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Green Line Advisory Group of Medford
Mission Statement
To educate the Medford community on the
proposed Green Line Extension Project in Medford, representing all citizens of the city. We believe the proposed Green Line
Extension project is not just a transit-oriented project but an urban development project. We respect the right of all citizens
to express their concerns openly and honestly thus allowing healthy criticism and skepticism concerning possible adverse consequences.
As responsible citizens, The Green Line Advisory Group for Medford will work toward the betterment of our community as a whole
to protect our important cultural diversity (socioeconomic) whether the proposed Green Line stops at Ball Square, Somerville
or at College and Boston Avenue, Medford, which the Commonwealth has proposed.
Principles/Objectives:
1.
To become a resource tool for our community concerning the proposed Green Line Extension process by educating and informing
the community in an honest and open fashion. Nurture the community participation and knowledge in all processes. Encourage
and value all citizen participation.
2. To encourage people of different socioeconomic backgrounds and life
experiences to contribute a diversity of ideas, expressions, talents and perspectives that enrich communities. This is how
ideas flourish and build.
3. To strive to ensure equal opportunity, accessibility and participation rights
for people with disabilities including environmental justice populations as concerns this proposed urban/suburban development
project.
4. To support the right to a free and open public process around the proposed Green Line Extension
project in Medford. Confront the co-opting of this process by any state and local agency, by special interest and advocacy
groups, or, by developers, real estate speculators and architectural urban planners.
5. To challenge conventional
wisdom and investigate adverse consequences concerning the proposed Green Line extension process and resulting Smart Growth
high density urban development that impacts parking, traffic congestion, air quality, noise pollution and open space.
6.
To promote working with legal bodies and representative government at all levels.
7. To resist state imposed
policies that result in changing the culture of our community and has the potential to create adverse consequences such as
income inequality within the community and lack of affordability. Medford is unique in its historical references and is a
mixed income, family oriented community. We strive to continue to ensure all development is focused to benefit all citizens
no matter class, race, disability, creed, age, gender, religious belief, or sexual orientation.
8. To protect
against urban development projects such as Smart Growth in our community that may create social and environmental degradation.
Medford is an inner suburban and urban city with much open space and low density housing with a village; walk-about feel.
We wish to protect the natural, environmental habitats within our city and oppose the changing of its character to a high
density ;concrete; transient, urban setting.
9. To oppose any community or urban development project that
demands eminent domain taking of private property. Work for natural change within the community, not forced change. Protect
the property rights of all Medford citizens and especially those vulnerable at risk populations who live in low income, elderly
and disability housing.
10. To demand a public process on any university master plan within the city that
encroaches upon neighborhoods.
11. Currently we are not seeking a 501 (c) 3 status for funding purposes.
12.
As a community grassroots group, we are not seeking the support of real estate developers and their interest.
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