Welcome!

The Blog

I am blogging now.  Check it out: http://blog.samseidel.org

Thank you!

Yesterday's results were a disappointment to me, but I want to thank you for all your support during this campaign season, and during my time as an elected official.   Your commitment to the civic life of this city is a big part of what makes it the great place that it is.  Congratulations to the new City Council.  I wish them the best of luck for this upcoming term.

Sam

What I have been working on for Cambridge:

• Educating Our Children

What I have done: Ensured that all public after school programs for middle school children incorporate educational components so that learning does not end after the bell rings.
Next on my list: Early childhood education- making sure every child is ready for school on Day One.
 

• Environmental Challenges

What I have done: Improved energy efficiency in City buildings that led to significant cost savings and a healthier work and living environment.
Next on my list: Bicycles- Bikes are here to stay, now we have to find better ways for all of us to share the road.
 

• Planning our City

What I have done: Secured private funding for a planning study that represents the first step toward improving a Massachusetts Avenue retail corridor.
Next on my list: Supporting Cambridge innovation that ensures we are a part of the 21st Century economy.

2011 Re-Election Campaign- Remember to Vote Sam #1 this Tuesday, November 8th!

Endorsements- Thank you to the Massachusetts Sierra Club, the Young Democrats of Massachusetts, the SEIU Local 615, Carpenters Local 40, and the Ward 6 Democratic Committee for their endorsement of my campaign for re-election to the City Council! I am honored and appreciative for all of their support this election season.

CCTV Recording- Take a look at my statement for re-election filmed by CCTV: www.cctvcambridge.org/node/85130

Cambridge Local First and for Local Economy Week                          Meeting with Cambridge residents Tom Licciardello and Andy Towl (about the celebrate his 100th birthday!)      

 Sam Yard Signs around Cambridge                                                  

Cambridge Named One of 100 Best Communities for Young People- Cambridge achieved national recognition as one of America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People. The competition recognizes communities across the country that focus on reducing high school dropout rates and providing service and support to their youth. Cambridge is the only city in New England to become a five-time winner this year. To read more visit: www.americaspromise.org/Our-Work/100-Best-Communities-for-Young-People/Five-Time-Winners.aspx

Cambridge Alert Network- The City has designed a network system to notify residents of emergency alerts and other important City information. Click here to learn more about the network and to sign up:  cambridgema.gov/AlertNetwork.aspx

Massachusetts Sierra Club Endorsement- "Sam is committed to making Cambridge the environmental powerhouse it should be," said Phillip Sego, chair of the Massachusetts Sierra Club Political Committee. "Sam has been and will continue to advocate for environmental responsibility." Thank you to the Massachusetts Sierra Club for their endorsement this election season. I am honored and appreciative of their statement of support.

September 11th Remembrance- On September 11th, 2011 beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the steps of City Hall, Mayor David P. Maher was joined by the Cambridge Fire Department, the Cambridge Police Department and City officials for a ceremony of remembrance and reflection to honor the victims of September 11th, 2001. For more information about this ceremony click here: www.cambridgema.gov/citynewsandpublications/news/2011/09/cambridgeremembersseptember11.aspx

Kick-Off- Thank you to everyone who came out to the Plough & Stars for my Kick-Off event! I had a great time and I hope you all did too. Thank you for your support.

Cambridge Chronicle "Meet the Candidates"- Take a look at my responses to questions to the candidates in the Cambridge Chronicle: www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/news/x488547915/Cambridge-Election-2011-Meet-the-Candidates#axzz1XD44ryPA

Soldier Ride in Boston- I had a great time at the Soldier Ride on August 27th. The Soldier Ride raises funds for Wounded Warrior Project programs that promote a positive message of recovery for soldiers. The Soldier Ride brings cyclists, military men and women, and wounded soldiers together for a great cause and gives the opportunity for the public to honor our soldiers while cycling along side them. To learn more about the Soldier Ride visit: http://www.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=447734&lis=1&kntae447734=48A9C3F9A1F040C8B475F18FE277D81E

Funch was a great success- Thank you to everyone who supported Funch throughout August! I was excited to help initiate the program for Cambridge residents. It was a great way to make use out of Vellucci Plaza and was a lot of fun. To see Funch's great review in the Cambridge Chronicle click here: www.wickedlocal.com/cambridge/features/x1131630854/Inman-Square-has-a-new-take-on-fun-and-lunch#axzz1W4MBHnNB and to hear WBZ Radio New's review click here http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/08/25/having-funch-in-cambridge/

 The School Committee has decided on a new direction for the Cambridge Public Schools, and I applaud them for their deliberations and their decision.  The task for them and the Superintendent is to make this decision work in the lives and the education of all the children in the Cambridge school system, and for the families that entrust so much to it. 

Meanwhile, my work continues in the area of Out of School Time (OST), work that I started as co-chair of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) last term.  Below is a letter that summarizes the OST work to date, and describes the work that needs to follow from this, to ensure that all the many resources this community can bring to bear on excellence in education are deployed effectively for that goal.   

Go to the City's recently redesigned website for more information on happenings around the city.