Hey! So Glad You're Here.
The Salem Commoner is a digest created to empower Salem's pro-housing and pro-growth residents. We do this by demystifying the planning and development process in our community and build the power of local organizers.
​
Our core values:
-
We believe that housing is a human right. Creating and sustaining abundant housing options for all is at the heart of solving our community's greatest challenges.
-
We support development patterns that facilitate low or no-carbon lifestyles.
The Salem Commoner periodically curates and summarizes projects and policy initiatives working their way through City boards, committees, and the City Council that are worthy of attention. Because democracy doesn't work without participants, we also provide instructions on how you can participate in the discourse.
Christine Madore is the creator and primary contributor of The Salem Commoner. A former Salem City Councilor, Christine's professional background is urban planning and development. Christine lives in downtown Salem and currently works at Massachusetts Housing Partnership, where she oversees its transit-oriented development program, as well as provide on-call technical assistance to communities seeking to build more affordable housing. Christine is currently a State appointee on the Salem Redevelopment Authority.
Additional contributors to The Salem Commoner live, work, and are raising their families in Salem. Our contributors have professional backgrounds in local government, urban planning, technology, and community organizing.
The Pineapple
The pineapple is a ubiquitous symbol of warmth and hospitality that adorns the homes of Salem. Legend has it that New England sea captains and their families would spear a precious pineapple on their iron gatepost as a common symbol to signal safe return and welcome friends and neighbors into their homes to share food and drink, and listen to tales of the captain's voyage. The symbol of the pineapple speaks to Salem's history of exploration and welcoming spirit that carry into present day.
The Salem Commoner will periodically assign pineapples as a call to action. They indicate whether a project or initiative is in line with our values.
A happy pineapple means the project or initiative is worthy of support from pro-housing and pro-growth residents. Show up and speak in favor!
A sad pineapple means the project or initiative is potentially harmful to the growth and prosperity of our community. Show up and speak in opposition!