I can’t help but notice that the override opposition group Moving Newton Forward isn’t moving much. Here we are a few weeks from the March 12 overrides yet I still haven’t seen any “vote no” lawn signs and the events section on their website doesn’t list anything coming up.
Yes, there have been a string of op-eds in the TAB; including one this week from one time mayoral candidate Bill Heck
Mostly, I can’t help but wonder if we’re really going to see any significant traction from override opponents between now and election day?
If not, that’s a shame because a robust debate about how we spend and raise taxes is always worth having.
I actually have seen quite a few NO signs.
Yes, the lawn signs are getting more prominent in the last week.
All in all though, the \vec{p} is clearly in the pro-override camp. Sigh.
Signs don’t win the race, votes do.
Crikey, Eric, Newton has a very short memory. Back in 2008, I am pretty sure the pro-overriders called themselves Move Newton Forward. The override vote failed, but Newton moved forward, right? Hasn’t anyone a sense of humor in this city?
I must be seeing a different part of Newton. I have seen quite a few signs, for both sides and heard phone calls (and they aren’t robo calls).
I think Moving Newton Forward is moving quite well. I have found the discussion balanced and informative for those willing to listen. We are lucky to have so many individuals so impassioned about our city on both sides of this issue. If you haven’t heard both sides, I highly recommend that you do.
Greg, I think you mean Bill Heck.
fixed, thanks.
@Eric – My physics is rusty. \vec{p}, is that velocity, momentum, or a typo? 😉
I counted signs on 2 of my frequently travelled routes this week. On my ride to work (from West Newton through Auburndale through Lower Falls to the Wellesley line – about 3 miles) the Yes signs outnumbered the No signs 18 to 0. On the trip from W. Newton to NNHS, it was 19 to 1. Of course, signs don’t vote – if I recall correctly, back in 2008 (when I was on the No side) Yes signs also outnumbered the No’s. But overall, I think there were way fewer Yes signs then – there’s much more widespread support this time.
I think that Moving Newton Forward is not using arguments that resonate with the voters. As with any solid debate solutions need to be presented along with the argument that make people (even those who never say an override they didn’t like) – say – oh wow – that makes sense, and it could work.
I recently gave a speech to a local group about this very topic. The audience was mixed pro and con on the override proposals. I didn’t try to argue every single point but concentrated on just one piece of one override proposal. I presented facts (there were no hyperbole or fist pounding). After my speech all the audience members who approached me (both for and against the override) said they had that “ah-ha” moment – where they saw how, by looking at the sacred cows and making the hard decisions, we could come up with the necessary funds WITHOUT an override. Now, did I create any converts? Who knows. The point is that until the NO contingent (of which I am a member) includes solutions and facts along with their arguments, they will not get much traction.
So, Sebastian, what was the piece of the override you focused on and what were your arguments?
So Sebastian what did you say to get taxpayers to that AHA moment? For Obama it was Romney’s 47% comment and that silly congressman who said a women pregnant from a rape was a legitimate pregnancy. What is the kicker for the fact that the Newton will find the funds without any overrides? I am confident that they will, but they will be crying poor-mouth all the way until 8:00 pm on March 12. After the misappropriation of our tax dollars with the building of NNHS and 16 of 24 of our Alderman still in office today that were when it was supposedly all David Cohen’s fault, how can we trust that the Cabot and Angier project will come in anywhere near what they are telling us?
I don’t work in Newton so I just found out about the No signs yesterday. Today was the first chance that I’ve had to search for a No sign. Hopefully I will have one posted soon.
Newton is still recovering from the Newton North debacle. And as a childfree Newton resident of 20 years, I’m very tired of paying high property taxes towards other people’s children’s education. And I don’t like the many new residents who move to Newton for the fine public school systems. It’s time for the residents with children to pay their fair share of the public school systems. There should be a fee paid per child in our public schools. I should not be punished with the costs for their kids. And no, the argument that good schools increase the value of my home is not a good one as I hope to live in Newton for many more years and have no desire to sell my house, let alone for a profit.
Again, those with the school age children need to start paying for their children’s education and not expect those that are childfree to contribute. Their children are not MY future.
And I would like to see first how Newton plans to keep costs under strict control for these new school projects that they are proposing.
You “don’t like the many new residents who move to Newton for the fine public school systems”? Really??? What were your reasons for moving to Newton and why are they more valid than other people’s reasons? You think there should be a fee paid per child in our public schools? Guess what? Parents of children in the public schools already pay MANY fees – bus fees, athletic fees, activities fees, club fees – I’ve paid well over $1,200 in fees this year. And if you think the children of today have no bearing on your future, I wonder who you think will be the doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters, attorneys, etc. who you will need to rely on in 20 or 30 years – and who you think will be paying into your Social Security.
Not to mention that public schools are, by definition, schools you aren’t required to pay to attend and we are legally required to provide public schools.
Martine, just curious: Did you attend public or private school?
Location, location, location! Good schools are a bonus… Waltham has beautiful school buildings – do you think their kids are better educated as a result, Steve?