Somerville Candidate Profile: Jack Perenick For City Council

SOMERVILLE, MA —With the Somerville Municipal Election scheduled for Nov. 7, Patch is profiling the candidates.

Here, we learn more about Jack Perenick, who is running to represent Ward 5 on the Somerville City Council. Perenick is facing Naima Sait to fill the seat currently held by Beatriz Gomez Mouakad.

Gomez Mouakad has chosen not to run for reelection in order to handle a family health emergency, according to Cambridge Day.

Perenick is a 2021 graduate of Wilbraham & Monson Academy, an independent, college-preparatory school located in Wilbraham. Perenick is a parliamentarian, political organizer, and Massachusetts Democratic Party State Committee member.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Jack Perenick

Campaign website

https://JackforSomerville.com

What city or town do you live in?

Somerville

What office are you seeking?

City Councilor

District

Ward 5

Please give us your party affiliation

Democrat

Education

Registered Parliamentarian (RP), Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Occupation

Parliamentarian, political organizer, and Massachusetts Democratic Party State Committee member

Family

Myself and my grandmother Linda live in Magoun Square, most of the rest of my family lives in the Greater Boston area.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No, I'm the first to enter politics, although members of my family have been public school teachers, police officers, firefighters and crossing guards.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

I have not run for public office before, but I have run for party office and currently serve as a member of the Ward 5 Democratic Committee, and am the vice chairman of the Somerville Democratic Committee. I am up for reelection on the 2024 ballot.

Why are you seeking this office?

The power of our municipal government is extensive, but it must be accessible to the people it serves and responsive to their needs. I believe that my experience in politics, parliamentary law, and as a Mayoral Advisory Committee member would make me the best city councilor for Magoun, Ball, and Porter Square Somerville residents.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Affordability: We need to build more housing to drive down rents, invest in mixed-used vibrant city squares to support our tax base, and reduce residential taxes to make living in Somerville affordable and enjoyable.

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

I come into this race with experience reviewing pieces of legislation, leading state advocacy coalitions, and reviewing budgets.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

I am not, this is an open seat. I have been proud to support our incumbent Councilor Beatriz Gómez Mouakad and will continue the work she is doing on our city's school buildings crisis, bicycle network plan, and traffic calming efforts.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Our municipal government has to undergo rezoning and focus on developing our city's squares with businesses and all the essential urban services that Somervillians need within a 15-minute walk. We need to adapt our city to have more convenient transportation for residents and safer streets, especially for people with disabilities, the elderly, and young people. We are currently in a homelessness crisis and our city saw 22 overdose deaths last year. We need to invest in community health and safety measures.

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

I have been a frequent attendee of Somerville city commissions, committees, and council meetings long before I decided to run for office. I know our city's structure and have worked with current councilors on issues important to me. I have also testified on Beacon Hill in favor of laws that would help our city with housing affordability and municipal accessibility and transparency. I have worked with elected officials from around the state and built coalitions around the country to push for progress.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Think before you speak. Read before you think — Fran Lebowitz

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

As a politically and civically involved young person in Somerville, I have a lot of hope for our city. I want to be part of the Get Stuff Done workforce of municipal officials that help to make our city a better place than we found it. You can read more about me and my positions on the issues at JackforSomerville.com. Thanks for taking the time to be an informed voter!