Incumbents are indicated with *
Candidates proceeding to the municipal election on November 5th are indicated with †
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Elizabeth Breadon†
(pdf of answers)
Craig Cashman†
(pdf of answers)
About the Candidate |
1. How do you move around your community and get to where you need to go? |
2. What is a particularly dangerous problem or location in your community for people walking, biking, taking transit, or for people with disabilities that you'd like to see addressed? |
3. Why do you think people who care about walking, biking, transit, and mobility issues should vote for you? |
Elizabeth Breadon |
Walk, 57 bus and T, driver hybrid vehicle |
There are no crosswalks on Washington Street between Oak Square and Langley. This is a disaster in the making. Bike/Bus lanes are needed for all major roads and bikes lanes where there are no buses. Crosswalks on main streets are not shoveled after snow making it impossible or treacherous for people in wheelchair or using crutches or cane. The B Line is so slow that people use uber et al instead. Consolidating some of its many stops will help. |
Of all the Allston Brighton candidates I was the only one who worked with AB Health Collaborative on establishing the Brighton Avenue Bus Lane. I have also called Boston Transportation Dept about monitoring/ticketing/towing cars that park in this lane. Having been a physical therapist for people with disabilities for most of my career I am especially sensitive to mobility challenges and potential fixes. I am also an abiding environmentalist and will do all I can to improve public transportation and bicycle safety to take as many cars as possible off our roads. |
Craig Cashman |
Despite having to young children my wife and I downsized to one car two years ago. Before I began running for this seat, I either walked or biked to Boston Landing and used the commuter rail to get downtown for work. |
Oak Square is particularly dangerous place to cross with difficult visibility because of illegally parked cars/trucks and to so many points on entry into the intersection. I would like to see more Crosswalk warning systems in areas around the neighborhood. While work has been done, we need to continue to make ADA accessible improvements to pedestrian ramps on sidewalks in our neighborhood and we need to begin to invest in raised crossings to improve safety but also sow down traffic. |
I have first hand experience working on transportation issues in this neighborhood. I took part in the early meetings where the idea of commuter rail service at Boston Landing were discussed and got to see it become a reality. I got to write a letter with my colleagues at the State House advocating for West Station now and not 2040, while also calling for Harvard University to make a significant investment towards construction. I intend to build upon Harvard's investment of $58M by pushing more public-private partnership with other institutions, Kendall Square and the Longwood medical area. |
Policy Proposals |
1. How will you ensure implementation of the infrastructure changes needed to slow traffic on your community's streets, and improve crosswalks and intersections to make them safer for people who are walking and using mobility assistive devices? |
2. How will you improve the reach, frequency, and quality of public transit in Boston? |
3. How will you ensure fast-tracked implementation of a city-wide network of off-street paths and protected bike lanes on major thoroughfares and connecting streets that are safe and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities? |
Elizabeth Breadon |
The Brighton Ave Bus lane started with a group of dedicated volunteers gathering data. My initial steps would be gathering information by holding town hall meetings on transportation, sending a Survey Monkey questionnaire to residents, asking on Twitter and Facebook, meeting with D9 BPD and BTD, asking school crossing teams and making sure residents know to call my office to report issues. Then I would work with Public Works on a priority list and schedule for short term fixes and capital repairs that need to go into the budget. Allston-Brighton has been out-of-sight and out-of-mind- for too long at City Hall. |
First, I will ride every bus and T line I Allston Brighton, although I already have. Then, I'll collaborate with other members of the Council to publicize to problems and request upgrades in service. I will also collaborate with the Boston delegation and communicate specific needs and potential dangers to leadership at the State House and urge constituents to do the same. I believe that many squeaky wheels will get the grease. |
I think the most effective way of accomplishing these goals is for members of the Council to work together, rather than negotiating deals for their own areas, and to enlist the mayor and the heads of Parks and Environmental Dept. I would enlist public support by asking that each BPS high school take part in designing and recommending where paths and bike lanes could go. I would use their work as part of a public relations campaign for the project. |
Craig Cashman |
Boston needs to begin implementing raised crossings to improve safety for pedestrians in the city of Boston but also to slow down traffic on neighborhood streets. A Raised crossing will slow down traffic on Kenrick Street at the entrance to Chandler's pond where there is currently no safe place to cross between the Newton town line and Lake Street. The rampant cut through traffic on Portsmouth St. will be slowed with a raised crossing from Waverly Apartments to the Portsmouth Street Playground. We also need to implement more pedestrian crosswalk warning systems like the one at Hano St. and Cambridge St. near the the Union Square Fire Station. This was put in place after the death of a 12 year-old BPS student and we should not wait for another tragedy to mobilize and realize these improvement. There are feature we need for improved safety for all. |
I will always be an advocate for bringing Boston's public transit into the 21st century. We need to invest in electrifying the commuter rail, expand this service to more areas and increasing the frequency on these lines. This will relieve some of the stress put on our dated subway system, our buses and our congested roadways. I will work with state officials and be a vocal supporter of public transit in City Hall. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the MBTAs increasing issues and need to continue to be proactive when coming up with the necessary solutions. Locally we can also continue to push public-private partnership by pushing for increased shuttle service among the development community. If developer is going to promote a project as transit oriented they should be prepared to make significant investment locally in public transit. |
I will continue the already on-going collaboration with mobility activists in city hall and always work to champion these improvements across multiple city agencies. As the city, but Allston Brighton in particular, moves through the current wave of development we need to call upon this community to make a significant investment in these types of infrastructure features. We need to build infrastructure for future and that begins with thoughtful and comprehensive planning. |
Additional Questions
Click on the categories below for the complete question asked. Click on any answer with a * for further explanation of the candidate's stance.
Do you support: |
1. Vision Zero 1. Vision Zero is an approach which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries and has been adopted by Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, and many other cities across the country. Do you support the principles of Vision Zero policies and funding for their rapid implementation? click outside popup to close |
2. State law allowing automated enforcement 2. One key strategy that has been proven to effectively reduce speeding, improve safety, and remove racial bias in traffic enforcement in other states and countries is automated enforcement (i.e. speed cameras and red light cameras). Do you support S.1376, An Act relative to automated enforcement, which if passed would authorize cities and towns in Massachusetts to opt into the use of automated enforcement? To see the full text of the bill, visit malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1376 click outside popup to close |
3. Bike Network Plan 3. Do you support the implementation of improved bike facilities identified in your community’s Bike Network Plan or do you support the creation of a Bike Network Plan if none already exists? click outside popup to close |
4. Age-friendly walking conditions 4. Do you support creating age-friendly walking conditions in your community -- an issue raised by many seniors as critical to their ability to 'age in community'? If yes, how? click outside popup to close |
(more below) |
Elizabeth Breadon |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support* Elizabeth BreadonWalk lights near senior housing should be slowed down in response to the Walk Button so seniors can safely cross a street. Faint crosswalks need repainting and portable Crosswalk signs should be placed in crosswalks on busy streets. BPD and BTD should be a presence and be willing to stop and cite drivers to drive through crosswalks while people are trying to cross. The Council should hold a hearing on this issue at which people can try to use crutches or a cane and get a sense of what it takes to cross Chestnut Hill Ave at Cleveland Circle, for example. click outside popup to close |
|
Craig Cashman |
Strongly Support* Craig CashmanI always advocate for these policies and will assist in finding additional funding at the state and federal level, but also call for more investment from the private sector. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support* Craig CashmanAssuring that our senior are able to age in community is something that is important to me because I have many senior family members in Allston Brighton. We have to assure that pedestrian infrastructure is adequate for the safety of all and this includes seniors. click outside popup to close |
Do you support: |
5. Restriction of parking for bus-only lanes 5. Do you support the restriction of on-street parking during rush hour in order to create dedicated bus lanes on certain major thoroughfares where bus riders experience significant delays due to traffic congestion? click outside popup to close |
6. New revenue sources 6. Do you support exploring new ways of raising revenue to provide Boston with more tools to improve conditions for people walking, using mobility assistive devices, biking, and using public transit (e.g. increasing the gas tax, implementing congestion pricing, increasing fees on Uber/Lyft)? If yes, please give examples that interest you. click outside popup to close |
7. Dynamic parking meter pricing 7. Do you support the rollout of dynamic parking meter pricing in business districts, which would increase meter rates during periods of increased demand, to free up on-street parking and reduce cars "cruising" for open spaces? click outside popup to close |
8. Traffic signal timing that prioritizes people walking 8. Boston has many traffic signals that do not work well for pedestrians. Do you support making signal timing safer, easier, and more convenient for people walking and using mobility assistive devices at all paces? click outside popup to close |
(more below) |
Elizabeth Breadon |
Strongly Support* Elizabeth BreadonYes, yes, a thousand times yes. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support* Elizabeth BreadonI am keenly aware of the thousands of drivers that come into Boston to work at large nonprofits that do not pay the relatively small Payment in Lieu of Taxes the City asks for. Also, institutions have fleets of cars, trucks and buses that are particularly hard on our roads. Thousands of drivers use Boston roads for medical appointments to come to museums or sporting events. Institutions collect a steady stream of money in their parking garages. I would explore many formulas for collecting money from all of them to improve Boston transit conditions. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support |
|
Craig Cashman |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support* Craig CashmanI would support dynamic meter pricing to free up spaces but we also need to implement "Parking Benefit Districts" in Boston to retain some of the revenue in the business districts. This revenue could be used to make necessary improvements in the area such a repainting bike/bus lanes/crosswalks or fixing damaged sidewalks. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support |
|
Do you support: |
9. Charging for residential parking permits 9. Do you support charging an annual fee for residential parking permits? click outside popup to close |
10. Reducing/ eliminating MBTA fares 10. Do you support reducing or eliminating MBTA fares for people with low income? click outside popup to close |
11. Ensuring large-scale developments are walkable, resilient, green, and connected 11. Do you support ensuring large-scale developments (including Sullivan Square, the Allston I-90 Interchange, and Suffolk Downs) incorporate the community's desire for walkability, connectivity, open space, and resiliency? click outside popup to close |
||
Elizabeth Breadon |
Strongly Support* Elizabeth Breadon$25 per permit with exclusions for elderly and people with handicaps. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support* Elizabeth BreadonReducing or eliminating MBTA fares for people with low incomes will help them get to and from work which helps them, employers, and the economy. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support* Elizabeth BreadonThere should be no question about this in any large development. click outside popup to close |
||
Craig Cashman |
Somewhat Support* Craig CashmanThe issue with resident parking from the beginning has been enforcement. From Cleveland Circle to Brighton Center municipal lots, you'll see cars parked for days with out of state plates. People who register their car in Boston and pay excise tax directly into the city coffers should be able to park on city streets and near their homes. What's not fair is getting permits for multiple cars and using streets as a personal parking garage. I would support imposing a modest permit fee for a second vehicle registered at a specific address and fees that escalates steeply for additional vehicles. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support* Craig CashmanI do not believe that now is the time to eliminate fares for riding the MBTA but would support fare reduction programs for certain communities in need. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support* Craig CashmanWe need to assure that the "People's Path" becomes a reality and that the vision of the community is realized. click outside popup to close |
About the Candidate
Policy Proposals
Additional Questions
I always advocate for these policies and will assist in finding additional funding at the state and federal level, but also call for more investment from the private sector.
Walk lights near senior housing should be slowed down in response to the Walk Button so seniors can safely cross a street. Faint crosswalks need repainting and portable Crosswalk signs should be placed in crosswalks on busy streets. BPD and BTD should be a presence and be willing to stop and cite drivers to drive through crosswalks while people are trying to cross. The Council should hold a hearing on this issue at which people can try to use crutches or a cane and get a sense of what it takes to cross Chestnut Hill Ave at Cleveland Circle, for example.
Assuring that our senior are able to age in community is something that is important to me because I have many senior family members in Allston Brighton. We have to assure that pedestrian infrastructure is adequate for the safety of all and this includes seniors.
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.
I am keenly aware of the thousands of drivers that come into Boston to work at large nonprofits that do not pay the relatively small Payment in Lieu of Taxes the City asks for. Also, institutions have fleets of cars, trucks and buses that are particularly hard on our roads. Thousands of drivers use Boston roads for medical appointments to come to museums or sporting events. Institutions collect a steady stream of money in their parking garages. I would explore many formulas for collecting money from all of them to improve Boston transit conditions.
I would support dynamic meter pricing to free up spaces but we also need to implement "Parking Benefit Districts" in Boston to retain some of the revenue in the business districts. This revenue could be used to make necessary improvements in the area such a repainting bike/bus lanes/crosswalks or fixing damaged sidewalks.
$25 per permit with exclusions for elderly and people with handicaps.
The issue with resident parking from the beginning has been enforcement. From Cleveland Circle to Brighton Center municipal lots, you'll see cars parked for days with out of state plates. People who register their car in Boston and pay excise tax directly into the city coffers should be able to park on city streets and near their homes. What's not fair is getting permits for multiple cars and using streets as a personal parking garage. I would support imposing a modest permit fee for a second vehicle registered at a specific address and fees that escalates steeply for additional vehicles.
Reducing or eliminating MBTA fares for people with low incomes will help them get to and from work which helps them, employers, and the economy.
I do not believe that now is the time to eliminate fares for riding the MBTA but would support fare reduction programs for certain communities in need.
There should be no question about this in any large development.
We need to assure that the "People's Path" becomes a reality and that the vision of the community is realized.