In Chelsea and beyond, Latino politicians take center stage

*Across the Mystic from Boston, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Latinos are celebrating significant political victories. Latinos increased their numbers in City Council and the local school board. They admit, though, that there’s still work to be done. VL

By Jill Terreri Ramos, The Boston Globe

CHELSEA — On a recent windy morning, the newly elected Latino members of Chelsea’s City Council and School Committee gathered in front of City Hall to thank voters, snap some group pictures, and celebrate their election earlier in the week.

For these victorious candidates, this month’s election represented a significant change in the political landscape. In a city where at least 62 percent of the population is Latino, the 11-member council will transition from zero Latino members this year to six next year, paving the way for a Latino council president. And on the nine-member school board, five Latinos were elected, two more than the current Latino membership.

“You want representatives on the council that can understand the community, empathize with the community, communicate with the community,” said Roy A. Avellaneda, 44, who was elected councilor-at-large. “It just makes more sense if you have a high Latino population that you would have Latinos on the council.”

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