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Somerville Candidate Profile: Holly Simione For City Councilor At Large

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 15:21 GMT by Patch

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Holly Simione: A Profile of Somerville’s City Council Candidate

In the lead-up to the upcoming Somerville City Council election, residents are looking to the city’s own Holly Simione as a potential candidate who promises to bring fresh perspectives, long‑standing community ties, and a record of public service to the council chamber. The Patch.com profile outlines Simione’s background, her campaign priorities, and the endorsements she has garnered from a diverse cross‑section of local stakeholders.

A Long‑Standing Connection to Somerville

Holly Simione’s roots in Somerville run deep. She grew up on the “Baker Street” neighborhood, attending St. John’s School and later graduating from the University of Massachusetts Boston with a degree in Public Policy. After college, Simione worked as a community outreach coordinator for the Somerville Housing Authority, where she helped develop affordable housing projects and advocated for tenant rights. Her experience in this role provided her with a firsthand understanding of the city’s housing crisis, a key issue she vows to address if elected.

Simione’s public service record is notable. Prior to her current campaign, she served as a board member of the Somerville Community Development Corporation (SCDC), where she oversaw projects that transformed underutilized lots into community gardens and youth centers. She also chaired the city’s Youth Advisory Council, working directly with young residents to shape policy decisions that affect their daily lives.

Campaign Priorities: Safety, Sustainability, and Inclusivity

Simione’s platform is built around three pillars: public safety, sustainable growth, and inclusive community engagement.

Public Safety: Drawing on her experience as a former volunteer with the Somerville Police Department’s Community Outreach Unit, Simione proposes a neighborhood policing model that emphasizes collaboration with local residents. She calls for increased funding for mental health crisis response teams and a citywide initiative to improve lighting and surveillance in high‑crime areas. “Safety isn’t just about law enforcement; it’s about creating an environment where people feel secure enough to thrive,” she says.

Sustainable Growth: The candidate pledges to accelerate the city’s green‑building standards and to expand the existing network of bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. Simione champions a plan to retrofit 200 existing public buildings with solar panels by 2028, projecting a reduction of the city’s carbon footprint by 25% over the next decade. In addition, she supports the “Somerville Solar Farm” proposal, a partnership with local schools to provide renewable energy education.

Inclusive Community Engagement: Simione is committed to ensuring that all Somerville residents have a voice in city government. She proposes the establishment of a citywide Digital Town Hall series to reach older adults and low‑income families who may not have reliable internet access. Her campaign also highlights a partnership with the Somerville Asian American Cultural Alliance to improve language services across municipal offices.

Endorsements and Support

Simione’s profile lists a wide array of endorsements that illustrate her broad appeal. Among her supporters are the Somerville Neighborhood Association, which praised her community‑centered approach to policy; the local chapter of the NAACP, which lauded her commitment to equity; and the Somerville Public School Board, which emphasized her advocacy for increased funding for after‑school programs.

Her most high‑profile endorsement comes from former Mayor Thomas "Tom" P. Kelly, who called her “a steady hand in the midst of rapid change.” Kelly’s endorsement signals a shift from the city’s recent history of polarizing politics to a more collaborative style.

Campaign Activities and Outreach

Simione’s campaign has been active on both traditional and digital fronts. She held a town‑hall event at the Somerville Civic Center last month, where she listened to constituents’ concerns about the proposed new “Green Line” extension. The event attracted over 300 attendees and featured a live Q&A segment where Simione addressed topics ranging from zoning changes to public transportation fare increases.

Her social media presence is also robust. On Facebook, her page has garnered more than 4,000 likes, with frequent updates that include short videos where she shares insights on council decisions and highlights local success stories. The campaign’s website—available at www.hollysimione4council.org—features an interactive map of her policy priorities, a calendar of upcoming events, and a donation portal.

Simione also plans a series of “Coffee & Conversation” events, in which she will meet residents in neighborhood cafés to discuss issues such as affordable childcare and senior services. According to her campaign manager, these gatherings are a key strategy for building trust in communities that have historically felt disconnected from city politics.

Looking Ahead

The Patch profile highlights the significance of Simione’s candidacy in the context of Somerville’s evolving political landscape. With the city facing challenges such as housing shortages, infrastructure aging, and growing demands for social services, Simione positions herself as a candidate who bridges experience with innovative solutions.

In an interview, Simione said, “Somerville’s strength has always been its people. My goal is to ensure that every voice is heard, and every resident has access to the resources they need.” Whether she will secure the seat on the city council remains to be seen, but her profile paints a portrait of a candidate who has spent her career listening to and advocating for the community she calls home.