This election year keeps getting more interesting: Wicked Local Newton reports that Newton Alderman Greer Tan Swiston is exploring a second run for state representative against incumbent Rep. Kay Khan.
Vote in our poll and tell us who you’d support.
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The only reason I wouldn’t want Swiston is that I’d hate to lose her as an alderman.
Khan has been awol for the last 20 years. It’s time to replace her with someone who can and will make things happen.
@Jeff: You might not like her positions or votes, but it’s not fair to say Khan has been AWOL. I see her everywhere, far more in fact than Creem or Balser.
I don’t dislike Khan – and I certainly like her better than Creem or Balser. I just like Swiston better. Also, I think that it’s unhealthy to have one party so overwhelmingly control the state legislature.
Thanks Greg, I appreciate your comment. I look forward to the opportunity to talk about the many things I have accomplished as state rep both here in the city of Newton for my constituents and as House Chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.
Jeff,
Take a wander over to Washington Street and the ramps on and off 128. (It’s a warm day, take your bike if you can. But, it’s fine if you drive.) On the southeast side, note the brand new sound barriers. Then head on over to Quinobequin Road and walk along the river there. (Your going to have to get out of the car for this part.) Note the absence of highway noise. Those barriers are there because Kay pushed for them.
Get back on Washington Street, heading towards Wellesley. Take a right on Concord Street. On the left just past Baker Place (which is on the right) is the entrance to a DCR footpath. Park. (Sorry, you’re going to have to get out of the car again.) Walk down the path to the new pedestrian bridge over the Charles. Enjoy the view of the river. The bridge was converted to a pedestrian bridge in large part through Kay’s efforts.
Get back on Concord heading toward Washington Street. Take a left on Hagar. From there, merge onto Grove. On the left is the Hamilton Community Center. If you’re feeling cold, head inside. It’s warm because Kay got $500,000 to replace the heating system.
Continue on Grove Street past the Riverside Station. Soon there’s going to be some development there. Kay has been tireless in her efforts to make sure that what goes there is good for the neighborhood and Newton.
Get back in your car and head home. When you get home, type Kay a little note of apology about the AWOL crack.
I’m so glad to see Representative Kahn participating in this forum.
I’ll lay my cards on the table right up front. I think Greer has been a wonderful alderman, and consider her a friend. I don’t believe I’ve ever personally met Kay Kahn, but I have a completely open mind about who to vote for in this election. Because when it comes to sending anyone to Beacon Hill, I want to know where they stand on particular topic of importance to me.
Before she passed away last summer, I watched my wife struggle with brain cancer for three and a half years. The chemotherapy was a nightmare. The only relief she got from the nausea and physical pain associated with that treatment was from the use of marijuana. During the years she was in treatment, I met many other people in similar health situations who depended on marijuana quite literally help them survive. I am very certain my wife would have discontinued her treatment if she did not have access to marijuana to help her with the side effects.
My question for Representative Kahn [or for Greer, if she’s care to respond]…
WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA, AND THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN GENERAL?
Great question Mike. There is no chance Greer supports it. Greer?
Mike, I am so sorry to hear about your wife and her struggle with brain cancer. It must have been very difficult. I do support the legalization of medical marijuana and have co-sponsored the legislation in the last several sessions. If you want to know more about the bill let me know.
I appreciate the words of support and encouragement. Thank you, Jeff and mgwa. Mike, you know we all miss Laurie too.
I have a lot of respect for someone who has served our community for over 16 years. I would imagine that Representative Khan and I share a commitment and passion for Newton and Massachusetts. However, I do feel that it is more effective to contribute and serve in a variety of ways and I believe in trying to involve more people and encouraging new blood. I always thought that was the spirit in keeping American Democracy strong.
I do believe that I have a lot to offer the State Legislature. I have not officially kicked off my campaign as we are doing our exploratory work, but I have no doubt that my approach may differ from that of Ms. Khan’s from time to time since I am a different person with a fresh perspective. Ms. Khan and I have been cordial to one another over the years and I am confident that the debates and discussions we will have over course of the election, if it comes to that, will be civil, insightful and beneficial to our community.
Oh! The question of Marijuana.
Hmm, my answer may make no one happy, but I believe is the responsible thing to do.
I feel that if Marijuana has beneficial medical applications, I see no reason to treat it any differently than any other medical drug with possible addictive properties. This would require stringent doctor supervision as with Oxicontin, Valium and Vicodin along with all the education and warnings.
Greer,
I’m disappointed that you didn’t disassociate yourself from Jeff’s baseless smear.
Sean … I won’t tell someone how he or she should think or feel. It is tempting when he/she is expressing an opinion that differs from mine, but I think you did an admirable job making your points. And perhaps Jeff may have some counter points and you did well to request it. This is how a civil debate is had.
With all due respect Alderman Swiston, your response to Sean just feels like you are ducking the question.
Sorry, Greer. Not buying it.
All Jeff did in this thread is make a sweeping, fact-free swipe at Kay. He did not mention you. He did not allude to you. He made no comment on your potential strength as a candidate or state representative. He just made a swipe. And, yet you thanked him for his “support and encouragement.”
By thanking him for his “support and encouragement,” you associate yourself with his comments. Is that what you think? That Kay’s been “nonexistent”? Is that the basis for your decision to run? Is that how you intend to distinguish yourself from Kay?
Nobody’s suggesting that you tell Jeff how he should think or feel. But, nothing’s stopping you from pointing out that his comments in support of you might be factually without basis.
First comment, maybe was a swipe, but the article is in reference to Swiston vs. Khan. So Jeff’s second comment is obviously his endorsement of Swiston because he feels she “can and will do some good”. Nothing wrong with her thanking him for support. No reason she should comment on what he said about Khan. It sounds like you’re trying to drag her into an unfavorable position because of what you think. That seems unfair and somewhat underhanded.
Thanks to both Rep. Kahn and Alderman Swiston for responding. I’m glad to see that Rep. Kahn not only supports the legalization of medical marijuana, but is also the co-sponsor of enabling legislation. I am very grateful for that, and wish you the best of luck getting the legislation passed as soon as possible.
The voters have been way ahead of the legislature on all issues pertaining to marijuana. Massachusetts voters decriminalized small amounts of marijuana a few years ago, and have voted in favor of liberalized marijuana laws on the last 18 ballot initiatives that have appeared throughout the state. Frankly, I think this clear sentiment of the voters regarding marijuana in general, stands in sharp contrast to my friend Greer’s position expressed above.
Greer, there is no “if” regarding the benefits of marijuana for many people taking chemotherapy to battle cancer. It’s a fact, and you could easily reach that same conclusion yourself by talking to some of the patients who benefit from it. I would strongly urge you to do that.
Thanks again to both for your responses.
gbrett,
It’s actually much simpler than you imagine. Jeff’s comment was completely without a factual foundation. (Calling someone AWOL isn’t really an opinion. Either Kay’s done work for Newton and attended to Newton’s needs or she hasn’t.) I expect that, given the opportunity, candidates will respond to controversial comments made on their behalf.
To our fearless leaders of this blog site, I apologize for not supplying you with the answer you want. However, your question is answered.
I said, and I will say again, that I have a great deal of respect for someone who has served our community for over 16 years.
I do not know on what basis Jeff is using to draw his opinion of Rep. Khan and I think Sean has already prompted him for specifics. Jeff is pretty good with specifics and perhaps he’ll share them. I will agree that I think opinions should be supported by evidence. But I would like to give Jeff a chance to present his issues.
I know the neighborhood along Quinobequin is relieved to finally have sound barriers. When I first ran in 2004, they had been fighting for attention and a voice for over 10 years and no one was listening to them then. It is great that they finally got one in 2010 and that Rep. Khan stepped in to help.
What I think would really benefit Newton is to be able to be involved in more directly at a proactive level on these Transportation issues, perhaps have a seat on the Joint Committee on Transportation, so that we might work with the solution rather than simply react to a situation. It would be great if one of our legislators actually sat on the committee, but I understand that this is often a matter of assignment and if the leadership doesn’t see fit to put a member of the Newton contingent on the committee, even though we are at the intersection and crux of practically every mode of transportation and transit offered in Massachusetts except an airport, then so be it. But as I have observed Alderman Crossley and Alderman Hess-Mahan play a valuable pro-active role with a committee on which they are not a member, there are ways to participate if it is one’s priority to do so.
Greer,
Re: Jeff, I’ve been heard. You’ve been heard. Let’s see what Jeff has to say. Otherwise, I’m ready to move on.
In part, I’m ready to move on because, you’ve scratched this cat’s belly with your thoughts on transportation. Can’t wait to dive deeper on the topic. Please look for a post later this week and join back in!
Ain’t it wonderful being a 16 year incumbent. Being an incumbent means you get to take credit for anything that happens on your watch, no matter how long it took to happen or how big or little your involvement.
Rep. Khan’s approach to her job seems to me to be rather casual. One never hears from or about her unless she has a challenger. Compare the Tab coverage of her activities versus those of Rep. Balser.
Sean talked about the sound barriers (sorry Sean, you know I never go anywhere that I can’t drive, so the walking and/or biking components killed the tour for me :-)) Then Greer points out how many years the community worked on its own to get them installed. Yes, Khan helped, but 10 years later??? Is she an Alderman or a state rep? And is it just a coincidence it happened when challenged by Greer?
I apologize for the sweeping generalization. I shouldn’t have done that. Of course she’s done some stuff. But, after 16 YEARS in office, how about showing some STATEWIDE leadership on issues beyond her home town or personal areas of interest.
And speaking of Rep. Khan only showing up when she’s challenged…I’m a pretty frequent participant on the Tab blog (and recently joined here). When was the last time Rep. Khan has participated on the blog? I don’t remember ever seeing her comment. But now that she’s got a challenger…
Let’s not dismiss criticism of non-blog participation. Communicating with your constituents is an important part of the job. With the Tab blog having 35,000 visitors a month (that’s what Greg reported), that’s where a state rep could gather input from her constituents and offer her views. I’m one of her constituents; why don’t I get a monthly newsletter from her? I get lots of stuff from Greer via multiple forms of communication.
@Jeff: I no longer have the keys to the back end of the TAB Blog (and even if I did there was that famous incident where many comments were lost one fateful afternoon). But (subtract the six months before the last mayoral election) I’d bet that Khan posted more often on that blog than Balser or Creem over the years and for sure more than some of our aldermen or School Committee members.
On the larger issue, I’m glad you’re changing your position from “AWOL” in general to missing in action on significant issues. I’m open to pondering that argument.
I believe it would also be appropriate for one to criticize Rep. Khan for switching her vote on casinos seemingly to win favor with House leadership, but that’s a topic for another day.
Jeff– I understand your point[s], but I think you’re being unfair in this regard… Representative Kahn is participating on this thread at the same time you’re criticizing her for not being a blog participant. Like Greer, she answered my question very quickly and in a forthright manner. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by her response, and glad she’s actively working on an issue of such personal importance to me.
@Mike. Kay and Ruth have been on the right side of so many public health issues that it’s impossible to list them all here. Their enlightened positions on medical marijuana hardly surprise me. We need more nurses, psychologists and social workers in the legislature and far fewer of the yahoos who make a moral issue out of matters that should be private — medical marijuana, treatment for mental illness and depression, alcohol and drug addiction, birth control, gay marriage, etc. The list of their hangups is long and tortuous. They even want people who collect unemployment checks to be tested for drugs. Yeah, that’s in the latest Republican house proposal to extend unemployment coverage.
The story about your wife’s last months with cancer and your use of medical marijuana touched me in a very personal way. I didn’t know you went through this and I feel for your loss. You were good to do what you did in those final months. My mom passed away at home from liver cancer back in 1980. I don’t think there was such a thing as medical marijuana back then, but enough of my friends in Washington said marijuana might make her far more comfortable. So I became willing to get some of the kind you smoke, legal consequences be damned.
The problem was that mom would have none of it. She was afraid that I would get caught and lose my federal government job. Can you imagine that there would be any law enforcement bureaucrat callous enough to intrude on anything that would make her last days more comfortable, but that was the
lay of the land back then. She had enough regular medication to kill the pain, but not the severe nausea. The last few weeks weren’t pretty and she was often in discomfort because of the nausea and side effects from the legally prescribed medications.
I used “there” in line 2 instead of the proper “their.”
Disclaimer: I have never smoked marijuana or any other illegal or illicit drug and am well aware of their addictive qualities. I think, however, that it’s ludicrous to be concerned that either my mom or Mike’s wife would get “stoned” or “high” from the marijuana, or that, God forbid, they would get addicted to the stuff. What problem addiction could possibly hold for a person in the last few weeks of their life is just another one of the la la land convictions that the right holds on to.
For what it’s worth, I just did a quick check of the TAB blog. On Feb. 19, 2009, Greg wrote a “Welcome to the blog,” comment to Rep. Khan when she posted about the footbridge in Lower Falls. I think it’s safe to assume that was her first comment. The other comments I found from her besides that had to do with her endorsement of Ruth Balser for mayor and her change of mind on the casino vote.
Like Greg said, we lost a lot of comments last year, so we could have lost several of hers as well.
I’m not sure where Jeff’s comments about our coverage of Rep. Balser’s activities vs. Rep. Khan’s is coming from. Ruth did run for mayor, so if that counts as an activity that got more coverage from the TAB, yes, Ruth has done more to earn our coverage. But we’ve done stories on Kay’s involvement with the Lower Falls Community Center, the sound barriers, the Newton cultural alliance, legislation to require insurance companies to cover hearing aides (we covered a Newton family who was driving the legislation), etc. In fact, as I write this, I realize that we should probably be paying more attention to what Ruth is doing. And I expect I’ll be getting a call tomorrow…
Jeff and his moving goal posts. She’s done nothing. I mean, she hasn’t met my undefined definition of leadership on any topic that meets my undefined criteria of important, not rooted in her district, and not within her area of expertise. Because we don’t want legislators who care about their districts or are experts on any area of public policy.
Yeesh.
Just to set the record straight on some transportation issues. One one of the first public hearings I organized at Newton City Hall shortly after taking office 1n 1995 was at the request of my Waban constituents who were interested in a sound barrier along Rt. 128 bordering Quinobequin Rd. After the hearing, there were many many meetings over the years with the Waban folks and I am proud to say that after 16 years of persistence on my part this job came to fruition. It was a very expensive and complicated project because it would be impacting the Charles River and crossing two bridges. Conservation and DCR needed to be involved and I can’t tell you how many meetings I arranged with the Mass Highway Department and agencies for 16 years bringing constituents to the table at the Department of Transportation, but there were many as I tried to push forward under the various Administrations of Governors Weld, Celucci, Swift and Romney but it was only under Gov. Patrick that my personal request was honored and he finally agreed to build the barrier that we have in place today.
While the Waban barrier was a top priority, I was also working with my constituents in Auburndale, West Newton and Newtonville who also requested sound barriers along the Mass Pike. The Newtonville barrier was the first one to get the green light because it was higher on the Turnpike’s master list but after many more years of meetings and persistence on my part with all of the various Administrations, the barrier bordering Auburndale/West Newton was finally built again after approximately 16 years of negotiating with all of the Administrations until finally Governor Patrick honored my request and this barrier was built in 2010.
I have done a significant amount of Transportation work here in Newton in my years of service and continue to be committed to making the 3 commuter rail stations on the North side of the city accessible to persons with disabilities. I have worked closely with Congressman Frank for many years who brought in approximately $2 million in federal funding specifically for the Auburndale station and I am pleased to report that I expect a shovel ready preliminary design to be presented to the Auburndale Community this year. The project is listed on the TIP (Transportation Improvement Plan) which is significant and means it will move forward pending full funding. This is another very complicated project but again with persistence, I expect to see results.
I’m not a Republican, or a fan of their politics. But I’d have to think long and hard about this matchup.
For me, despite what is apparently a record of local advocacy and bringing home of bacon by Rep. Khan, her switch of votes on casino gambling was transparently an attempt to curry favor with the new pro-gambling Speaker. Or maybe her ‘no’ vote before was an attempt to curry favor with the then-anti-gambling Speaker. Whichever it is, it speaks negatively to her independence.
That being said, as much as I support Alderman Swiston on the board and in whatever local office she seeks, I’d have a hard time casting a vote for a Republican in a partisan election, given how repugnant I find their current policies at a state and especially federal level.
Ben,
Great points. Though I would never vote for Greer, I understand from where you are coming. When a candidate changes positions so drastically you have to wonder, is it for the vote or is it because they listened and changed their mind. Take Obama’s recent alteration of the birth control issue. I see that as a leader who can compromise. What of this Khan concession? I don’t know the answer. But it is a great point.
I give Kay Kahn a lot of credit for being open minded enough to change her position on casino gambling. Just as I would give Greer Tan Swiston credit if she were to ever change the unfortunate position she stated above on medical marijuana.
While on a personal level one of those issues means more to me than the other, I see them both as similar in this regard. I support freedom in all it’s forms. I’m not an absolutist and I recognize organized societies need some rules. But when the government imposes outright bans on things like gambling and marijuana, they become an oppressor of freedom. I believe that’s contrary to the mission and purpose of OUR government. Land of the Free–Home of the Brave, it’s in our national anthem. Our practices should be more aligned with our philosophy.
@BEN– On an off-topic note, I was wondering if you’re familiar with the outcome of the Denzel Horne case? I believe you were a student at North when the underlying incident took place.
For those who are unfamiliar with this case, Denzel was charged with taping a note containing a bomb threat to the door of Newton North, while he was a 17 year old student at that school.
As the result was exactly the same, [no injuries, simply a disruption], I am mystified as to why this case was viewed as anything more than a student prank, akin to the many false fire alarms for which no one ever seems to get arrested, let alone prosecuted. While a school suspension was certainly in order, terrorism charges seemed more than overblown. Denzel’s first trial resulted in a hung jury. Yet the Commonwealth decided to go for a second trial, which resulted in a guilty finding, and Denzel was sentenced to the House of Correction for at least one year, where the now 22 year old currently resides.
This case has gone completely under the radar. No mention in The Tab or on the Tab Blog. The only media coverage this apparent gross injustice received was on the Newton Patch. I directed this comment at Ben, because I would be interested in his perspective as a student who may have been effected by the incident. I’m also hoping my comments will generate a thread to discuss this case.
@Mike: This is the first I’d heard of this incident as well. I’ve started a new thread on it here.
@Mike – This is the first I’ve heard of it. From a quick read it truly does sound like the judicial system has lost its mind in this case. How anyone can argue that any good can come from locking up a 22 year old FOR YEARS over a stupid 17 year old prank escapes me.
Is this the end of the line on this case? Is there any remaining avenue of appeal?
I really like Greer on a personal level. She cares about the community and is a nice person. Once she even helped me at Keltic Krust when I was trying to juggle my son and a high chair and that stuck with me. Unfortunately, her more conservative stances don’t align with mine at all. My vote will go to Kay Khan.