Old-timer, two newbies running for seat

The merits of an experienced politician versus one with a fresh eye are being debated in a special Board of Aldermen election as Jack Connolly, a 22-year-veteran of the board who was ousted in 2005, makes a run against two candidates seeking their first public office.

Marty Martinez, who has twice run unsuccessfully for alderman, and Bob Daut, a former prosecutor making his first run, are opposing Connolly in a preliminary election April 10 to replace state Representative Denise Provost, who resigned her at-large seat in October. The top two vote getters will continue to a May 15 election.

Connolly, a 55-year-old insurance agent, said he was "drafted" to campaign by Somerville residents who urged him to run. He said that if he is elected, he could hit the ground running and would be able to quickly join budget discussions.

"There's no on-the-job training necessary for me," he said.

Martinez, who last week started a job as director of program services for The Mass Mentoring Partnership, and Daut, a real estate litigator who worked for five years as a prosecutor in the Middlesex district attorney's office, identify two of the same issues as important to them: improving programs for youth and making Somerville more affordable. The difference, Daut said, is how they enact changes.

Daut, who spent his teenage years in foster homes and state-run facilities in Chicago, and later worked as prosecutor in the Massachusetts juvenile system, criticized Martinez, who worked as the city's youth director for nearly two years, for integrating "violent gang members" into youth programs during his tenure.

Martinez called that "completely inaccurate," saying he created intervention and prevention programs for young teenagers being targeted by gangs. He said he left the city job because he wanted the freedom to come up with creative ways to address gang issues without the political considerations.

Both Martinez and Daut say more needs to be done to make Somerville affordable for families. Martinez called for the affordable housing requirement that is part of a redevelopment at Union Square to be raised from the proposed 12.5 percent to 15 percent. Daut said he hasn't decided on an appropriate percentage, but said he wants to make sure the development happens responsibly and quickly to build a commercial base, which would take some weight off property owners.

Daut's other priority, he said, would be improving public safety. He said he wants to hire more police officers, encourage a more focused use of community policing and work to get new facilities for the police and fire departments.

Martinez said he would work to create open and accessible government.

Connolly said he's "probably the most qualified person" for the at-large seat and pointed to the vibrancy of Davis Square as his "résumé." He said his experience as an alderman overseeing the square's development into a destination spot "lends a huge amount of expertise" to the redevelopment of Union Square and Assembly Square. He attributes his close loss to Rebekah Gewirtz in 2005 to his constituents deciding to make a change.

He said he would urge the mayor and his administration to settle outstanding fire and police contracts, which he described as "a festering sore." He said he would also encourage the city to pursue talks with Tufts and Harvard universities about building affordable housing in Somerville.