are really chill,” Leichter said. “We like Bow Market. [Jake] likes it because there [are] always crumbs.”
As mayor, Jake is expanding upon his original platform and is taking real-time issues in Somerville into consideration.
“We’re all really nervous about the shutdown and the loss of SNAP, and stuff like that impacts people’s animals too,” Leichter said. “Trying to make sure that we can support people in taking care of their pets so they don’t have to rehome them or surrender them is probably a really big issue for Jake at the moment.”
Leichter said life hasn’t changed too much for Jake since
becoming mayor, but he’s been keeping busy. Public appearances are becoming routine.
“He is judging [the Lincoln Park] dog costume contest,” she said. “We’re also gonna do some fundraising for the [Somerville Animal] Food Pantry.”
Jake also hopes to gather dog toys for local shelters, especially in advance of the holiday season.
Jake recently appointed a cabinet of dogs who were involved in the mayoral election. Sisters Missy and Luna are now co-directors of diversity, equity and inclusion, Cali is chief of rat control (she’s allegedly killed 66 rats) and Jess is head of raccoon enforcement.
“There were so many dogs that were interested in running, and everyone had such a good time with it,” Leichter said. “So, we named a cabinet this week to get more people involved.”
Leichter cited the dog mayoral race as a source of joy in the community.
“It was such a nice distraction from all the heaviness of the world right now,” she said. “It was really cool to just see how many people showed up for Jake.”
The election also demonstrated Somerville’s tradition of civic engagement for both people and now dogs.
“There was definitely a reflection of Somerville’s kind of overall community values and activism,” Leichter said.
Jake is personable, popular and pretty well-rounded. He enjoys both the beach and the mountains, both bodies of water and city streets.
“He’s really a very laidback, up-for-anything kind of guy,” Leichter said.
We interviewed on Halloween, and I complimented Jake’s skeleton-patterned bandana. Jake, though, ever-professional, was only dressed casually because of the holiday.
“Normally he would wear a bow tie for a formal interview,” Leichter said.
CLAIRE QUIRK WOOD / THE TUFTS DAILY
Jake’s official Somerville Dog Mayor tag is pictured.
CLAIRE QUIRK WOOD / THE TUFTS DAILY
Jake the Dog is pictured.
Claire Quirk Wood Features Editor
ARTS & POP CULTURE
How social media is shaping political discourse
Bhavana Etikela Contributing Writer
In the 2024 presidential debate between former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, it became clear that political discourse in America had fully merged with internet culture. Within minutes of the debate’s broadcast, TikTok and X were flooded with short clips. Biden’s frail voice and empty-eyed stare sparked jokes about him needing “a cough drop,” an energy drink or even Adderall, with one user quipping, “They accidentally injected Biden with ketamine instead of adrenaline.” Memes compared his expressions to a dog caught misbehaving or someone seeing ghosts.
Trump, meanwhile, became a target for mockery over vague or provocative comments, like blaming former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the Jan. 6, 2021, attack or claiming migrants were “taking away” Black and Hispanic jobs, sparking memes imagining how one might search for a ‘Black job’ on LinkedIn. The debate was supposed to be an important and informative exchange between two presidential candidates. Instead, it was raw material for entertainment. The comment sections were filled less with political discussion and more with humor — people weren’t debating who ‘won,’ but who was more of a joke.
This debate underscored a larger truth about the current state of American politics: It no longer lives primarily on television screens or in post-debate analysis by pundits. It will forever live in the world of the internet, where ordinary users serve as editors, comedians and commentators all at once. The audience doesn’t just consume politics — it reshapes it. And sometimes, that means politics becomes a joke.
This phenomenon unfolded in New York this past month. If the Biden-Trump debates revealed
how national politics could be reduced to a meme, the 2025 New York City mayoral debate confirmed that the same logic now governs local races as well.
The mayoral debate was meant to be a serious policy exchange between candidates Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. However, it quickly turned into nothing more than a joke, where each candidate brought their own distinct brand of meme-worthy moments: Sliwa’s reference to being shot five times, Cuomo’s relentless attempts to cut Mamdani down, Mamdani’s steady, composed demeanor that stood in stark contrast to the surrounding chaos. Social media users reenacted moments, added captions and layered dramatic music over everything.
Sliwa, whose decades-old shooting while entering a stolen taxi in Manhattan became his political persona, was the clearest example of this phenomenon. During the debate, his personal story unintentionally became a running joke. Regardless of the topic, Sliwa repeatedly found ways to steer the conversation back to the shooting. Social media quickly filled with memes and skits mocking how he would randomly bring up dramatic moments — like being shot — no matter the topic. TikTok users recreated the debate, exaggerating his habit of steering every answer back to his own story. His personal anecdote, meant to show resilience, ended up turning into a punchline.
If Sliwa played the role of comic relief, Cuomo played the antagonist. Having spent a few years out of the political spotlight following his resignation as governor amid sexual harassment allegations, Cuomo returned to the stage determined to prove that experience still carried weight. Unfortunately, his aggression became his undoing. Throughout the debate,
he interrupted Mamdani, dismissed his points and launched a series of attacks on his résumé.
“You have never had a job,” Cuomo snapped at one point. It didn’t land the way he expected. People online started making videos recreating the debate, exaggerating Cuomo’s interruptions and his aggressive backand-forth with Mamdani. TikTok users acted out the moment, mocking Cuomo’s intensity while showing Mamdani staying calm, turning the confrontation into a kind of online parody. In these videos, Cuomo’s attempts to assert authority just made him look desperate and sound silly. Cuomo’s strategy backfired during a heated exchange about experience and integrity. After the former mayor attempted to portray Mamdani as inexperienced, Mamdani responded, “What I lack in experience I make up for in integrity — and what you don’t have in integrity, you could never make up for in experience.” The exchange
quickly circulated online. Clips of the moment were shared widely, often edited with music or visual effects, turning Mamdani’s measured response into a widely recognized highlight of the debate.
The 2025 NYC mayoral debate showed how deeply politics has become tied to the internet. What happens on stage no longer stays there — it’s broken down, rewatched and reshaped online. Mamdani’s calm presence fit naturally into the internet’s rhythm, turning him into an easy protagonist for memes. Cuomo’s more aggressive approach didn’t land the same way. His attempts to control the conversation only made him part of the joke. Social media didn’t just amplify moments: It reframed how voters perceive candidates. Clips, GIFS and parodies can outlast speeches or policy proposals, turning fleeting gestures into lasting impressions. A single awkward pause, a sharp rebuttal or an exaggerated facial expression can
define a candidate’s public image more than their entire platform. The debate highlighted that online audiences define politics these days — they interpret, satirize and circulate content, shaping narratives in ways campaigns cannot fully control.
To be honest, you didn’t even really need to watch the debate –– social media would have informed you of everything you needed to know anyways.
The meme-ification of debates showcases how campaigns now depend less on experience or policy and more on whether a candidate can survive — and maybe even thrive — within the internet’s ever-changing landscape. Mamdani’s ability to lean into that culture worked to his advantage, lending him public favor. Cuomo’s missteps showed how easily authority can collapse into parody. In the end, the debate wasn’t just about who could lead New York City. It was also about who could handle being turned into content.
Artist Bianca Broxton returns to Medford to remember Belinda Sutton, an enslaved woman, for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution
Sitting in a mildly cramped, dimly lit room, I, along with several other guests from the Medford area, waited with bated breath for School of the Museum of Fine Arts alum Bianca Broxton’s performance. A hush quickly spread throughout the room as Broxton entered dressed in a floor-length gown, white stockings, a white veil covering her face and a white headwrap on her head.
The obfuscation of her features represented the lost records of countless enslaved people, not
only across the nation, but particularly here in Medford. Throughout the performance, Broxton played a looping tape which recited the names of women and girls, all of whom, as she revealed, had been enslaved in Medford: “Kate, Mira, Nan, Nancy, Nancy, Nanny, Negro Girl, Negro Woman, Phebe, Present, Prine, Priscilla …” and so on. The repetition was almost hypnotic, forcing me into a meditative state. Broxton said she wanted audience members to hear these names again and again so that “when we’re done, [these names] come with [us].” Starting in the
far-right corner of the room, Broxton moved between audience members during the recitations, stopping in front of each guest — a direct confrontation. When she paused, she would pose and gesture fancifully, evoking the portrait traditions of wealthy white people of the time. Sometimes she gestured delicately with her hands; other times she stood proud with her hands on her hips. When she came to me, she was practically standing on top of me. I felt uncomfortable with this personal confrontation in the full room — my chest tightened, and I had to stop myself
from looking at anything but her. The veil over her face was pulled taut, and the impression of her eyes was enough to make me feel the full weight of her gaze.
The Medford Historical Society & Museum’s ongoing exhibition “The Ongoing American Revolution” reflects on how the core values of the Revolution continue to resonate in the modern era, particularly for immigrants.
The first non-European immigrants to what would become the United States were, though unwillingly, Africans. Forced aboard slave ships and across the Atlantic, many lost their lives, their
connections to their homes and their sense of self. Belinda Sutton was one such enslaved woman who worked for Medford’s Royall family on their estate. The Royalls made their fortune trading rum, sugar and enslaved people. In Massachusetts, they became one of the wealthiest families in the colonies, and their home still stands today as a museum. The Royalls fled to England following the outbreak of the American Revolution, and Sutton was emancipated. When slavery ended in Massachusetts in 1783, she petitioned the Massachusetts General Court to be granted a pension
VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Protesters holding placards march through the streets of New York City during the “No Kings” protests.
Isadora Alexis Contributing Writer
from the proceeds of the Royalls’ estate and was granted it as reparation for her over 50 years of unpaid servitude. Many of you might have seen the Royall House and Slave Quarters in passing; it’s only a five-minute walk from campus. But how many have ever stepped inside?
Broxton grew up in Medford, often walking past the Royall House without much awareness of what it actually was — a museum and memorial of the practice of slavery in Massachusetts. She shared that she discovered Sutton’s story at the age of 28 and, learning her story, she wanted to create a piece that would pay homage to her. She decided that the best way to do this was to physically embody her. If you visit the Medford Historical Society & Museum while the exhibition is still up, you will see a panel that includes details on Sutton and, vitally, how she is visually remembered: as a simple silhouette of a woman in a head-
wrap. This explains Broxton’s decision to conceal her features.
“The Ongoing American Revolution” exhibit asks, “How do core values of the American Revolution — people’s determination to reject oppression and hardship and courageously head into uncharted territory — echo today in the stories of recent and current migrants to Medford?” Broxton’s performance offers an answer: a full-bodied honoring of Sutton, marking her deep significance to Medford’s history. Broxton brings life to a figure who was stolen from Africa at the age of 12 and later took agency over her life by becoming one of the first people in America to receive reparations for slavery. As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, Broxton’s performance compels us to ask: What can we stand to learn from the voices of our past — and how should we implement that learning going forward?
ISADORA ALEXIS / THE TUFTS DAILY
The exhibition is pictured.
SUDOKU
53 ___ kwon do
Five’ by Ezra Holzapfel
‘That’s Nuts!’ by Shayna Levy
Difficulty Level: Walking to class in the rain.
Op-ed: Please vote No on Question 3 in Somerville
OPINION
Op-ed: Somerville Jews say vote Yes on Question 3
Originally published Nov. 3.
We are writing to respectfully ask that voters across Somerville vote “no” on Question 3.
This ballot question does nothing to constructively help Palestinians and instead hurts our neighbors — and our city itself. Implementing the question is illegal, sows division in our community and diverts attention and resources from urgent issues facing our city.
It’s illegal. The basis of Question 3 is discriminatory and has even been deemed likely illegal by the deputy city solicitor because it intrudes on federal commerce power and may encroach on local businesses’ First Amendment rights. With the rise in antisemitism nationwide, this ballot question raises deep concerns among many of the Jewish neighbors who call Somerville home. It would unfairly discriminate, invite lawsuits and waste city resources.
It sows division in our community.
Somerville United Against Discrimination ”
local government should not be focused on foreign policy questions that turn neighbors against neighbors — and that make it harder to address these pressing problems.
“ ”
“ With the rise in antisemitism nationwide, this ballot question raises deep concerns among many of the Jewish neighbors who call Somerville home. It would unfairly discriminate, invite lawsuits and waste city resources. This ballot question does nothing to constructively help Palestinians and instead hurts our neighbors — and our city itself.
Signature collectors have allegedly been overheard describing the ballot measure as a divestment from Jewish businesses. At a time when the inclusive and welcoming nature of our country is being challenged, is this what we want Somerville to be known for?
It diverts attention and resources from urgent local issues. Somerville families are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. Immigrants from all walks of life and countries of origin are being deported from our streets. Our schools and health care are at risk from federal budget cuts. Our
Supporters of the ballot measure claim they are only asking Somerville to boycott companies that “engage in business that sustains Israel’s apartheid, genocide and illegal occupation of Palestine.” But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The national boycott movement also targets construction equipment manufacturers like Volvo; tech companies like Dell, Microsoft, Google, Apple and Intel; Teva Pharmaceuticals (maker of a generic Narcan); Amazon; Disney; McDonald’s; CocaCola. The list goes on.
Supporters of the ballot measure are already attempting to block a new partnership between Massachusetts and the Israeli medical center Sheba — a collaboration aimed at helping startups develop lifesaving innovations in radiology, stroke treatment, cancer care, heart surgery and more. The language of the ballot measure is so vague and broad that the city might be unable to work with anyone affiliated with these companies. Students could lose their HP Chromebooks. The city might not be able to rebuild the Winter Hill Community School, repair our streets or build new bike lanes. The city could be forced to operate without Microsoft, Google or Apple technology — and would lose the opportunity to be part of the next wave of job-creating, lifesaving healthcare innovations.
Let’s not drive people apart. Let’s keep Somerville moving forward. Please vote “no” on Question 3. Signed by 74 members of the Somerville community.
Members of the Somerville Jewish Community
Originally publised Oct. 29.
Dear neighbors,
As Jews, we have a unique relationship to the genocide in Palestine. We watch as the Israeli military murders, starves and displaces Palestinians, all while speaking the language in which we pray.
We carry the trauma of genocide in our collective memory. We know from our ancestors what it feels like to lose entire generations. Because of this, we hold steady our moral obligation to do everything in our power to stop the genocide. As Somerville Jews, we demand that our taxpayer money be divested from companies that are complicit in such atrocities.
On Tuesday, we have the chance to vote yes to divest. Many of us in Somerville have worked tirelessly to place this question on the ballot. The current Palestinian solidarity ballot question reads as follows:
“Shall the Mayor of Somerville and all Somerville elected leaders be instructed to end all current city business and prohibit future city investments and contracts with companies as long as such companies engage in business that sustains Israel’s apartheid, genocide, and illegal occupation of Palestine?”
It is undeniable that Israel is committing genocide, apartheid and illegal occupation in Palestine.
Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of a group of people because of their ethnicity, nationality, religion or race. Using American taxpayer money, Israel has killed over 67,000 people and injured nearly 170,000 in the Gaza Strip — over 18,000 of the dead being children — and continues to bomb, starve and forcibly displace Palestinians with impunity. Many human rights groups, including the United Nations, Israeli organizations and many others, have declared this a genocide.
As of Oct. 9, Israel has agreed to a ceasefire. We celebrate as families are reunited, and we hope for a lasting and permanent peace. However, in the days since the ceasefire, atrocities have continued. Journalists and civilians are still being killed. Palestinians continue to starve due to Israel’s decision to only allow half of the promised aid in.
As we keep our eyes on Palestine, we recognize that the
dehumanization and oppression of Palestinians will not end with a ceasefire. Rather, the apartheid legal system in Israel will need to be dismantled.
Apartheid is a crime against humanity under international criminal law. Under Israeli law, Palestinians have different rights depending on where they live, but Palestinians everywhere under Israel’s control have lesser rights than Jewish Israelis. For example, many cannot drive on Israeli streets or own, build or renovate homes in certain areas. Many in Israel’s Occupied Territories cannot vote, cannot dissent or protest, cannot gain residency or citizenship through marriage and are subject to many more practices of segregation and oppression. Even when these rights are available in theory, in practice, Palestinians are faced with immense challenges and discrimination that effectively invalidate those rights. These practices are clear examples of apartheid. In 2024, the International Court of Justice released an advisory opinion declaring that Israel’s laws in the OPT constitute “systemic discrimination.”
The government of Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces and Israeli settlers have, for decades, taken control of Palestinian-owned homes and livelihoods using armed vehicles and machinery, violent aggression by soldiers, settler-armed violence and verbal and physical intimidation, all in violation of international law. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice declared the occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to be illegal.
What companies are we talking about divesting from?
Somerville maintains contracts with the IT company Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which is complicit in Israeli apartheid. HP provides servers for Israel’s Aviv System, which defines the rights of Palestinians through the ethnically-segregated ID card system, allowing for systematic violence and discrimination. HP also provides other services and technology to the IDF.
Somerville has awarded $1.7 million to HP in contracts within the last 10 years.
Lockheed Martin provides weapons, fighter jets and other equipment to Israel. Israel uses the company’s F-15 and F-35 fighter jets to drop bombs on Gazans, their homes and their land. Israel has
made extensive use of Lockheed Martin’s (LM) AGM-114 Hellfire missiles in the process of destroying more than 92% of residential buildings in Gaza.
Somerville’s municipal employees’ Pension Fund, as of a 2024 public records request, is invested in 1,222 shares of LM, amounting to $553,859.28 invested in this weapons manufacturer.
Somerville Jews demand a free Palestine.
As we have watched the deliberate starvation and bombing of men, women and children in Palestine, it’s no wonder that a growing number of Americans want Israel to end its military actions. That number includes many thousands of Jewish-American refugees and descendants of refugees, who believe that “never again” means never again for anyone.
A Washington Post survey from September found 61% of American Jews say Israel has committed war crimes and almost 40% say Israel is guilty of genocide. Right here in Somerville, 170 Jewish Somerville residents have signed our Jewish solidarity letter condemning Israel’s violence, and dozens attend our standouts every month.
As Somerville mayoral candidate and current City Councilor, Willie Burnley Jr. stated: “When we say speaking out against a genocide is antisemitism, we do a huge disservice — not only to the folks who have fought for freedom and dignity for all people who are Jewish — but also for people who said ‘never again.’”
How can I support Ballot Question 3?
Pledge to vote “Yes” on Question 3. Volunteer to knock on doors with us to get out the vote. Donate to the campaign. Most of all, please vote YES to DIVEST!
As Jews, we have a unique responsibility to stand up against the starvation of the people of Gaza, because Israel is committing these atrocities in our name. As this genocide has been carried out using American weapons and tax dollars, all Americans have a responsibility to stand up against this horror.
We call on all our neighbors: Now is the time to vote to remove our tax dollars from the Israeli genocide and apartheid of Palestine.
In solidarity,
Members of the Somerville Jewish Community
Signed by 84 Jewish Somerville residents.
The Tufts Daily is a nonprofit, independent newspaper, published Monday through Friday during the academic year and distributed free of charge to the Tufts community. The content of letters, advertisements, signed columns, cartoons and graphics does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Tufts Daily editorial board.
EDITORIALS: Editorials represent the position of The Tufts Daily Editorial Board. Individual editorialists are not necessarily responsible for, or in agreement with, the policies and editorials of The Editorial Board. Editorials are submitted for review to The Tufts Daily Executive Board before publication.
VIEWPOINTS AND COLUMNS: Viewpoints and columns represent the opinions of individual Opinion editors, staff writers, contributing writers and columnists for the Daily’s Opinion section. Positions published in Viewpoints and columns are the opinions of the writers who penned them alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily itself. All material is subject to editorial discretion.
OP-EDS: Op-Eds provide an open forum for campus editorial commentary and are published Monday through Friday. The Daily welcomes submissions from all members of the Tufts community; the opinions expressed in the Op-Ed section do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily itself. Opinion articles on campus, national and international issues should be 600 to 1,200 words in length and submitted to opinion@tuftsdaily.com. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, space and length. All material is subject to editorial discretion and is not guaranteed to appear in the Daily. Authors must submit their telephone numbers and day-of availability for editing questions. ADVERTISEMENTS: All advertising copy is subject to the approval of the editor in chief, executive
Originally published Oct. 29. Nov. 4 can’t come fast enough. As a lifelong Medford resident, homeowner and taxpayer, I say this with the best of intentions: It’s been a long couple of years, and I’m ready for change.
Medford might not look special to everyone, but I assure you, it’s a mystical place. Our river is appropriately named. It’s not the buildings, the trees, the brick walls or the broken sidewalks; that stuff is all temporary. What lasts is the spirit of the people who live here, who show up, who care. That’s the real foundation of Medford. That’s what makes it magical. We might not be
Op-ed: The debate that holds us together
made of granite, but we’re made of something stronger: grit, heart and hope. This summer, my husband and I made it a priority to meet and get to know the new candidates. We spent a lot of time doing so, and it was worth every minute.
Nick Giurleo was the first candidate we met. He impressed us greatly. He’s smart, polite, articulate, driven and genuinely cares about this city. He’s already served Medford immensely as a private citizen, especially through his work uncovering and analyzing the Tufts PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) program. What stood out most? He never spoke ill of anyone, only of moving forward. That’s honor.
Paul Donato Jr. has been consistent from day one. His focus lies in restoring Medford by tackling projects he believes he can deliver. He wants to help, and I believe he can and will. This is his home too. He’s so neighborly, even if you’re not his neighbor, and it shows in his interactions.
Nate Merritt has lived here for over a decade, bought a home and is raising his young children here. He shows up to council meetings, listens and contributes, always with a smile and even a joke. That alone speaks volumes. He’s sharp, solution-oriented and kind-hearted.
These three gentlemen took the time — a lot of time — to sit, talk and listen with us. They
brought back that feeling of local service, which is the magic I’m talking about.
City officials aren’t lawmakers; they’re stewards of the laws our state legislature has already passed. Their job is to serve, not politicize.
The tribal-style legislative process we’ve witnessed at City Hall in recent years has been exhausting and, frankly, hard to watch — which is likely the reason for such low public engagement. There is no real debate, only commentary followed by a predictable slate vote. Maybe it happened because we were too busy, too distracted or not paying close enough attention. But it’s clear: This isn’t working.
Where are the women?
Originally published Oct. 26.
The class of 2026 at Tufts School of Engineering is 49% women. Yet, the department faculty is only approximately 35% women. The distribution of faculty rank reveals an even greater divide, with each increase in professorial position leading to a decrease in the percentage of women faculty. Approximately 45% of Tufts SOE assistant professors are women, a percentage that drops to approximately 25% for associate professors and 23% full-time professors. This begs the question: Why are female-identifying professors underrepresented in the Tufts SOE?
One possible explanation is that women simply haven’t had enough time to ‘catch up’ to their male counterparts in higher
academia. The first woman to graduate from Tufts SOE was Charlotte Taylor, who received her diploma in 1943, 78 years after Tufts first introduced a three-year degree program in civil engineering in 1865. The first woman SOE faculty member, Edith Linwood Bush, joined the faculty in 1922, 24 years after the SOE was officially established as a distinct school within the University. The gender gap in the makeup of today’s faculty could therefore be a consequence of men’s head start in Tufts’ engineering.
Even if the gender gap in faculty could in part be explained by the head start given to male academics, this explanation fails to capture the full picture. In a 2018 Pew Research Study, 39% of U.S. adults attributed the lack of women in STEM fields to a cultural issue in which women are not encouraged to pursue STEM
subjects at an early age. A 2023 paper by UCLA Anderson’s Sherry Jueyu Wu and Xiamen University’s Xiqian Cai, “Adding Up Peer Beliefs: Experimental and Field Evidence on the Effects of Peer Influence on Math Performance,” explores the impact of the belief that ‘boys are innately better than girls at math’ on middle school children’s mathematics performance. They found that exposure to this belief resulted in a decrease in math performance for girls, and an increase for boys. This suggests an exposure to gendered beliefs around STEM subjects at a young age could have direct impacts on girls, developing a perceived inherent inferiority in comprehending science, technology, engineering and math subjects. This results in decreased performance in such subjects. This all works to discourage girls from further pursuing STEM in higher academia.
Furthermore, women disproportionately report having experienced workplace discrimination in STEM jobs. According to a 2017 Pew Research study, 50% of surveyed women in STEM reported experiencing gender discrimination at work, in stark contrast to 19% of surveyed men. This could also, in part, explain the drop in percentage of women faculty from assistant to associate and full-time professor in the Tufts SOE. Women assistant professors may experience gender discrimination throughout their careers and thus could be discouraged from furthering their careers in higher academia. This potentially explains why there is a sharper drop in the percentage of women faculty between assistant professor and associate professor, compared to associate professor to full-time professor. Assistant professors who may have experienced gender discrimination and who became
When I say Medford is mystical, I don’t mean we can wave a wand and legislate Harry Potterstyle or fix everything at once with a wish. I mean we have something special here, something worth protecting. And it starts with electing people who care, who listen and who show up every week, not just to fill a chair but to make a real effort. Not all of the incumbents and long-time councilors need an endorsement. We know who they are, and they hold their own. This isn’t a discount to them, or any other candidate. For us, these three have what it takes, and they’re getting our vote. We hope they get yours too. Medford needs its soul back. Let’s redeem it together one debate at a time. We are Medford.
associate professors may be less likely to be deterred from becoming full-time professors due to gender discrimination. Although women faculty are underrepresented in the Tufts SOE, the SOE is generally superior in its gender equity compared to its counterparts. According to a 2006 paper introduced at the Cornell Higher Education Research Institute, the Tufts SOE has an above-average record nationally of employing and educating women, and women faculty retention. The paper credits this to the school’s commitment to bringing gender representation to upper-level positions and providing programs and recruitment to target women in STEM. Indeed, the percentages of women assistant, associate and full-time professors have improved since this paper was written — at the time of publishing, 36% of assistant professors, 17% of associate professors, and 18% of full-time professors identified as female. These increases in percentages may suggest that the support the Tufts SOE is providing to women faculty members is helping remediate lost time and the underlying cultural issue surrounding women in STEM. However, the paper credits a large part of this better-than-average gender representation in Tufts SOE to its close integration with the School of Arts and Sciences, suggesting there may still be some fundamental flaws within the culture of the Tufts SOE that discourage women faculty growth.
Ultimately, many of the factors influencing the lack of women in STEM are out of an individual’s control. At Tufts, there are many ways for women engineers to find community through programs like the Society of Women Engineers, involvement in a female professor’s lab and programs like Girls In Stem. However, to address the underlying issue, both men and women should challenge their biases by supporting women’s presence in STEM spaces.
Alexis Nuzzo
Brooke Li Staff Writer
RACHEL LIU / THE TUFTS DAILY
The Tsungming Tu Complex, home to the School of Engineering, is pictured on Jan. 15.
How environmental science informs environmental policy
William Nguyen Staff Writer
In recent years, the United States has faced rising concerns regarding climate change. Communities across the country have noted an increase in wildfires, heat waves and powerful hurricanes. These challenges have spurred debate among legislators, scientists and community members about how to maintain human livelihood while addressing issues such as biodiversity loss and pollution.
Origins of environmental policy in the United States
Environmental science in government policy has roots dating back to the mid-20th century. Americans began to have conversations about protecting the environment in the ’60s. Concerns about pollution,
However, that 1955 legislation dealt only with monitoring and research. The first legislation concerning the control and regulation of air pollution did not come until the Clean Air Act of 1963, which led to the establishment of a federal program in conjunction with the U.S. Public Health Service. The 1967 Air Quality Act later placed primary responsibility for air pollution problems on state and local governments, though “the federal government could step in if the state failed to adequately act on its own.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was established in December 1970, following congressional approval of a reorganization plan proposed by former President Richard Nixon. Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970 not only contained guidelines for the establishment of
tion was the Clean Air Act of 1970, later amended in 1977 and 1990, which regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. The act establishes a national right to safe air, preventing polluting industries from simply relocating to more rural areas.
Some of the earliest research conducted by the EPA involved studying photochemical reactions of emitted chemicals, which led to further research on the correlation between ozone concentration and health effects. Over the following decades, research confirmed a clear link between ozone levels and adverse health outcomes.
Particulate matter, or soot, was also studied — generated from vehicles, industry, wildfires and “other combustion-related sources.” This led the EPA to issue the first air quality standards for fine particulate
stricter standards for emission sources than those required at the federal level.
One goal of the EPA was to set and achieve National Ambient Air Quality Standards for six principal criteria air pollutants: nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone and lead. This could be achieved through state implementation plans by enforcing pollutant standards within each state.
frequent and intense wildfires across parts of the United States.
Wildfire smoke is now one of the largest and fastest-growing sources of air pollution in the country, serving as the leading source of particulate pollution (PM2.5) in the western United States. It accounts for roughly 50–75% of annual PM2.5 emission and contains the same pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act.
In 2007, the Supreme Court’s ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA determined that greenhouse gases are regulated under the Clean Air Act, giving the EPA authority to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. This decision significantly expanded the agency’s authority beyond traditional air pollution to include climate change mitigation.
In response to evolving air quality standards, EPA researchers implemented Federal Reference Methods and Federal Equivalent Methods to measure air quality
The federal government sets national air quality standards, but state and tribal governments must enact and enforce those standards themselves. Each state can set
A typical state implementation plan generally contains three main components: state-adopted control measures such as statutes and regulations; “non-regulatory” components or additional provisions required by the EPA; and plans for maintenance and enforcement. The EPA collaborates closely with state and local agencies throughout the development of these plans. Once a state implementation plan, or a portion of it, receives EPA approval, its control measures become federally enforceable.
If a state agency fails to submit an acceptable plan — or if the EPA disapproves the submission — the agency is required to establish a Federal Implementation Plan to ensure compliance with national air quality standards.
Current issues and actions
While significant improvements in air quality followed the Clean Air Act and its amendments, environmental challenges persist. In the late ’90s, transitions in climate cycles — coupled with ongoing changes in temperature, drought and snowmelt — likely contributed to conditions fueling more
Autumn interrupted by nature’s challenges
The vibrant transformation of leaves into shades of red, orange and yellow marks the transition from summer into the cooler months. With Boston ranked among the most beautiful autumn cities, its fall foliage is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists. This season, however, the picturesque scenery is threatened by increasing environmental stressors on the region’s trees.
In an interview with Steve Kendall, an International Society of Arboriculturecertified arborist and district manager at Hartney Greymont, a Massachusetts tree and landscaping company, we discussed local tree health and its effects on the vibrancy of fall foliage. Boston’s most common fall foliage species include maples, oaks, ashes and beeches. The sugar maple — “a classic New England foliage tree,” according to Kendall — has been plagued by anthracnose, an early-season leaf disease. “When we have the right sort of confluence of circumstances early in the spring, with a temperature and moisture content that lines up with
the development of anthracnose, that gets onto the leaves and makes the trees photosynthesize less efficiently,” Kendall said. This disease has lasting effects on local trees because it can persist between growing seasons. Severe infections may lead to premature defoliation, meaning the trees shed their leaves earlier than normal.
Greymont has also seen a rise in beech leaf disease, which involves microscopic worms that damage beech tree leaves and trigger bud damage and deformities such as changes in leaf texture and dark stripes in the veins. Once a tree is infested, there is no known cure, and extreme cases result in tree death. Similarly, ash trees have been affected by pest infestations by the emerald ash borer. This invasive beetle lays its eggs in bark crevices, and once hatched, the larvae bore into the tree and feed on the inner bark and phloem. Because the inner bark of trees does not grow back, the trees lose access to food and water, making them more brittle and susceptible to damage. Drought in the greater Boston area is another major stressor affecting tree health. Rainfall totals have been 40–80% of normal precipitation across
Massachusetts for the past three months, and Kendall noted that drought “interrupts a lot of those normal biological processes that trees require to remain healthy.”
Water shortages contribute to decreased turgor pressure, causing leaves to wilt and drop prematurely. Kendall explained that adverse environmental conditions also contribute to marginal leaf scorch, a condition in which “the edges of leaves brown and curl up.” In the long run, trees may experience crown death. While it is normal for trees to wall off branches that are not photosynthesizing enough to sustain themselves — known as interior deadwood — this typically occurs in branches lacking sufficient sunlight and water. Decay that begins from the top down or outside in, known as dieback, further weakens the tree’s structure. For deciduous trees, these factors mean that there will be a shorter and less vibrant foliage season because of premature coloration and defoliation.
Since it takes multiple seasons for trees to recover from drought, there are expected to be impacts on leaf out and tree development next spring. Due to the drought and shortened fall season, some trees may not leaf
Following the decision, the EPA introduced several initiatives, including the Clean Power Plan, which established a national carbon dioxide emissions performance rate for power plants. While fossil fuels will continue to be an important source for the nation’s energy, the Clean Power Plan ensures that power plants operate in a more efficient and climate-friendly manner.
The history of environmental policy in the United States highlights the intersection between science and legislation and their combined ability to confront complex environmental issues. Despite ongoing challenges, the foundational decades of research and policy enactment provide hope for a sustainable future.
out next year. During fall, trees convert and store energy in their roots as starch in preparation for winter. Because premature leaf drop limited photosynthesis this season, many trees will enter spring with insufficient energy to set buds and renew growth.
As diseases, pests and drought continue to threaten local trees, the changing leaves serve as a visible reminder of the environ-
mental challenges that the trees have been facing each year. In the spring, we can look forward to renewal and fresh growth, observing the resilience of trees as buds emerge and canopies fill in again. Yet beneath this renewal, we should recognize that many trees are still recovering from the lingering effects of past stresses and adapting to new ones.
VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The United States Capitol is pictured.
Michelle Zhu Contributing Writer
SAMANTHA POKORNY / THE TUFTS DAILY President’s Lawn is pictured in the fall.
SPORTS
Volleyball upsets Wesleyan in 5-set thriller
Morgan Baudler Staff Writer
Tufts came out victorious after five close sets in their match against No. 14 Wesleyan on Friday. Tufts won 25–22, 25–21, 25–21, 25–22, 15–12 in its final regular season game. The Jumbos entered the match at No. 4 in the NESCAC rankings. They handed Wesleyan, No. 1 in the NESCAC, its only conference loss of the season.
“Going into this match, we really focused on embracing the opportunity to play against a strong opponent who would help us level up our game. We knew that we would have to execute efficiently in order to succeed and limit our unforced errors,” head coach Cora Thompson wrote in an email to the Daily.
Tufts got out to a strong start, winning the first 4 points with three kills from sophomore opposite hitter Maiwenn Kamdje and a stuff block. Wesleyan responded with hard swings and closed in on Tufts, narrowing the score to 10–9.
A serving run from first-year outside hitter Amanda Freehill put the Jumbos up 14–9 and forced a Cardinals timeout. Both teams stayed aggressive, taking big swings and putting up strong blocks. A 6–2 run from the Cardinals tied the set at 19–19.
Junior opposite hitter Emma Heckman, Kamdje and junior middle hitter Bridget Lonergan all had big kills late in the set to put the Jumbos up 23–20. Junior setter Rianna Liu scored on a setter dump to give Tufts set point. The Cardinals fought back, bringing the score to 24–22, but they couldn’t find an answer for Kamdje, who recorded six kills in the first set.
It was an impressive start for the Jumbos, who successfully held the lead the entire set. The Jumbos defense held the Cardinals to a 0.094 hitting percentage, compared to Tufts’ .244.
Neither team found its rhythm early in the second set, trading points to 7–7. The Jumbos then let a few balls fall, allowing the Cardinals to go on a 6–0 run. A kill from senior middle hitter Julia Griffiths ended the streak, and the teams continued to trade points.
A kill in the middle from Heckman began a much needed run for the Jumbos. Junior outside hitter Claire Castor served four straight points, closing the gap to 19–16. Kills from Lonergan and Kamdje, along with a rally-ending block from Lonergan, gave Tufts another 4–0 run.
Tufts, however, was unable to find the floor for the rest of the set. The Cardinals responded with a 4–0 run of their own to end the set 25–21.
An ace, an error and an overpass gave the Cardinals an early lead in the third, but a service error gave the Jumbos the chance to respond. A Castor kill and a Freehill ace tied the score at 3–3.
The set remained tight, but a 6–1 Tufts run highlighted by two Freehill aces put Tufts up 15–12.
Late in the set, the Jumbos spread its offense well, with kills from Castor, Kamdje, junior middle hitter Akpevwe Akpoigbe and sophomore outside hitter Ruby Flath.
Tufts built a 20–17 lead but couldn’t hold on. Unforced errors proved costly as Wesleyan went on an 8–1 run to take the third set 21–25.
The Jumbos got back on track early in the fourth set. Flath found the back line for a kill, and Liu dropped an ace to put Tufts up 2–0. A 3–0 run with
Baseball is a truly evil sport.
I have chosen to open my column with this sentence for many reasons, which I will try to sum up here in terms of my horrific experience with the 2025 MLB season.
Reason 1: The bad guys won again. It was close this time, sure, but that doesn’t change the fact that the 25.98 million people who tuned in to Saturday’s World Series Game 7 were forced to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers — the reigning champions, with the league’s largest payroll — lift yet another trophy. This is quite disheartening and rage-inducing for me personally, largely due to the following reasons.
Reason 2: The New York Mets blew it. Again. At some point —
sophomore libero Matsa Shi behind the service line extended the lead to 7–3.
Tufts distributed the ball well, with six different hitters recording kills in the set. Liu joined in the action, dumping the ball over to keep Wesleyan’s defense on their toes. The Cardinals stayed close, never allowing the Jumbos to lead by more than 5 points.
A late 5–0 Wesleyan run cut into Tufts’ advantage as hitting errors piled up. The Jumbos answered with a 4–0 run of their own behind Liu’s serve to retake the lead. Another Kamdje kill and a long Wesleyan hit sealed Tufts’ 25–22 set win, forcing a decisive fifth.
The final set was the closest of the match, with seven ties and six lead changes.
perhaps when we signed Juan Soto in the largest free-agent contract in MLB history — I had to come to terms with the fact that my favorite team was no longer one of the good guys. Sure, I still have pride in the 2015 team that made it to the World Series while being 13th in total payroll and starting guys like Lucas Duda and Travis d’Arnaud, but it’s no secret that those days are long gone. All that’s to say, watching the “Amazin’ Mets” — who threw cash like it was Monopoly money, second only to Los Angeles — miss the playoffs filled my mind with thoughts far too dark to ever be put down on a page.
But even that indescribable level of disappointment may not be as depressing as my third and final reason:
Reason 3: There’s nothing we can do.
Well, that may be an overstatement. I’m sure someone smarter and better informed than I has some brilliant solution that will make baseball fair again, but that’s far above my pay grade. Instead, I’d like to quickly explain
why the implementation of a salary cap, one of the more popular proposed solutions to the present issue, would be equally disastrous to the MLB’s current state.
The most prominent roadblock to a salary cap are the players’ contracts themselves. The over $700 million deals of Soto and Shohei Ohtani were only allowed to balloon to this status because of bidding wars from top teams, but at this point the cat’s out of the bag. Contracts like Ohtani’s — which involves $680 million to be paid out in deferred money nine years from now — would be basically impossible to grandfather into a new system.
Further, with a cap implemented, the next generation of superstars would be forced to take less money, since the cap would be lower than current top-end payrolls in an attempt to allow smaller markets to catch up. Even though these players would theoretically be producing equivalent outputs, they would be forced to take less money, especially if they want their teams to be competitive.
Who would benefit here? The owners. I’m no economics major,
Kamdje opened with two early kills to put Tufts up 4–2, but Wesleyan responded with a 3–0 run, getting a big kill and forcing errors. The Jumbos trailed 7–5 and called a timeout.
Immediately afterward, Kamdje recorded yet another kill — her 19th and final kill of the match. Kills from Castor and Akpoigbe tied it at 8–8. A Wesleyan error and an emphatic solo block from Heckman gave Tufts a 10–8 lead.
A service error and two attack errors swung the momentum back to the Cardinals, but a 3–0 run pushed the Jumbos ahead 13–11.
The Cardinals earned a stuff block to close the gap, but they had no answer for Flath, who gave the Jumbos set point. A defensive miscue on a free ball clinched the
upset for the Jumbos, who won the final set 15–12.
“Our schedule is incredibly tough, and with big wins over regional opponents lately, I believe [our] young growing team is now truly recognizing their potential. This is a deep squad, one of the most talented squads we have had top to bottom, and they are working hard to control the controllables,” Thompson wrote.
“It was great to play a really tough conference opponent [heading] into the conference tournament. We have been tested by some of the best teams in the region the past few weeks and will be better for it,” she added.
Tufts remains at No. 4 in the NESCAC but improves to 7–3 in conference play and 19–5 overall heading into the postseason.
but it seems like fairly simple math: Lower payrolls equal larger profit shares for billionaire owners, especially in big markets, and smaller markets still fall behind. This is clear in the NBA, a capped league, where teams in cities like New York, Los Angeles and Miami have been perpetually competitive and attractive to superstars, forcing smaller markets to hope they get lucky (or have a wizard like Sam Presti in charge).
Again, I know of no better alternative. It’s rough to see the same team win with no end in sight, but at least this year’s final product was one of the most entertaining in history. Credit to the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Dodgers too… I guess.
Noah Goldstein is a sophomore who has yet to declare a major. Noah can be reached at noah. goldstein@tufts.edu.
Full Court Press
GRAPHIC BY SHANNON MURPHY
COURTESY OF TUFTS ATHLETICS
Tufts volleyball is pictured in action against Middlebury.
Noah Goldstein
Baseball is screwed