Rep. Sciortino Finds Strong Support for Green Line

A Green Line Train at Cleveland Circle. Photo by Alexander Svirsky.

The following letter was submitted for publication by State Representative Carl Sciortino (D-Medford, Somerville)

There has been wide-ranging debate about the level of support in Medford for the extension of the green line, and much of the debate has been fueled by misinformation put forth by opponents who don’t even live in the impacted area of the project. I want to put to rest the notion that Medford as a whole is ambivalent or opposed to this project.

My legislative district includes the entire stretch of the green line through Medford, as well as adjacent neighborhoods in Somerville. Last year in my campaign, I spent months going door to door hearing about peoples’ concerns and priorities. Not surprisingly, I heard from abutters who had valid and reasonable questions and concerns they wanted addressed. But on the whole, I heard time and again a high level of support for the project in both Medford and Somerville.

When I polled my district last summer, I found further evidence of strong support for the extension. 73% of Medford residents responded in support of extending the green line, and of those, 40% said the project was extremely important to them. The numbers in Somerville were similar. Is this unanimous? No. But how often do you get unanimous support for any kind of change, particularly as the project’s details are still unfolding?

I will continue to support the extension of the green line, not only because now is the time to be investing in public transportation for economic and environmental reasons, but also because I know my constituents support and demand it.

Sincerely,

Carl Sciortino
State Representative, 34th Middlesex District