Dear neighbor,
All summer long, I have been talking with voters and listening to their concerns about the aggressive development happening in our neighborhood. Most people know that we need to be a lot smarter about development. I’m happy to see that David Biele has followed my lead, at long last, and gotten around to talking about this issue.
However, David’s claim that he’ll protect the neighborhood from too much development rings a little hollow. David Biele raised over $10,000 from developers this summer, and he used it to pay for newspaper ads and flyers telling you that he’ll stand up to developers.
Here are the facts:
- The developer of Washington Village on Old Colony Ave maxed out his contribution to David Biele’s campaign.
- The developer of the Massport Marine Terminal parcel maxed out his contribution.
- The CEO of the company redeveloping the Old Colony housing maxed out his contribution.
- The owner of Cedarwood, a developer currently building on East 3rd Street between I and K, maxed out his contribution.
And that’s just a few of many examples. David raked in campaign donations from every major developer with a business interest in our neighborhood. And as we know, money talks. Seeing this, can there be any doubt that David Biele is the developer’s choice in this race?
We need to make sure that our neighborhood gets our fair share of investment in public safety, transportation, parks, and schools. I’ll bring my years of state government and private sector experience to bear to advocate for the people of South Boston, and you can trust that I won’t be beholden to anybody.
Sometimes you need a new voice to fix an old problem. I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, September 4.
—Matt Rusteika
Development: My Promise to You
Community impacts are a more important consideration than developer profits.
I’ll make sure your concerns, big or small, are not just aired but acted upon—and I’ll follow up.
No more run-around from zoning attorneys. I’ll push to level the playing field & make sure residents have as much information as insiders.
Bring back accountability. If something is built that doesn’t stick to the agreed-upon plan, developers must understand that fixing it is their responsibility.
Focus on traffic impacts. Roadway congestion is out of control. We need a multi-faceted response that slows cars down, reduces cut-through traffic, provides enough public transit options to meet demand, and fairly considers our parking needs. We can do all this at once.
Sunlight is the best disinfectant. I’ll regularly update constituents about the inner workings of their government via email, social media, and the papers.
Very eye opening and concerning. This is what is wrong with politics. There is no way you stand up to a developer that funded your campaign. Who wants our community to continue to be taken over by condos and developers? Not me. Good luck on Tuesday Matt!!!!
Everyone please think about whether we want our representative in the back pockets of developers.
Zoning and development is a city issue; shouldn’t candidates try to stick to promises they can keep, and speak of legislative efforts?
For anyone who would like to look this up for yourself , go to the OCPF (Office of Campaign and Political Finance) page. It is a go-to for me in State and Local elections. You can see who has contributed to each candidate, their professions and/or affiliations, and the amount donated. And yes, I am a Rusteika supporter and donor. But make your own judgements with the facts regarding big donors. As we all know, money talks.
I live several houses down M street from Matt R. I have one of the last single family homes in our neighborhood with my family/kids. Matt R. Could not be bothered to not only say hello as I walk past his house with my family but couldn’t be bothered to knock on my door with his campaign. What the heck Matt?! We are neighbors but my vote doesn’t count? We are not a house of condos so we are ignorable? 4th generation Southie my ass.
Yes the developer who is transforming the worst housing project in Southie into a beautiful mixed income development contributed to Beale. The transformation of the Mary Ellen McCormack projects is hugely important to Southie. Decrepit, dangerous public housing will soon be a mix of low income residents, work force and market rate housing. Work force housing is for nurses,teachers, and other municipal employees earning $60 to $120,000 a year. These are the residents being boxed out of the housing boom. The fact that Rustieka lists Beals support by this affordable housing developer as a detriment means Rustieka is clueless. Beale understands the need for low come and work force housing. Rustieka can tell you average rent in Somerville.
This article under his own signature proves Matt is unaware what is going on around him. Pathetic,
Couldnt agree more.
Matt purchased a house in Salem. But, he goes around South Boston pandering to the young people about the rising cost of rent? He claims to be a young person going through the same struggles as the rest of us. But, It’s pretty obvious that he is a carpet bagger, which is fine in some places. But, it shouldn’t be fine in South Boston. Electing this guy will result in a Globe Article with a headline reading “What happened to Southie? Is it now the South End?”
We have a housing crisis, we need as many homes as possible. Lost my vote buddy – not that you ever had it.