Minka runs again

[Thomas Olbert]

6/02/2013   This evening, Kendall Square's Za restaurant hosted Minka Van Beuzekom's re-election kick-off event.   Running for her second term on the Cambridge City Council, Minka drew a strong and enthusiastic gathering as she outlined her vision for the future of Cambridge and how it fits into the larger vision of progress toward sensible and environmentally conscious energy policy.  On hand were Quinton Zondervan, Robin Finnegan and many other local activists for climate awareness and environmental protection.   Minka gave a rousing and inspiring address as she described her view of public policy as being focused through an "environmental lens."  She outlined a future-looking policy focusing on Cambridge as a center of technological innovation and an “epicenter of ecological thinking”, stressing public transportation, locally generated solar electricity and building up a local electric charging infrastructure.   She also stressed creating jobs through assisting local businesses in expansion efforts whenever possible.  (She mentioned CitiCab, a new local public transportation service.)  She stressed the ecological importance of stopping Ethanol as an energy source, and of reducing fossil fuel emissions in general.  She also stressed the importance of fiscal management as applied to financing such efforts as student loans, home weatherization and addition of solar panels. Minka has been a valuable progressive addition to the Cambridge City Council and a strong voice for environmental awareness.  I join many in wishing her a second term.