Senate aide to run against Trane

By George P. Hassett

Rachael Heller wants to make a difference. And that, she said, is the reason she is running  against Ward 7 Alderman Robert C. Trane.

“I'm running because we have real challenges in the city and in this ward,” she said.  “I’m committed to addressing these concerns and bringing accountability to City Hall.”

Heller moved to Somerville three years ago and bought a home in Ward 7 shortly after. She said she often hears neighbors express anxiety about the direction Somerville is headed. “I hear all these different concerns and I want to do something about them,” she said.

She said she plans to run a strong grassroots campaign. She plans to walk the entire district and visit over 2,000 homes in the ward to discuss local residents’ ideas for their neighborhoods and for the city, she said. Interacting with her neighbors, she said, is more important to her campaign than pointing out differences between herself and Trane.

Heller is an aide for state Senator Susan Tucker, the chairwoman of the Senate Housing Committee. She said she is Tucker’s point person on issues such as homelessness, affordable housing and addressing the mortgage foreclosure crisis.

“As a Senate aide, I understand the importance of taking care of the day-to-day needs of local residents, and that will always be a top priority. I also bring experience in housing and environmental policy and will be a strong voice for families in the district when important decisions on housing developments and open space are under debate.”

Heller has never worked on a political campaign in Somerville but she has worked with the Affordable Housing Organizing Committee on issues surrounding affordable housing in the city, particularly in Union Square.  She said if elected, she would advocate for more after school and summer programs for kids in the city.

  Heller will be facing Trane, the board’s current president. Trane said he has never met Heller. “I have never seen her at any neighborhood meetings or community events,” he said.

The only interaction he has had with Heller was when she sent him an e-mail last year urging him to support Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone’s proposal to revise the condominium conversion laws in the city, he said. He said he was excited about hitting the campaign trail.

“I look forward to meeting with the residents of Ward 7 and talking with them about my progressive record as their alderman,” he said.

Comments

[Somerville Resident]

Rachael Heller, you rock! Show old boy Trane the door! Too bad I'm not in Ward 7...

[Kick]

You really stick it to that male "PIG" he just don't like women, in fact he is just plain bloody scared of them , just give him hell and while you are at it put the hell up "JOEY CAKES" as well he will slowley loose control of the board and then see him squirm.

[Kick]

You really stick it to that male "PIG" he just don't like women, in fact he is just plain bloody scared of them , just give him hell and while you are at it put the hell up "JOEY CAKES" as well he will slowley loose control of the board and then see him squirm.

[Kick]

You really stick it to that male "PIG" he just don't like women, in fact he is just plain bloody scared of them , just give him hell and while you are at it put the hell up "JOEY CAKES" as well he will slowley loose control of the board and then see him squirm.

[Somerville Resident]

Well, that photo is just not very flattering. That's all.

>male "PIG"<

[Dominic Santos]

"I look forward to meeting with the residents of Ward 7 and talking with them about my progressive record as their alderman," he said.

Why do moderate democrats in Somerville feel it necessary to proclaim themselves as progressive during election season? Stand up for moderate policies! If you're not progressive and say you are while running against a lefty progressive, you will obviously lose. The election will be between a dull apple (moderate pretending to be progressive) and a shiny apple (progressive lefty), instead of an orange and an apple. Trane be an orange.

[SO]

Why is the article 80% about Heller and 20% about Trane, but the photo is 100% Trane? Maybe Heller has been at community events and neighborhood meetings but Trane didn't know she was there because he doesn't know what she looks like. How can he say that she wasn't there if he doesn't know her?

BTW, I live in Ward 7. What neighborhood meetings is Trane talking about? He never invited me to a neighborhood meeting. The only thing I've heard about going on in Ward 7 is the city-wide clean up day and a neighborhood bbq that Tufts held for the neighbors around campus.

[Somerville Resident]

Exactly. Trane isn't that sharp, it seems. Let me guess: Heller was at all of those meetings but, being a woman, Trane assumed she was a waitress and paid no attention to her. Sounds familiar?
Time to go, piglet !

>>
Maybe Heller has been at community events and neighborhood meetings but Trane didn't know she was there because he doesn't know what she looks like. How can he say that she wasn't there if he doesn't know her?
>>

[3 years]

I don't know anything about Rachael Heller, so I won't knock her for whatever politics she may or may not align herself with. But How in the hell can anyone live in this city for three years and expect to know what is best for anyone? Why don't you stick around and learn a few things before you jump in the saddle? What's the rush?
Progressives wonder why old Somerville does not trust them. Maybe it is because they want to run these people with zero history in the community. We live in Mass., I'm sure there are plenty of longtime residents that would fall under a progressive banner. But these newbies have not moved beyond their little cliques. Oh, but they're all about being for the people, they're above political divisivness.

[The Clique]

Because it's all about the power. They don't care as much about 'Progressive' policies as they do about someone from their clique being elected.
And they know better than the rest of us, don't ya know!

[Antoine Walker]

To nitpick: shouldn't the headline here say "Aide" and not "Aid"?

Also, whatever your peronal political view may be, why knock anyone willing to devote their time and energy to running for Alderman? This isn't a glamorous job leading to wealth and fame...These people (old/new/moderate/progressive/etc.) are citizens trying to make a difference and do something for the community. For that I salute them regardless of politics.

[Somerville Resident]

Yup, learn a few things: First thing is to bow to the current old boys, don't shake things up because they cannot take it!
What's the rush? Dunno, perhaps something is going to hell pretty fast.
Go for it Rachel!

>>
Why don't you stick around and learn a few things before you jump in the saddle? What's the rush?

[Somerville Resident]

...Unlike the way it is for the current "politicians" in our town?... Stop projecting, buddy.

>>
Because it's all about the power. They don't care as much about 'Progressive' policies as they do about someone from their clique being elected.

[nobody2]

Rachel Heller does not have the management experience necessary to make policy. She is an idealist who doesn't understand the way the real world works. I have met her in person though another connection (not a community event) and she is a likeable person, but she just doesn't have practical real world experience, and she has zero non governmental, private sector experience, which frightens me given that and her age. I'm willing to accept a lifelong government worker/politician if I have to, but they have to have some sort of management experience to make up for not living in the real world.

[Somerville Resident]

Interesting... She's "likable", how kind... The kind of veiled disparaging comment good old boys would make about a woman running for something 50 years ago.
And explain to the rest of us, how does the real world REALLY work?... Let me guess: you get money from a "sponsor" and do them a favor behind the curtains in exchange?
Look, Rachel can always get good advice from people with more experience in domains where she lacks it. And then decide for herself whether to follow it or not.

[abc]

You watch the news ,read the papers talk to people and learn whats going on around you. A child can make policy and manage the real world better than some of our neurotic-psychotic politician.If term limit was place in our government, America would be a different and i think better place.
New face, new ideas,and maybe just maybe an honest one.

[Somerville Resident]

You got it, abc... The argument from Trane's buddies against Rachel seems to be that she does not know how the real world REALLY works. Which is another way of saying that she is "just" an idealist, somebody who is naively HONEST. In the real world, you seat down with the other old boys and a few beers at Hooters and figure out some shady deal.

>>
New face, new ideas,and maybe just maybe an honest one.

[3 years]

It's funny, in all the posts on this subject, no one said one thing supporting Bob Trane. But to question a progressive's credentials means you're all about the "good ole boys."
Look at who the progressives run: they have a legal AIDE who lived in the city for THREE YEARS run for alderman. They have a librarian who admits the last elected position she held was in fifth grade. Do you honestly expect us to take them seriously? Do they not have any experienced, long time residents in their fold? Or are they just a social club of idealists? And what makes them more "progressive" than any average Masshole?
Somerville "resident." There are those of us in Somerville who are looking for change. But we don't want change for the sake of change. Long time resident does not equal corrupt politician supporter. Your rhetoric is the reason why progressives can't get past their little cliques, you spend all your time insulting the intelligence of the people you should be trying to gain support from. These progressives should spend more time recruiting and gaining support before they run inexperience, uninformed "residents" who average people suspect, rightly or not, have one foot in the door and the other ready to run to the next opportunity.

[Antoine Walker]

Sorry--three years is plenty of time for someone interested, intelligent, and committed to learn about Somerville and have enough knowledge/familiarity to run for Alderman. If that time frame is perceived as too little, the voters will let her know come election time.

[Somerville Resident]

I agree, 3 years is plenty of time to learn. And the usual scare tactics won't work. You probably forgot to add that the AIDE is (GASP!) a woman... Long time RESIDENT may not equal "corrupt" (as I know plenty of decent residents), but long time ALDERMAN most likely does.

[Ward 3 Voter]

Come Heller what are you afraid of? lets see your picture

[Somerville Resident]

I doubt she's afraid of anything. Simply, she was not asked for one.

[3 years]

I disagree that three years is enough time to know about Somerville. I don't think that gives the city enough credit for the diverse and complex town that it is. And if someone were to enter a race after such a short period of residence, they better have an impeccable record, which Heller apparantly doesn't. I'm glad I don't live in ward 7 so I don't have to decide between either of these candidates.
Somerville "resident,"
Is there a liberal alternative to Fox you could get a job at? Your spinning is giving me a headache. No one says anything to support Trane, yet you criticze people who question Heller's credentials. No one says anything about women running for office, yet you have to raise the issue that she's a woman, which is apparantly very important to your vote. I'm through with your childern's games. I only hope people reading your posts can see through your spin.

[Not an Island]

Somerville Resident can't seem to get along with anyone.

[Somerville Resident]

Trane must be scared if his little attack dogs are already coming out barking.

[thenoseknows]

somerville resident....are there any politicians that you ever liked or had respect for ....in local, state or national politics. and im being serious, if there are some please tell me who they may be? if i may speak for others ,we would like to know who?

[Somerville Resident]

I like Howard Dean, for example. Pragmatic, direct, honest. I'd be happy if he were our mayor or MA Governor. I dislike Kerry.

[Ward 3 Voter]

Rachel is just another poster girl in my books. so ms rachel if you read this tell us more about you besides you work with a senator tucker? why didn't you go to work with senator jehlen? ms rachel i do have to take my hat off to you at least you are running local first than perhaps someday alderman at large than mayor than state representative and perhaps state senator. ladies and gentlemen of the somerville stay tuned. Alderman Trane good luck

[Yeehhaa!]

Somerville Resident,
Can you make the same noise Howard Dean made when he sank his political career? Real pragmatic.

[Somerville Resident]

Sure, the same noise he made when he got Congress back to the Dems with the 50 states strategy. Won't last too long though because the Dems are shooting themselves in the foot.

[SomersGetheShaft]

I've lived in Ward 7 for many years. Awhile back (3 years ago, I think)I called Ald. Trane about a particular measure concerning Assembly Square development. Trane responded with full-bore belligerence, questioning my intelligence and automatically assuming I was a MVTF member. I sure wasn't.

I have never heard diddly-squat from Trane over the years about any local meetings concerning Ward 7 issues. Maybe he's just been too busy with cronies, campaign-contributors and out-of-town contractors.

This Trane is off the tracks with a loose caboose.

[Somerville Resident]

... See how the real world REALLY works? Move along, all is well :)

[Mr. White]

I live in Ward 7 and to be honest it's pretty quiet over here. Teele Sq. is cool and not as crowded as Davis. Lots of students that rent and others who bought in Somerville to try and flip their properties (no more profit in that for now).

Works for me.

Bob Trane isn't a bad guy. I've tossed a few back with him at PJ Ryans. I don't know if he is the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I'll end up giving him my vote as I know nothing about Ms. Heller.

Also, it does appear that she's running in this race just to get her feet wet for politics. She is not a "keeper" and isn't she kind of "large and in charge"? All set with that nonesense. I mean I drink and I drink, but I've never gotten "Heller" drunk. Yet.

[Agnostic]

"Large and in charge"? What does that mean exactly? ...
How about "Vain and insane"?

[Mary Lewis]

The number 1 question..........

Are you for sanctuary cities? If so, I sure wouldn't vote for her!

[Somerville Politics]

Rachael Heller has a campaign website. It is located at http://www.rachelheller.com/