Re-Elect Leo Robinson
To the Editor:
Friends,
I am writing to ask that you consider casting a vote to re-elect Leo Robinson as Chelsea City Councilor At Large. I have known Leo since 1972 when I went to work for Community Action Programs Inter-City, Inc. (CAPIC) as a Health Organizer. At that time, Leo was working to develop low income housing for Chelsea residents. It was not long before I came to admire and respect his dedication, honesty and love of Chelsea. Leo guided me as my mentor and colleague and soon became a dear friend. Leo was employed by CAPIC until 1988 when his decision to run for politics enabled him to positively affect residents on a larger scale. As Councilor At Large and five times President of the Council, he enacted policy to bring equality to various sectors of the Chelsea community, always placing resident needs first. Having been a lifelong resident and Viet Nam Veteran, Leo had a clear understanding of resident needs. His compassion is second to none! Leo actively worked during the Chelsea conflagration of 1973 to place over 200 families in permanent housing, while his own family was displaced as a result of that fire. Leo most recently was a major advocate for the re-development of the Innes Apartments, along Central Avenue that will provide state of the art housing for public tenants and private renters. Leo has always considered Fire and Law Enforcement to be a critical service that should be properly funded, along with our School Department. Leo has been a proponent of low income housing, sheparding through an ordinance to ensure low income housing is built for residents who are at 20% to 30% of the Median income. Leo and his brother Ronald created the Lewis Latimer Society to honor that black inventor, raised in Chelsea who was responsible for designing the critical filament in the light bulb. Leo has remained active in supporting youth sports and programs that led youth to educational opportunity. These are but some of the reasons that Chelsea needs Leo Robinson to continue serving as Councilor at Large and I pledge my support in helping him continue to help Chelsea.
Robert S. Repucci
CAPIC Executive
Director-Retired
Maria Belen Power, the “Power” House
To the Editor:
Maria Belen is a breath of fresh air in the political world. She is genuine, committed, tenacious, and continues to demonstrate through her community work and personal involvement that she is ready to lead in Chelsea.
Maria Belen possesses the knowledge and heart to represent residents of District 8. She is connected to the community which allows her to hear directly from constituents the needs and concerns facing our community. When Covid-19 hit the city of Chelsea, Maria Belen was at the forefront of advocating for our community. She teamed up with a group of concerned citizens and got the attention of Governor Baker which ultimately got Chelsea much-needed resources. She understood the complex and multifaceted problems covid imposed on our community and she faced all the issues head-on, providing tangible and creative solutions. I am excited to see her leadership in action at the city council level.
Residents of District 8: if you haven’t already met Maria Belen, I encourage you to say hello on her campaign trail. You will fall in love with her not only because she is a phenomenal woman, but because her passion for the community of Chelsea will come through within minutes of meeting her.
This Nov. 2, I encourage you to vote for Maria Belen Power for City Councilor District 8. She is the “Power” house we have been waiting for.
Zaida Ismatul Oliva
Why I’m Voting for Marisol Santiago for District 3
To the Editor:
In 2018, I bought my first home – a red multi-family hilltop house – in Chelsea. There were many reasons I chose to move from Cambridge to Chelsea but, chief amongst them was my new town’s close-knit sense of community and culture. In Cambridge, it was easy to feel like another number; I lived in the same house for 3 years, and never even knew my neighbors’ names! But, in Chelsea, you feel welcomed and seen.
Within days of moving into my home on Hooper Street, I realized my impression of Chelsea was accurate: The diverse and driven populace is never too busy to spare a minute to ask, “Hey, how are you” or “Hola, que tal?” And, because Spanish is my second language, I had the opportunity to build deep connections with other newcomers, including the Garcia* family, a lovely couple and three small kids, who moved into the first floor unit of my home. I also exchanged telephone numbers with several folks on my street and learned the names of a dozen other neighbors. One of those names was “Marisol Santiago”, a neighbor who struck me as vibrant, warm, and considerate; Marisol and I exchanged many pleasantries over the following two years, but it wasn’t until disaster struck in August 2020 that I truly realized how big-hearted she is.
On August 11, I received one of the worst phone calls of my life. There was a three-alarm fire at my home. The fire was absolutely devastating and all-consuming; my house would have to be rebuilt from the studs out. Fortunately, and by the grace of God, no one was home that evening. Unfortunately, that raging inferno deprived two families of our shared Hooper Street home. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the Chelsea community gathered around us and offered thoughtful condolences. Still, in the midst of crisis, words and well wishes can only do so much.
My priority that night was locating and securing a family-friendly residence for my tenants; and, as you’d imagine, this was an extremely stressful and complicated task to achieve on a moment’s notice. That’s when I really understood the type of person Marisol Santiago is.
As a Chelsea High School graduate, Ms. Santiago has lifelong roots in the community, and she wasn’t satisfied with waiting on others to provide long-term housing solutions to neighbors in need. Rather, Ms. Santiago directed me to CAPIC and the school community, who made the necessary arrangements for my tenants in their hour of need. Because of Ms. Santiago’s consideration, my wonderful tenants were able to move into a family-friendly unit while our shared home was rebuilt. Ms. Santiago never asked for anything in return and her compassion turned a terrible nightmare into a manageable problem.
Quite simply, Ms. Santiago’s genuine concern and desire to help her neighbors impressed me tremendously; and, I fear to think where my tenants would have lived the past year without Ms. Santiago’s thoughtfulness and quick-thinking. It’s reassuring to know that your community has your back and that when times get tough; it’s refreshing to know that there are people who will do their utmost to help you without expecting compensation in return. People say these qualities are hard to find nowadays, but that’s certainly not true in Chelsea – especially when Marisol Santiago is around!
As an active community member, Marisol Santiago has connections and knows how to use her network to problem solve under pressure. Ms. Santiago is exactly the type of leader Chelsea needs in city hall. She will fervently fight for our interests because she genuinely cares about bettering the lives of the individuals in our community. My vote for District 3 will go to Marisol Santiago, and yours should too.
Alex Fotta
I Support Maria Belen Power
To the Editor:
This is a letter to residents of District 8 and residents of the city of Chelsea in Support of Maria Belen Power, candidate for City Council for District 8.
I am a resident of this city and one of those who led the fight to elect the first Latino in the city of Chelsea.
It is an honor for me to support and recommend that you elect Maria Belen Power. She is a professional woman, strategist and visionary. I am sure that if she is elected, she will bring new energy and vision to the City Council of this city that it so badly needs.
Maria Belen works as an environmentalist and has been an organizer not only for the improvement of the environment, but is also very supportive of the low-income communities and the immigrant community of this city.
Chelsea faces great challenges to meet the needs of the most marginalized population. Rent prices have risen. Large housing corporations want to come to build luxury buildings and displace the tenants who already pay exaggerated rents. I am sure that Maria Belen will always fight for the people of Chelsea.
Maria Belen was recently appointed to a national environmental committee by the Joe Biden administration. That is a great recognition earned with her own work and exalts the name of this city. We need councilors like her. With all due respect, I ask you to vote for Maria Belen Power on November 2.
Angel (Tito) Meza