Swell of support in Medford for T plan
Boston Globe Letter to the Editor, by Carl Sciortino
April 25, 2009
THERE HAS been wide-ranging debate about the level of support in Medford for the Green Line extension, and much of the debate has been fueled by misinformation put forth by opponents who don't even live in the affected area of the project. I want to put to rest the notion that Medford as a whole is ambivalent or opposed to this project.
My legislative district includes the entire stretch of the Green Line through Medford, as well as adjacent neighborhoods in Somerville. Last year in my campaign, I spent months going door to door hearing about people's concerns and priorities. Not surprisingly, I heard from abutters who had valid and reasonable questions. But on the whole, I heard time and again a high level of support for the project.
When I polled my district last summer, I found that 73 percent of Medford residents responded in support of extending the Green Line, and of those, 40 percent said the project was extremely important to them. The numbers in Somerville were similar. Is this unanimous? No. But how often do you get unanimous support for any change, particularly as the project's details are still unfolding?
I will continue to support the extension, not only because now is the time to be investing in public transportation for economic and environmental reasons, but because I know my constituents support and demand it.
Carl Sciortino
Democratic state representative