Students debate Medford city politics

Whether it was "Mitch for Medford" or "Hauswirth is worth your vote," catchy slogans tried to lure voters to Pearson Hall Wednesday night.

The two candidates, freshmen Heather Hauswirth and Mitch Robinson, squared off in a mock debate on the Medford mayor's seat. Students offered views on problems facing Medford, all while trying to sway the audience in their favor.

Both candidates offered similar solutions to city issues. In their roles as candidates, Hauswirth and Robinson stressed that their inexperience and innovation were their best qualities, as well as that by optimizing Medford's resources, the city would be able to open up to businesses and end the budget deficit.

Concerning the budget, both candidates agreed that Medford was the ideal location for business growth, and that environmentally-efficient development along the Mystic River would also greatly benefit the community.

"Medford is in need for change, the future of Medford can be changed," began Robinson. Hauswirth later added, "I want to capitalize on the resources Medford, has to offer."

Both candidates rejected the implementation of a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) payment program -- where Tufts would give a set amount of money to the city of Medford for services provided. The University does not have to pay taxes to the city because it is a non-profit institution. Neither candidate felt that PILOT payments were an appropriate means for reaching cohesion between the Medford and Tufts communities.

"Tufts does not have access to as many resources as Harvard or MIT to donate money to the community," said Hauswirth of the Cambridge schools that do participate in PILOTs. "I do not support the PILOT system, but Tufts students can go in to the community and help and strengthen the relationship," she said. Both Robinson and Hauswirth also sought methods to ameliorate the breach between the Tufts and Medford communities.

Before the debate, local community leaders spoke to the class to educate students on Medford issues. Somerville Alderman Bill White, State Representative Vincent Ciampa, and Medford Police Officers addressed the class.

Students broke into "campaign teams" before the debate, researching issues and questions for the debate. The teams also produced brief campaign commercials.

The debate was held as part of "Generation Y and the Future of Political Service," an Explorations class led by senior Laura Lessard and junior Jeff Finkelman, both members of the campus organization United Leaders. United Leaders was founded at Tufts to encourage students to put public interest before self interest in the next generation of political leadership.

Lessard and Finkelman's expectation for the course is, "to bridge the gap between service and politics by talking about the political implications of service." They hope to "get [the students] thinking about how to get involved in politics, what it takes to run for office, and the issues they might need to deal with in public life."

Students were required to fulfill eight hours of community service around the area during the month of October, in an attempt to gain a better understanding of local issues. Upon the completion of their eight hours, the students will complete paper on a public policy issue related to their service.

Freshmen Sarah Rapaport was satisfied with the course material and activities.

"I'm interested in politics and change; it's a good opportunity to help the community," Rapaport said. "The course focuses on the politics of community service, which is usually not covered."