By JULIA K. DEAN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Published: Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Larry Ward would like to involve the Harvard community in many of the ideas he hopes to implement should he return to the Cambridge City Council after the November election.

“Mr. Ward wants Harvard students to engage with the community, and he is committed to finding different ways to do that,” says Jeffrey F. Solnet ’12, who is a member of Ward’s campaign.

Breeanna M. Elliott ’14, who is campaigning for Ward, says that she thinks that Ward is partially motivated to court students more heavily than other candidates because he does not already have a solid campaign base as he is not an incumbent. Ward replaced Vice Mayor Brian P. Murphy ’86-’87 in March of 2009 when Murphy left to work in the office of transportation. Ward finished out the term and lost in the Nov. 2009 election.

For incumbents there isn’t a need to stray from their usual constituency, Elliott says.

“Mr. Ward is trying to reach out to Harvard, MIT, and Lesley. He is looking to improve and expand the electorate, and not to just maintain it,” she says.

Ward is also looking to engage high school voters.

“People write the younger generation off, they see them as people who won’t vote,” says Ward. “We have registered as many as 70 students down at the high school.”

Ward is active in the Cambridge community, a member of many charitable organizations, working especially with the Cambridge youth. As City Councilor in 2009, Ward founded the Cambridge Ink Recycling Program to recycle ink cartridges from schools and businesses and then donate arts % crafts and school supplies to Cambridge non-profit groups and city elementary schools. The program has raised $8,000 in just its first year.

Ward also currently acts as the statewide coordinator for the Massachusetts Coalition for Authentic Reform in Education, an organization aimed at reforming Massachusetts standardized testing and improving the overall quality of public education.

Looking forward, Ward hopes to work with the Harvard members of the Phillips Brooks House Association in order to form new volunteer programs and greater opportunities within Cambridge.

“A significant portion of students are already involved in the community through PBHA programs, and Mr. Ward wants to expand those programs,” says Elliott.

Specifically, Ward plans to improve the Cambridge teen centers with the help of college volunteers. Ward believes that the centers are currently underutilized and no longer satisfy the evolving needs of the teens in Cambridge.

One idea that Ward proposed was to turn a teen center into a recording studio, where youth could go to learn about the different aspects of the growing industry. “We need to feed and lead our young people in to careers,” says Ward.

Additionally, Ward hopes that Harvard students can volunteer in a wide range of areas in the teen centers. Ward envisions students from the Design School working in the Visual Arts Center, while the teens could make great use of Harvard’s Astronomy observatory.

“Ward wants to create avenues for students to become involved,” Solnet says.

As the election approaches, Ward is attending frequent get-togethers to discuss his policies one-on-one with voters, hosted by Cambridge residents committed to the campaign.

At one such gathering, Ward addressed the importance of the composition of the next City Council, as it will most likely have to replace Robert W. Healy Jr.

“This City Council will potentially face the toughest decision it has faced in the past 30 years,” he said. “I will bring a voice of reason to make sure the selection process is authentic, and that we select the person who is best for Cambridge.”

Ward stresses the difference between people and constituents, as he believes it is the City Council’s job to represent everyone in Cambridge, whether or not they are voters.

“Cambridge is a very diverse city in terms of strong opinions. If you elect me, you get someone who will listen,” Ward says.

back on as full-time councillor

By KAY LEE
Published: October 23, 2011

Larry Ward is unique among the City Council challengers seeking election Nov. 8: He’s already been a city councillor.

When Brian Murphy resigned from the council in February 2009 for a state job with the Executive Office of Transportation, it was Ward who won that month’s five-candidate vote recount to replace him. Seven months later, Ward was defeated in a regular election by Leland Cheung.

Ward, 53, wants back on, but he hasn’t stopped working for Cambridge residents in the meantime. Ward is an activist. He proposes solutions, he creates committees, and he’s committed to changing lives, he says, with assurances and examples that he understands problem-solving and people — what they want, what they need and how they can get it.

“I really love Cambridge,” he says. “I love what it’s about. I love helping people in the city, and making sure we stay a good place for people to live, work and play.”

He believes in balanced development — growing the city but keeping the people’s needs in mind. He wants to fill the huge need for more family-friendly housing, as opposed to smaller rentals, he says, and as a parent, he understands that safety and stability is a priority for families as well. He wants to create more employment opportunities for youth, vows to foster relationships between the elderly and youth and wants to see local world-class universities get more involved with the the youth of his world-class city. “It’s making connections so these things happen,” he says.

Residents have legitimate concerns about traffic and parking issues in the city, he says, citing longer hours at parking meters and a raise in parking fees as the sort of thing he wants to focus on. “It’s the little things that make people’s lives comfortable,” he says. “If you pay attention to the little things in people’s lives and fix those things, you don’t have to deal with the big problem — when all the little things pile up.”

He respects the way things are run. He wants councillors to be more proactive in appealing to the people, starting with a rotating schedule in which meetings rotate through neighborhoods to get more people involved. “When you’re helping other people,” he tells me wisely, “You want to go to them. You want to show them you care by going to them, and not telling them to come to you to propose their opinions.” But he likes that the city’s professionally run by a city manager — saying City Manager Robert W. Healy has done a fabulous job, and that the biggest challenge Cambridge faces will finding an eventual replacement — and believes the balance of power between the city councillors and the city manager is appropriate.

Citizens’ lack of complaints testify to it, he says. “Cambridge has the lowest residential tax rate in all of the commonwealth,” he says, “and if you want to maintain that, the election of the city manager is important. After all, he is an important factor for the maintenance of the city.”

Ward has his own example of problem-solving to offer: his ink cartridge-recycling program, in which he partners with local businesses to collect use ink cartridges and turn them in return for supplies for community centers and schools. In eight months running the program he raised more than $4,000 worth of school supplies, he says, and this year should have enough to give away 50 backpacks’ worth. It helps schools, the needy and the environment, Ward says, and could be expanded with his election.

“It’s important to remember that you can’t please all the people. You have to look at what’s best for the people in the city, and that should constitute the decision you make,” he says, describing his approach to being a city councillor. “It will be a full time job for me.”

Ward’s website is here; his profile on the Cambridge Civic Journal is here.

Marc Levy contributed to this report.

CCTV Interviews Larry Ward

Dear Friends and Supporters:

I am humbled and excited that Massachusetts State Senator Sal DiDomenico, who represents parts of Cambridge, has voiced his support of my candidacy for Cambridge City Council (see the Senator’s statement below). With November 8 fast approaching, my campaign staff and volunteers are working tirelessly on my behalf, so it is gratifying to know that other elected officials are also supportive of our work.

Larry Ward

“Larry Ward has a long track record of standing up for the residents of Cambridge. His commitment to the city runs deep: from his time on City Council, to his work to increase educational and enrichment opportunities for the city’s children and youth to the countless hours he has dedicated to volunteer organizations across the city. He has been a dedicated community leader and I am proud to support his campaign.”

Sen. Sal DiDomenico (photo by S. Segat & CCTV)

Sal DiDomenico
State Senator

watch?v=ZjGoAobyqNA&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Email larry@larryward.org, tweet @LarryWard2011 or call 1-617-453-8554

Homelessness is a growing social problem throughout the United States, and Cambridge is certainly no exception. We are fortunate to have these resources include homeless shelters that provide a warm and safe place for people without homes to stay, while also helping to keep our city’s streets safe.

One of my opponents in my candidacy for Cambridge City Council, Mr. Gary Mello, stated in a recent campaign debate that he wants to “close 240 Albany Street.” Referring to the CASPAR Emergency Service Center located at that address, he said, “I know that comes as a shock to you people, but when their permits expire, I just want them to go out of business.”

For those who do follow closely our city’s multi-pronged approach to controlling the epidemic of homelessness, I would like to explain that the CASPAR Emergency Service Center in Central Square is one of only three 24/7 shelters in Massachusetts that focuses on the rehabilitation of homeless individuals.

Since its founding in 1970, CASPAR has worked closely and effectively with the city’s police department and hospitals to ensure that community-based services are implemented to rehabilitate substance abusers. Most in the social services and law enforcement communities would agree that CASPAR plays an essential role in helping to stabilize the lives of homeless people and keeping our streets safe. The organization also partners with MIT, which according to CASPAR’s website “built the shelter for CASPAR on MIT property in 1994.”

Closing the CASPAR Emergency Service Center, as Mr. Mello advocates, would almost certainly contribute to increases in the homeless population and street crime, not only in Central Square but in the MIT/Kendall area and other neighborhoods.

I believe closing CASPAR’s emergency shelter at 240 Albany Street would be counterproductive and a callous violation of our city’s social contract. If elected to the Cambridge City Council, I would strongly oppose any such initiative.

Larry Ward served on the Cambridge City Council in 2009, and is running for office this fall. As a resident of Cambridge for over 25 years, and as both a residential and commercial property owner in the city, Ward has earned a reputation for leadership in the nurturing and development of youth and the fight for fairness and equity in all spheres of city life.

Dear Friend/Neighbor:

Join with me on November 8, 2011 as I support Larry Ward with my #1 vote for Cambridge City Council!

Larry has been my friendly, helpful neighbor for over twenty years. I have known him as a devoted son to his elderly father, as an involved father to three accomplished daughters, and as a concerned participant in many community matters.

I am confident that Larry would serve us all well as an outstanding city councilor – devoted to the real interests of the entire population.  Please check out Larry’s credentials, by reading a reprint of a recent Cambridge Chronicle article profiling Larry, (reverse side), or by visiting his website larryward.org.

Right now the city is in good fiscal shape with an AAA bond rating and lower property tax rates than our neighbors in Belmont, Brookline and Newton. Given the likelihood that the next Council will hire a new city manager, (for the first time in over 30 years), we will
need Larry’s voice of reason, and considerable skills and abilities to ascertain that our next city manager possesses the vital financial and administrative abilities needed to keep our city fiscally strong.

I believe Larry will serve our city and community well, and further believe that you will agree and join with me in support of his candidacy. To be elected to the Council, Larry needs both your #1 vote and your financial support.

No donation is too small, all donations are truly appreciated.  Donations can be made online or you may mail checks payable to the Committee to Elect Larry Ward 2011 to the PO Box listed above. With nineteen candidates running, your #1 vote is critical and will count!

Cordially,

Frances Quint
55 Lee Street
Cambridge, MA. 02139

Over the past year, the group was responsible for recycling over 2,200 ink cartridges that were redeemed for some $5,000.00 in arts & crafts and school supplies.

Through his recycling initiative, local corporations donate spent cartridges for redemption at office supply stores. Each returned cartridge brings a $2.00 store credit, and the credits are then used to purchase arts & crafts and school supplies to support local youth educational and recreational programs.

Larry has devoted his career to working with city youth as a soccer referee, youth basketball coach, teacher, mentor and friend. Now, Ward has paired his interest in environmental activities with his dedication to youth programs, recruiting a group of local citizens who share his environmental concerns along with sponsoring city youth academic and athletic programs, to work with him on the recycling program. Launched just 12 months ago, the group was recently nominated for a 2010 Cambridge GoGreen Award, for their waste reduction and recycling efforts.

Recipients include: Cambridge Community Center, Margaret Fuller House, East Cambridge Little League, Pop Warner Football & Cheerleading, Salvation Army, Mass. Avenue Baptist Church, as well as the ML King, Peabody and Cambridgeport K-8 public elementary schools.

The schools and nonprofits were provided with posters and flyers to promote the program with their members and families, as well as with neighborhood businesses. Ward also actively sought out the small business community for donations of their cartridges to the program. “This program would not be the success that it is without participation from key community-minded organizations and corporations including: InterSystems Software, Central Square Post Office, Cubby Oil, CCTV, Cambridge Transcriptions and the Picante-Mexican restaurant” said Ward.

All Cambridge businesses, large and small, as well as private individuals are encouraged to participate in the recycling program. Collection bins are located at all the participating nonprofits and elementary schools. To donate a cartridge, one needs only to wrap it in a paper or plastic bag and place it in one of the collection bins.

Ward believes this program is vital to the city, the nonprofits, the schools, the environment and especially, city youth. “Our program is turning used ink cartridges that require over 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill into educational and recreational tools that will aid our city youth in reaching their academic and athletic potential; helping local nonprofits stretch their budgets in these tough economic times, while also maintaining a clean environment for future generations,” he said.

Larry Ward served on the Cambridge City Council in 2009, and is running for office this fall. As a resident of Cambridge for over 25 years, and as both a residential and commercial property owner in the city, Ward has earned a reputation for leadership in the nurturing and development of youth and the fight for fairness and equity in all spheres of city life.