Somerville Candidate Profile: Jack Perenick For City Councilor At Large

SOMERVILLE, MA — The municipal election is fast approaching in Somerville, and the city council race is highly contested.

Somerville Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles leading up to November.

Jack Perenick is running for City Councilor At Large in Somerville.

Age

22

Position sought

Somerville City Councilor At-Large

Party affiliation

Democrat

Family

I live in Ward 1 with my girlfriend and dog, we are the last members of my family still living in Somerville. I moved to Magoun Square to help take care of my grandmother.

Education

BA Tufts University, RP, CAPM

Occupation

Project Manager and Governing Document Consultant

Previous or Current Elected Office

Ward 5 Democratic Committeeman (2021-2025), Somerville Democratic Party Chair (2024-Present)

Campaign Website

JackforSomerville.com

Why are you seeking elected office?

I’ve had the opportunity to work on Somerville committees and projects in the past. I've had the opportunity to see the immense capacity our local government has to make systemic changes and fundamentally improve people’s lives. With our federal government particularly paralyzed and chaotic at this moment, I want to be a part of ensuring Somerville uses the powerful municipal tools we have to continue moving forward.

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

Affordability. It’s something nearly every elected official and candidate talks about in Somerville. I want to ensure we are taking systemic action to reform how our city funds its services. We are too reliant on asking residents to pay for over 75% of the cost of city services through cost of living charges like property taxes, rent, and high utility bills. I want to use the Council’s control of land use to relegalize mixed-use buildings in mid-rise districts again to decrease housing costs and revitalize our city squares. We also need to create new tech and innovation districts aimed to create revenue we can use to reduce the cost of living for residents.

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

In general I think all 8 candidates share similar goals. I’ve tried to set myself apart by suggesting specific and actionable ways the Council can use the tools readily available to our municipal government to advance those goals. I’ve been a part of statewide efforts calling for systemic housing reforms that reduce the cost of living and worked on green space expansion in Somerville. I've personally worked on projects I'd want to continue on as a City Councilor. Among all of the 8 new candidates who sought an At-Large Council seat this year, I was the only renter to advance from the preliminary election and I am personally motivated and dedicated to the work of reducing rental prices. I’m seeking a seat on the Council because I want to pursue workable municipal solutions to issues I have experience working on in our community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Housing Affordability, Safe Streets, Retaining Artist Spaces, Improving our Parks and Green Spaces, Rodent Control, Expanding Recreation and Afterschool Programs, Helping our Homeless Residents, and being a Responsive Constituent Service Councilor. All of which I've written in detail about how I want to advance here: www.JackforSomerville.com/priorities

The best advice ever shared with me was __________

That no one is no-one is immune to propaganda or complacency in the face of the status quo. I have tried to learn not to accept something just because that is how it has always been.

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

I got engaged in Somerville government at a young age because I believe in the power and importance of local government. I believe I offer a strong record of engagement with our local government as a private citizen and would bring valuable skills and experience to the Council. I invite people to learn more about me and my plans for our city at JackforSomerville.com

See Also:

Somerville Candidate Profile: Wilfred Mbah For City Councilor At Large

Somerville Candidate Profile: Emily Hardt For Ward 7 City Council