While the focus this fall has been on a contested mayor’s race, one contested school committee battle, one contested at-large aldermen contest and two contested ward aldermen races, every seat on both our boards are up for election every two years.
The Nov. 5 ballot includes three unopposed newcomers who will inherit seats Jan. 1 without appearing in a single debate or needing to recruit an army of TAB letter writers. (True confession: I never read those things…does anybody?) Also easing into an elected seat without breaking a sweat is former Alderman Rick Lipoff Lipof, who will return to the board in 2014 without needing to stick a single lawn sign in the ground.
While NewTV invited all incumbents and challengers to shoot video messages, it seems that not everyone did. Below are the videos from two of the newcomers.
I’d love to know why Ellen Gibson (Ward 1 School Committee) and Lipoff Lipof (Ward 8, at large) passed up this opportunity to speak directly to voters.
Decision 2013: Ruth Goldman from NewTV on Vimeo.
Decision 2013: James Cote from NewTV on Vimeo.
I like the fact that both of these candidates are asking for votes. I have seen lawn signs for Ruth Goldman and booths supporting Jim Cote. I think it is as important to get to know all of the candidates and these two seem to be making the effort to help us talk with them.
I agree Groot. I saw Ruth and Jim at the Harvest Fair Sunday as well.
I agree with Greg and Groot. It should also be noted that Jim had a potential opponent (Robin Clemens) but she dropped out after gathering 87 signatures. I spoke to Jim and he told me that he wanted to earn the votes of Newton’s voters rather than merely winning because he is not currently contested.
There was a story recently that a mayor running unopposed decided he didn’t want another term after all and was asking for a sticker candidate to come forward. I mention this because unopposed candidacies can fail and it’s important that we get information from every candidate. Everyone should have played along and did their elevator speech.
I didn’t know anything about Ruth. Her background, especially the first-hand experience with youth in Outward Bound, sounds helpful.
Besides seeing Jim Cote at Harvest Fair, I went to the cookout he hosted in his backyard a month or two ago for anyone who wanted to meet him, and had a chance to talk to him there. (BTW, besides Greer, Brian Yates was also there while I was, which I thought was nice. Don’t know which other current aldermen may have come and gone before I arrived.) Jim and Albie (not sure I’m spelling that right) also did the Tour de Newton, and even showed up on the rainout day and went for a ride anyway with their son and out-of-town guests. I must say he looks a little stiff in the video, but if you’ve met him, you’d probably agree he is not at all stiff in person!
Lipof has one f. Thanks
Thanks Rick and sorry about that. I suppose if you had more lawn signs out there someone would have caught that sooner! 🙂
But seriously, is there a reason why you didn’t do a video? And have you been doing anything this campaign season to get reacquainted with voters and the issues that matter to them in 2013?
Happy to answer your questions. All you have to do is call me at 617-332-8909, ext. 24. I am always happy to have a conversation. Give me a call Greg, or anyone else who wishes to have an actual conversation in real time.
@Rick It’s 2013! We’d love to have your participation here. Why talk to one person when you can speak to all 14 villages!