Just in from City Hall:
Newton Director of Planning and Development Announces Retirement
Newton –Candace Havens, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Newton, announced her retirement today, effective Friday, August 15, 2014. Candace was appointed Director of Planning and Development by Mayor Setti Warren in December of 2010. She first joined the City of Newton in September of 2007 and served as Acting Director from January 2010 until her appointment that December.
“I want to thank Candace for her service to the city of Newton. As Director of Planning and Development, Candace has played a critical role in numerous initiatives that have made – and will continue to make – a positive impact on our city. Her commitment to targeted economic development that preserves the character of our villages has laid the groundwork for a more sustainable, livable Newton. I wish Candace the very best of luck in her future endeavors,” Mayor Setti Warren said.
“It has been an honor and privilege to work with the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, and our state delegation in service to the City of Newton. We live in a remarkable city filled with extraordinarily talented residents and staff, and being the head of the Planning Department has provided me with an intellectual challenge that I’ve enjoyed and which probably can’t be matched anywhere. Much has been accomplished in Newton in the last seven years and I am proud to have been part of it,” Candace Havens said.
James Freas, Associate Director of Planning and Development, will serve as Acting Director effective Monday, August 18, 2014.
Conspiracy theorists: Ready, set, go!
Good luck Candace!
@Gail: Planning Director, Candace Havens. (Not Planning Directory). Can you provide a clue to those of us who are clueless in Newton? What is the conspiracy you suggest might be afoot? I honestly don’t know and I bet most Newton residents don’t either. I can attest to the fact that Candace worked very cooperatively with the Waban Area Council to help us to produce our (video-recorded) educational panel/forum on 40B in May. By the way, that video is available on our website in our document archive on 40B at http://www.wabanareacouncil.com.
Sallee – Directory/Director fixed. Thanks.
I do not believe there is a conspiracy afoot. I believe Candace is retiring. I just like to predict the future.
Oh, and Hoss, I didn’t even think about the revolving door. Makes sense though.
Sallee — In the last election cycle, certain candidates opposing the Mayor suggested a “revolving door” at City Hall. I believe Gail is playing on that accusation.
@Candace: I also wish you good luck.
Thanks, Hoss. I don’t remember “revolving door” theories…I believe that implies hiring as well as firing in a seemingly circular, rewarding manner for all parties (but, not necessarily for the public). I remember cries that many good staff personnel were leaving. I also have heard that many positions are still unfilled. So where are these staffers going? Are they now lobbyists at City Hall?
My husband calls me a politician (a word I intensely dislike). But, in a one party “town” (sic), an unaffiliated elected person has trouble figuring out the intrigue.
I have a lot of respect for Candace. What a shame for Newton, but I wish her all the best.
Candace has been great to work with, and I really appreciate all that she has been able to accomplish. She’s a big loss for us, but I’m sure the City will work to get an equally impressive and experienced person in that role going forward. She will be missed!
Probably, like so many others who have quit working for the city, many feel overworked and stressed out by too many changes forced on them by rapid economic trends in Eastern Ma.
Or maybe she just reached retirement age and wanted to enjoy retirement.
Candace Havens has been a wonderful colleague and a good friend. Her retirement is a real loss for the city and I will miss her very much (although she promises to stay involved in local issues as a Newton resident).
Definitely our loss. Aside from being smart, knowledgeable, articulate and professional ,Candace has always struck me as just a very pleasant person.
Best of luck with whatever come next Candace.