By Alexa Back
Despite rain and chilly weather, residents of District 9 cast their municipal election votes at the precinct located in the Honan-Allston Branch of the Boston Public Library.
Mounting concerns about public school funding, college student life, and faculty involvement in student affairs led voters to the polls in Allston on Nov. 7.
“I came out to vote because it's our civic duty and I'm engaged in local politics because the most important thing to engage in is what's happening on your street in your city,” Galen Mook explained.
Voters cast ballots at booths located inside the Honan-Allston Library branch of the Boston Public Library. Photo by Alexa Back.
Several voters voiced Boston’s education system as a top priority for change.
Ivy Bardaglio used to work for the Boston Children's Museum and, as a result, feels close ties to educational projects in Boston. "I think Boston, like BPS, is doing so much and I hope that, you know, they'll continue to be supported by the city council and the mayor and get the resources they need."
Brad Dumont, a music teacher at Assumption University, extended this sentiment. “The Boston Public Schools are in desperate need of support from our local communities,” he said.
Beyond the realm of funding itself, Dumont supported more sustainable housing for college students. “...figuring out how the entire community can be more sustainable and not a space where we're constantly seeing turnover between residents, and supporting the college student population to feel like they're actually members of the Allston-Brighton community.” Dumont said he voted for Henry Santana, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julie Mejia, and Jacob deBlecourt.
Joseph Melkonian, a Harvard University graduate student studying public policy, said he identifies as an independent. Melkonian stated that he's more moderate-leaning and votes for candidates supported by local labor unions. Melkonian said he believes in "...encouraging more local accountability for school for school boards."
Melkonian's belief, he said, boils down to gender ideology and how schools should handle it. "...when it comes to questions of morality or questions of self-expression, I think those are things that are better dealt with at home or in other avenues of society."
The poll warden explains the tally of votes receipt, which is signed at the
end of the day once votes have been verified. Photo by Alexa Back.
Four city councillor-at-large seats were up for grabs in the election. Those who ran as incumbent candidates included Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, and Erin Murphy. Board of Elections unofficial results for the City of Boston councillor-at-large seats show Ruthzee Louijeune won 20.31% of the vote, Julia Mejia won 18.10%, Erin Murphy won 19.18%, and Henry Santana won 15.53%.
For District 9 in particular, Councillor Liz Breadon ran as an incumbent on the ballot. Jacob deBlecourt, formerly known as the communications and policy director for at-large Councillor Julia Mejia, ran against Breadon.
Now, Breadon represents District 9, defeating DeBlecourt 65.95% to 33.31%.
Breadon's education plan, according to her campaign website, includes the following.
Investing in the arts.
Supporting the FY 22 City of Boston school budget to fund "social workers and family liaisons in every school."
Working with Jackson-Mann to build a "state of the art school for the deaf and hard of hearing in Boston" due to its anticipated closing.
Deblecourt’s education plan, as stated in their campaign website, reimagines the public school system by uplifting student mental health, rethinking Boston Public School structure and spending, and rethinking the future of the Jackson/Mann community.
Dumont feels the candidate's education plans fall short. "I don't see a clear plan on supporting the education initiatives I think the city really needs because I think the city has more systemic education issues that need to be addressed… I'd love to see a future candidate take that on more seriously."
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