Re-elect Naima Sait for Somerville Ward 5 City Councilor on November 4th!
Hello!
Naima is a long-time Somerville resident and educator, an Algerian immigrant, and a mother. As a Somerville High School teacher for the last seven years, she sees the issues in our schools as symptoms of broader issues in our city.
Meet Naima
Hello! My name is Naima Sait. I am running for re-election for Ward 5 Somerville City Council. I’m going to use these 5 minutes to tell you a little about me and about what I worked on in my first term on the City Council. There’s more on my website, naimaforsomerville.org
I am a first-generation immigrant from Algeria. When I first moved here all by myself in 2011 at the age of 22, I didn't know anybody. None of my family members lived here. I didn’t have a job or housing. I barely spoke any English. What I had was 2 college degrees and a determination to put myself through grad school and get a job in education.
After a few years of working multiple jobs and working hard on becoming fluent in my fourth language, English, I was able to put myself through grad school, afford rent and start my career in education at Somerville High School where I taught for 7 years.
I applied for US citizenship as soon as possible so I could exercise my right to vote, and became a citizen in early 2017. As a first-generation immigrant working mostly with first-generation immigrant families, I saw how the first Trump administration affected my students’ families: food insecurity, job losses and parents being separated from their children. Staying strong for my students and supporting them in overcoming their challenges was at times overwhelming, but my students were also a source of inspiration and hope. I connected with families, found community, and became a union and a community organizer. It was inspiring to be part of a community that put its energy into positive action. We created a legacy of resilience and hope that helped us make it through those years. Through this experience, the community that embraced me and allowed me to put down roots started to feel like home. Somerville is also where I met my husband; where we got married in 2020 in our backyard and it’s where we are raising our sons.
The more that Somerville felt like home, the more I wanted to deepen my commitment to and involvement in the community and city governance.
In 2023, I ran for office and was elected to represent Ward 5 on the Somerville City Council. I will always be grateful to the Ward 5 community for placing their trust in me. Being an immigrant, educator and parent has helped inform my work as a city councilor, and made me an effective representative in this role.
Together, we have accomplished a lot … but there is so much more to do … and we will have to make do despite the loss of millions of dollars in federal funds, and despite an anticipated decrease in development-related revenues.
In my first term, I worked to address a broad range of issues: (long version with details)
I have supported art organizations by promoting better understanding and more productive dialogue between the City Administration, Arts at the Armory, and community residents about the future of the Armory.
I worked to enhance residents’ housing stability by advocating for sustained funding of the Office of Housing Stability’s expanded staff and housing assistance resources. I helped amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow residents to make their homes accessible by right.
I advanced environment-friendly initiatives. I helped draft a new ordinance requiring energy efficiency disclosures to renters via creation of a rental registry. I was involved in strengthening the Tree Preservation Ordinance, and I put forward a resolution that outlines a step-by-step plan to decarbonize our municipal buildings. I worked with the administration to extend yard waste pickup to December and I advocated for composting in our schools.
I worked on making our roads safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, and residents using other wheeled transportation by having the City install a raised crossing at the Community Path intersection with Cedar Street and by adding to the speed bump evaluation list the streets that are experiencing high speed. I worked with the Mobility division on accelerating the process for the installation of a crosswalk on Lowell St and the process for making the Community path safer for everyone by installing lighting, clear signage and speed limit. I advocated and will continue to advocate for better road safety infrastructure and traffic enforcement at unsafe intersections.
In partnership with Ward 5 School Committee member Laura Pitone, I have advocated for transparency and better communication with parents regarding the progress of school improvement projects and the plan for a swing space. I also advocated for expanded youth and after-school programming. As a former educator, I stood with the Somerville Educators Union in their fight for fully funded schools.
In keeping with our Sanctuary City commitment, I stood with our immigrant neighbors in introducing a Resolution in support of the Massachusetts Safe Communities Act and the Immigrant Legal Defense Act, and have advocated for the resources needed to make Somerville the Sanctuary City we want it to be, including adequate resources to ensure the availability of translation and interpretation services.
I have supported local businesse by working with the City to ensure that businesses are being notified about construction projects and parking changes. I have provided help to secure loading zone spaces for deliveries. I have communicated updates on power outages. I continue to advocate for an economic development improvement plan for Magoun Sq.
In response to constituents’ requests, I have been ensuring developer compliance with ordinances and other requirements.
And, of course, because responding to constituents is a big part of my role, I host regular office hours and I make myself available to Ward 5 residents and businesses with questions or concerns. Please reach out to me any time.
I hope I have earned your confidence and your vote, and I look forward to speaking with as many Ward 5 residents and businesses as possible between now and Election Day to discuss matters that are of concern to you that I may be able to help address as your Ward 5 City Councilor.