Chris Steele has the distinction of being the only candidate challenging an incumbent (or in his case, two incumbents: Brian Yates and Deb Crossley) for a seat on either the Board of Aldermen or School Committee this year. (Voters city-wide are eligible to vote for two of the three candidates on Nov. 5.)
In a column posted on Newton Patch, he explains why he’s running, including this excerpt…
It’s not that I think the people currently in the seats are doing a poor job. Both have made excellent contributions based on their own strengths. However, our City charter calls for elections every two years for a reason. Aldermanic seats are not lifetime appointments, nor should they be.
I believe in the democratic process. If we thought it were proper only to wait until someone retires from the Board (or were term-limited off), then elections every two years would have no purpose. Instead, every two years we get to have a conversation about our goals as a City. We get to make decisions about who we think would best serve these important roles in our local government.
A solid, serious candidate. Would bring enthusiasm and fresh ideas to the board. Will “play well with others,” important in a body as diverse as the BOA.
It’s a bit of a cold slap to the voters of Newton and to both Brian and Deb to state that they have somehow enjoyed “lifetime appointments” to the Board. In fact, they have been elected by thoughtful voters or they wouldn’t be where they are today. To give experience and longevity in public service a negative connotation may be a catchy slogan, but, too often, it obscures rather than clarifies the reality of what an individual’s public service has accomplished. In this instance, I’m certain it does.
The endorsers for this candidate and the endorsers for the Steenstrup candidacy include a lot of the same folks. Are these just easy names to get, or has a group formed intending to change current leadership?
@Bob – I didn’t read what he wrote as a slap in the face of the incumbents. I saw it as explaining why he chose to run even though he didn’t think the incumbents are doing a bad job – that it’s wrong to have unopposed races (something I completely agree with.)
@mgwa. I was not, at all, implying that Chris, or anyone else, shouldn’t be challenging incumbents. It was the fact that the issue of “lifetime appointments” was the headline of this post and it was done in the context of Deb and Brian. It was kind of a red flag to me and I think to others as well. It’s the kind of quick campaign slogan that gets quoted over and over again until too many voters assume the incumbents simply have to go. I’ve seen it happen too often where it’s the good candidates that get burned while bad incumbents beat the rap. The wheat is indeed separated from the chaff, but it’s the wheat that gets burned. I’m certain Chris didn’t intend for that to be the direction this thing took, but I could sense it going in that direction.
Challenges like Chris’s are healthy even for the people they challenge. It’s no secret that I’m a big fan and longtime supporter of Brian Yates. This challenge has made him compile a detailed inventory of just how much he has done and continues to do in so many areas of government and the City.
in office.
@Bob,
The headline of the post here, on Village 14, highlighted that one part of a longer post on Newton Patch, which led with a much more general ‘why am I running’ tagline. Chris is an extremely intelligent, articulate candidate and someone I support very much. I’m not supporting him because incumbents should be challenged (although they should), but because I think he’s emblematic of the new, more open-minded direction Newton politics should be heading towards.
I appreciate your point, but I don’t think most people who vote for Chris will do so just because he’s not the incumbent. He has a more robust message than that, and really good control of putting that message forth.
Folks here realize that the headline choice here was mine, not Steele’s. I selected it because to me it raised a point worthy of discussion.
@Bob – I guess Greg must pick headlines that will attract attention so this seems to be a good one on that score.
On this race, I have been able to see these three candidates work around the city and think that Chris would bring something positive to the BOA. It’s great that in Ward 5 there are good folks willing to get involved.
Chris will bring new energy and views into the chamber. Chris has my vote! His views on how the city needs to propel itself future is the primary reason why he is getting my vote. He understands that I want Newton to be great, and I understand that money needs to be spent, however he works in private industry. He understands that we need to live within our budget.
His family attends Newton Public Schools. He understands that is why many of us moved to Newton and continue to live in Newton. He also understands that we can’t expect our city buildings to survive 90 years with minimal maintenance.
He understands we each live in a village of Newton. The small businesses are the life of our village centers and this is important to Chris. I love walking into Newton Highlands and going into the Village Cleaners, One Stop Cleaners and the Green Planet. The owners of these businesses know my family and recognize me as a Village resident. We celebrate Village Day every spring. Anabelle, owner of the Green Planet, and I talk about how important it is to have small businesses in the Village Centers, and how hard it was to survive without Bakers Best. Chris understands this.
Chris gets my vote for these reasons and others.