Ward 8 alderman-at-large David Kalis told his colleagues today that we will not seek reelection this fall. For those keeping score at home, Kalis is the first incumbent who has announced plans not to run again.
Kalis approached the job with great curiosity and an open mind. He earned my respect and thanks.
Here’s his email to the board…
Dear Colleagues,
I’m writing to inform you of my decision not to run in the upcoming November 2015 election for Alderman-at-Large, Ward 8.
As you can imagine, this decision has not come easy. It has been an honor to serve the City, offer help and assistance to constituents, and work with you. The collaboration and camaraderie you’ve provided has been extraordinarily satisfying, making this decision all the more difficult.
Although I’ve enjoyed the role as Alderman far more than I ever expected, my schedule has simply become extraordinarily busy. Despite my best efforts, finding a balance between serving the City with the passion and skill the role deserves, and managing my professional and personal life has become challenging.
I wish to thank my colleagues, the City Staff, and the Mayor for being responsive and receptive in working with me. I especially want to thank my Ward 8 colleagues, Rick, Cheryl, and Margie, for their outstanding dedication to Ward 8, their support, and their wisdom. I walk away knowing that much remains to be done, but confident that those in elected office and employed by the City are in a great position to continue working through issues and finding ways to serve the residents of our City.
Sincerely,
David A. Kalis
Alderman-at-Large, Ward 8
Newton, MA
So who’s running?
David,
Thank you for your service. You were always responsive to my calls, you either took my calls on the spot or you were prompt. I always appreciated that. Ward 8 has been lucky with some terrific aldermen. John Freedman was another person who beat me and he was another terrific alderman.
David, I’m sure it was a tough decision and the city owes you (as they owe all elected officials) a debt of gratitude for putting yourself out there. Take care, my friend.
David, my friend, I am going to miss you.
So which of the Lipofs’ many relatives is going to run to succeed you? 😉
Good luck David. I hope you return to Newton politics some day.
David is an outstanding, thoughtful Alderman. We’ll miss you, David, but wish you well in the future.
OK, enough of the gushing praise, although David is certainly worthy of all of it. But let’s talk about the politics here. Ordinarily an open seat is a rare and tempting opportunity for aspiring politicians. Maybe someone in the crowded Ward 2 At Large field might find it easier to break camp and head out to the hinterland of Ward 8 rather than put up with the aggravation of going up against a couple of entrenched incumbents. True, that Lipof clan can be a rough bunch, and they don’t take kindly to carpetbaggers down in the holler. But if all the people who have pulled papers in Ward 2 actually submit the signatures, we will even have to endure a preliminary in Sept before the final in November.
David is what we term a class act.
What @Bob said, and we will miss David
Kalis’ letter to his colleagues only reinforces the thoughtful and kind way he approaches everything. It is a genuine loss to our community that Alderman Kalis is not running for re-election.
A great guy, a great alderman, a great singer, a great writer, and a man of international intrigue. Those will be some tough shoes to fill.
Since I’ve never been one to pass up a promotional opportunity …. come on down to next week’s (Fri, May 22) Nomad Story Slam and hear David tell a story on the theme “a long way from home” and pick up a copy of his book – Vodka Shot, Pickle Chaser.
For me what’s sad about David’s decision is that the demands of serving have grown to the point where “regular” people with “normal” lives find it really hard to serve…and therefore don’t get out there and run.
I like our City governance with a larger BOA/City Counsel and more accessible representatives. I have to wonder though if more can be done to relieve the time commitments of serving? Does the City need senior administrative help? I don’t know, but I wish this issue could be studied more seriously.
@Michael: Many municipalities separate a lot of the permitting and other decisions that take so much of our alderman’s time and give those functions to separate committees.
@ Greg: I appreciate the comment and wish that this sort of question could get more study as well as discussion in our upcoming election cycle. I’m not sure who should “own” this type of topic, but it would be great to see the President of the BOA, or even the Mayor, get out on front with proposals that might make it easier for someone like David K. to stay with the BOA. As Newton grows and gets to be more complex the sort of ideas you mentioned in your post would seem to make a lot of sense and be a logical direction for Newton to take…
@Michael: I believe the answer lies in charter reform. You’ve no doubt seen those dedicated folks with the clip boards seeking to establish a charter commission which would be charged with evaluating our municipal structure.
And no disrespect to our sitting aldermen, but I hope they resist the temptation to sit on that commission so as to avoid the conflict (or even perceived conflict) that would inevitably exist when matters of board size and jurisdiction are being considered.
Greg.
It seems to me you have taken on the role of promotion manager for Mayor? You seem to agree and promote what he wants.
Just recently I heard him telling people to advocate for Charter Reform.
And why would he want that, so he can get things done.. things done that are obviously very controversial with public.
@Simon: I’m pretty sure that Mayor Warren and I don’t have the franchise on advocating for charter reform. Calls for reopening the Charter have been going on far longer than he’s been mayor and even my 15 years at the TAB.
And I’m entirely sure the men and women who’ve been working so hard to collect signatures are not part of some secret plot to give Setti Warren more power to do, as you suggest, more “controversial” “things.” Some charter reform advocates may not even want us to have a mayor.
@Greg. Interesting you didn’t comment on your relationship with the Mayor, and advocating for his policies.
Sorry for Hijacking the thread!
On said thread, one particular aspect I like about Alderman Kalis is that he never appears to be pre-disposed on items before him, and is always looking for facts to make a judgement.
We could all do with some of that around here!!
@Simon: Mayor Warren has been very supportive of businesses in Newton. He understands the value of attracting new companies here and retaining and nurturing existing businesses. (We’re not always successful but it’s not for a lack of trying.) The mayor also shares two of the Chamber’s top priorities which is to create more workforce housing in Newton and to bring more foot traffic to our village centers.
Do I support these things because he told me to or vice versa? Hardly. They’re just good smart positions to take if you care about the economic and cultural vitality of our community (and want good schools, top notch police and fire departments, parks, roads, etc, while lessening the tax burden on us home owners at the same time).
Do we always agree? No. For example, we did not agree on 135 Wells Ave.
David was a great Alderman and he would be an awesome Mayor! The City is loosing a fine public servant. I agree with Greg on Charter Reform and for the need of NO sitting Alderman to run for the Charter Commission. Ald. Baker please don’t give serving a thought!