Welcome to my NEW newsletter. If you received it from a friend and want to subscribe, use the button on the right. If you no longer wish to receive my newsletter, please use the unsubscribe button at the end of this email. Check out my Facebook page if you want to receive more timely updates on what's happening.

As always, I welcome comments and feedback.

Denise

My thanks to everyone who came out and voted in the November 2, 2010 election, who encouraged friends to vote, and otherwise became involved. Generally, the outcome of the election was far better than I had hoped. Specifically, I'm honored and grateful to have been re-elected to represent Somerville's 27th Middlesex District, and I hope that this updated newsletter helps to demonstrate my commitment to the highest standards of public service.

Preliminary census data has started to come in, and it has major implications for the political shape of Massachusetts. The population of our state has actually grown; by about 3.4%.Since so many other states have added population at a grater rate, however, we are almost certain to lose a Congressional seat, as many have predicted.

Ward and precinct configurations - the building blocks of political representation - will also change, especially in the eastern part of our state. Boston and Cambridge have both grown significantly in population, Cambridge by more than twice the state's overall growth rate. Somerville, however, has  - at least officially, by census count - lost about 1.3% of it's population, going from roughly 77,000 to around 72,000 people.

This population growth will shift the boundaries of existing districts, and may give rise to one or more new ones, since the size of districts is  based on population. Final census data will come in 2011, and the legislature will set up a joint committee on redistricting. At least ten public hearings will be held on the proposed new precinct/ward/district maps before then are final ized by vote of the legislature, about a year from now - I'll provide more information as it develops.

The Ware Report on the Massachusetts Probation Department presents our worst nightmare of how personnel decisions are made. It represents abuse of power, abuse of public trust, and has apparently been business as usual in that department.

Attorney Paul Ware was appointed on May 24, 2010, as Independent Counsel to investigate allegations of rigged hiring in the Probation Department. His report to the Supreme Judicial Court was filed on November 9. You can read it here.

The report meticulously describes a system in which favored candidates were placed on a hiring list, and ordinary applicants subjected to an interview process that was no more than window-dressing. The US Attorney and Massachusetts Attorney General are now investigating the full extent of wrongdoing in this system. I'm appalled by these revelations, and will take such steps as are needed to clean house - here, and wherever it's needed.