Candidate Profile: Todd Easton, Ward 5 City Council

SOMERVILLE, MA — Todd Easton is one of three candidates running for Ward 5 city councilor in the Sept. 14 preliminary election, which will whittle down the field of candidates ahead of the municipal election in November. There will also be preliminary elections for mayor and City Council in Ward 7.

Somerville Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Easton is heavily involved in the Somerville community as a youth soccer and baseball coach, school district volunteer and local arts promoter. He and his wife Debbie have three children, Simon, Helena and Emmett.

Are you running for office in Somerville? Contact Alex Newman at alex.newman@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Somerville Patch.

Age (as of Election Day)

50

Position Sought

Ward 5 CITY COUNCILOR

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Wife Debbie Howiit Easton, three kids, Simon 19, Helena 16, Emmett 14

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My wife Debbie was recrntly appointed as an alternate to the Somerville Planning Board

Education

Ithaca College 1993

Occupation

Domestic Executive 15 years; previously independent travel consultant

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

www.todd4somerville.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

Since moving to the city 20 years ago, I have been involved in some form of service or volunteer work in the City. Being an engaged resident is incredibly rewarding, but has its limits on real, systemic change. I look to continue this mission as the next Ward 5 City Councilor to better serve this community

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe the most pressing issue in the City currently is affordability – cost of living and housing. Our diverse community must be represented and at the table as we grapple with this, recognizing that there is no one single solution to address the complex issues we face.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My lived experiences in Somerville have allowed me to see the way this City lives and breathes, and over a 20-year span I have watched the changes in population growth, infrastructure demands, climate resiliency, and more. My involvement in the community – with local sports organizations, the arts community, and in our schools – is a testament to the way I operate. I am a solutions-driven leader that is open and empathetic to the ideas of others, and I recognize that the role of the Ward 5 City Councilor is to listen and learn first.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I believe the administration did as well as it could given the circumstances: global pandemic, economic turbulence, evictions, etc. Remembering that this was an entirely unprecedented scenario, I am reluctant to play Monday Morning Quarterback. I do believe that we drastically underutilized our local nonprofits and community health centers. These organizations were underresourced but have stronger, more direct access and communication with the vulnerable that they represent.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I believe that our arts and cultural communities have been overlooked, particularly in the wake of a global health and economic crisis. We have to remember that Somerville has been fortunate to get to where it is now on the backs of the artists and immigrants that have lived here. They are the ones that made this place what it is today. They are a key priority because Somerville should not be reduced to a commerce and consumer city without soul and depth.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

One particularly applicable accomplishment embodies this best:
I previously held the position of President of the Somerville Youth Soccer league. When I took over the league, the organization’s nonprofit status was mired in poor record-keeping and related support work. The organization’s infrastructure required a complete audit and fresh strategy. With the help of fellow board members I was able to re-organize the organization get the lead back into financial stability and completed its 501(c)(3) status. While this may not be a sexy headline of work, these are the foundational requirements to operating well. I believe the City of Somerville is overdue for audits or exploration of our processes, spending, and public input.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Related to running for office, the best advice I have received is to just be honest with yourself and to the people you engage. It’s important to recognize that my lived experience may not align with the lived experience of others in the City, and my role is to listen first. I’ve always prided myself in knowing that when I talk to people I say what I mean and I believe what I say. I’m able to walk away from the conversation knowing that I represent myself honestly.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a no-nonsense, pragmatic individual that is open to working with others to find solutions to problems that are happening in our City.

I look for collaborative solutions where the voice of the residents is clearly at the table. We are so lucky to live in a vibrant, educated, worldly community that seeks to engage with our local government. Now is the time to grow the conversation. This fall, we will see a lot of new faces in City Hall. It’s time to take a deep dive into Somerville city government and figure out what is working and what is not, and establish some clear and deliverable best practices that look towards Somerville’s future.