When I worked in the news media, I always declined to sign candidate signature papers. Last week, I signed for a candidate for municipal office for the first time, well, ever.  Chances are if you’re running (and ask me nicely) I’ll likely sign your papers too, even if I’ve said no to you over the years.
But I have a question for every candidate — incumbents and challengers — why are you running? What are your priorities? And why you want me — and everyone else reading this — to sign your papers?
Use the comment section below.
Greg, thanks as always for providing us candidates with a forum.
I’m running because I am passionate about this City and I see there is an opportunity for someone with my experience and skills to help continue the good efforts of others. I also see a chance to make some positive changes in areas I care about.
I think most here on Village 14 already know me through my role on the Economic Development Commission (EDC), as well as championing the establishment of Waban Neighborhood Area Council.
I have a business and financial background and have been active in a variety of grassroots community causes as well. I can see how someone of my background and experience could bring a new and effective voice to the Board of Aldermen in areas like:
• Revitalizing and adapting Newton’s village centers and commercial areas,
• Continuing progress towards a financially sustainable city,
• Maintaining and upgrading our open and natural spaces, and
• Improving Newton’s schools, both the buildings and the educational programs.
I’ve met with many people across the City and would love to meet with anyone who is interested for a cup of coffee to not only elaborate on why I’m running for Alderman. I also want to hear more about your questions, concerns, and vision for the City
Thanks for asking Greg. I am planning on running for the Ward 5 School Committee seat again. It has been a very satisfying and productive 17 months since my term began.
My interest and attention has been on supporting our school building projects, helping to pass the override, developing an understanding of policy issues especially as they relate to student achievement, learning the details of how our school administration functions and how best to work with them, participating in the transition of the School Committee from a detail-focused body into a higher level board, and facilitating communication between my constituents and the school department.
A mouthful, but it’s been very rewarding. I hope the voters feel well served; if so I’ll gladly continue!
Steve – Has there been or will there be discussion on the achievement gap? It is my understanding this is why North made the Newsweek best high school list and South didn’t (i.e. North is doing better at bringing low-income/minority students into AP and Honors classes).
I am excited to be running for the open seat for Ward Alderman from Ward 2. Stephen Linsky has been a tremendous Ward Alderman especially in terms of his responsiveness, his listening skills, and his dedication to the residents of our village and is leaving big shoes to fill.
I was raised in Newton and came back to raise a family here. Many people know me through my activism for the schools (in particular my blog) but I have also been active in other community building efforts such as the first community ice rink in Newtonville, the group Beautiful Newtonville, as well as efforts to create a Neighborhood Area Council in Newtonville.
My goals as alderman are the following:
1. Financial stability including fair and sustainable labor contracts, addressing our OPEB (“other post-employment benefits”) liability, and being open and honest with the public on financial matters.
2. Quality of life in terms of the beautification of our village center, more village activities for families and children, and enhanced crosswalk safety. I am also committed to seeing that economic development projects (such as the Austin Street parking lot) are beneficial for existing residents as well as new ones.
3. Sustainability – Mayor Setti Warren has taken many steps to green up our City. With a background in environmental and energy policy, I look forward to using my expertise to support the Mayor’s efforts to create a more sustainable community which brings down energy costs, and lowers our City’s carbon footprint.
4. Prompt respectful constituent services
5. Engaging our state and federal officials, in particular regarding an urgently needed upgrade to the Newtonville MBTA Commuter Rail Stop which is in deplorable condition and not accessible for those with disabilities.
I will be reaching out to all Ward 2 residents over the coming weeks and months and I am excited to hear your ideas about how we can make our wonderful community even better. I urge you to call or email me, and to visit my website to join my campaign.
Lucia,
There has been considerable effort and discussion regarding achievement gaps. The most recent comprehensive School Committee update came from the high school principals who are working in concert on data analysis and program design to address subgroup achievement gaps. The program listings component of their presentation can be found here.
I’m looking for the gaps data presentation in my files; if I find it I’ll post it as well.
I’ve really enjoyed my first term and will be running to continue working on things that I feel are important to the City, many of which have already been mentioned.
1. Continuing to focus on fiscal responsibility. Asking questions to better understand spending recommendations, pushing for efficiencies, and working with the administration to address OPEB.
2. Overseeing the implementation of the override dollars – focusing on building improvements, school resources, and police and fire funds.
3. Working with the School Committee to ensure our schools continue to thrive, while pushing on areas of improvement.
4. Focusing on zoning issues and zoning reform to ensure clarity of ordinances and makingthe City a palce business wants to migrate to.
5. Constituent Services. This is an area I have thoroughly enjoyed and hope to be able to continue helping constituents navigate City Hall, better understand how City government operates, and hopefully, answer questions important to residents.
@Steve and David. You have been two outstanding additions to Newton Government. Thanks for all you do.
am running for Alderman-At-Large from Ward Five because I want to continue my work of preserving the quality of life in the city and using my wealth of experience to find innovative solutions and partnerships with grassroots groups around the city. I’m pleased that a budget resolution of mine led to the book collections of the Auburndale and Waban Branch Libraries left in place so that the people of these villages were able to organize the Auburndale Community Library and the Waban Library Center and supplement the basic collections with carefully chosen new selections. I’ve enjoyed books old and new from both of these community libraries and I would be delighted to work with neighborhood groups in other villages on similar projects. Because of my institutional memory of the work of the Zoning and Planning Committee, I was able to support the residents of Bradford Road and Goddard Streets in Newton Highlands in their efforts to protest the mistaken issuance of building permits on older substandard lots on both of these streets. Alderman Lisle Baker and I submitted a Friend of the Court brief to the Massachusetts Appeals Court supporting the finding of the Massachusetts Land Court that the 2001 Zoning Amendments were intended to allow long standing home on small lots to continue in use, not to allow the construction of monster homes on substandard lots. The Appeals Court upheld the decision of the Land Court and the residents of the city need not fear any recurrences of these mistakes. I’m proud to have supported the efforts of the Residents for Responsible Development to uphold the proper interpretation of the Zoning Ordinance.
As a new member of the Public Safety and Transportation Committee, I highlighted the possible impact of the 12Add-A-Lane Project on Route 128 on traffic in the city, particularly if the proposed traffic lights at Route 9 divert even more traffic into the city. I opposed a diversion of one of the buses on Route 59 from the Highlands and Upper Falls to Needham Street, and opposed the broad cuts proposed by the MBTA.
I was a principal sponsor of the Demolition Delay and Newton Landmark Ordinances and won approval of the Auburndale, Chestnut Hill and t Newtonville Historic Districts when I was Chair of the Zoning and Planning Commiee. When the Demolition Ordinance became unduly burdensome for Historic Commissioners and residents alike, I worked with them to simplify the process. When St. Bernard’s Church was proposed for closing, I amended the Landmark Ordinance to allow for it to be landmarked and preserved from Demolition just as Mary Immaculate of Lourdes had been spared closing in part because of its location in the Upper Falls Historic District that was created before I was on the Board.
Many of the issues that I’ve worked on will continue to face the city and I would welcome the opportunity to complete work on them. My institutional memory enables me to see solutions to recurring problems and use the powers of local government fully. Sometimes it takes a long time for such issues to be ready for action. I’ve long supported the use of the concepts of the Main Street program of the the National Trust for Historic Preservation to revitalize our village centers and a consensus on the issue of village vitality has formed. I sponsored the city’s original participation in the Million Solar Roofs Program of the U.S. Department of Energy and this has led to a wealth of new programs like Solarize and the Gold Lead Certification of North High School. As ZAP Committee Chair, I won prompt passage of the stretch energy code proposed by Alderman Crossley as a citizen.
I still want to institute a Solar Energy package on the flat roof of the Emerson Community Center and a Solar Farm at Flowed Meadow.
I’ve proposed that Newton apply for designation as a Green Power Community by the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency just as we’ve been designated a Green Community by the Massachusetts Office of Energy Resources.
As the Great Great Great Great Grandson of Samuel Richardson, a Veteran of the Revolutionary War, I was delighted to support to restoration of his grave and those of other veterans of the American Revolution at the South Burying Ground. I’ve joined the Historic Burying Ground Committee of Historic Newton and worked cleanups at the South and East Burying grounds where I have relatives buried. I supported the Durant-Kenrick Project in part in tribute to Samuel Richardson’s comrades from that house.
If anyone wants more information on the issues I’ve worked on and the ones I haven’t gotten to yet, please visit my website at http://www.brianyates.org.
I have enjoyed my service to the city and I would appreciate the chance to continue it.
Alderman Brian Yates