I’ve often said that Village 14 readers are not just likely voters — they are definite Newton voters. On Tuesday we’ll all be making a bee-line for our local polling place to select the two candidates for mayor who will face off on Nov. 5. In addition, voters in Ward 1 will have the added opportunity to choose the two candidates who will run for ward alderman.
Here’s your chance to make a last ditch plea for votes for your candidate(s) of choice. Or if you are a candidate, tell us why we should vote for you?
Then come back here and tell us what the crowds, or lack of crowds, were like, when you voted and how many voters voted before you.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
I’ll start. This will be the last time on the blog for me until after the election, so please no questions.
My name is Tom Sheff and I am running for Mayor of Newton. Over the course of my campaign, I have been asked, why am I running for mayor? On a personal level, this has, and always will be, my home. I was born and raised in this beautiful city. Much like many of your children are doing right now, and many of you have done in the past, I made my way through Newton’s Public School system, learning from the excellent teachers this city attracts. After graduating from Clark University with my Bachelor’s degree in Government, and a minor in mathematics, I returned to the one place my heart will never leave, Newton. Since 2003, I have been an active part of our local politics, lending my voice, my ideas, my time, and more, to try and help make our city all that it can be. For all that I have seen and done as an average citizen, I knew in my head and my heart that the only way to create true progress was to lead from the front.
On a professional level, I believe that we can do better. And I know that as mayor, I could bring about the changes that our city truly needs. Across multiple administrations, Newton’s problems have grown bigger, and this current administration has done little to create the change and progress our city needs to truly move forward.
At City Hall, the administration is going through a revolving door at key management positions.
On the streets, traffic at key intersections, road repairs and the lack thereof have slowed and even stopped our city that should run so smoothly.
I look at these issues, and I know we can do better.
I think of the chaos and turmoil in the police department; I think about fees placed on the backs of our school children; I think of the lack of transparency with the Austin St. development, Engine 6, and affordable housing; and I think of the current administration’s lack of urgency, and I know that we can do better.
My vision for the city includes making Newton a fiscally self sufficient city. Making difficult decisions with unfunded liabilities. Strengthening early development in the schools. Making Newton a diverse community by increasing our affordable housing stock. Alleviating traffic by supporting alternatives to driving.
Our city is a great city, but as long as there are people still fighting to make ends meet, pay their bills, feel secure in their children’s future, I know we can do better.
So I encourage you to visit my website at electsheffmayor.com. This election isn’t about me or you, it’s about us, it’s about our future. It’s about who listens to the constituents and proposes sensible and creative solutions to ensure that our town is thriving and successful. And remember to vote for me, Tom Sheff, on September 17th, because we can do better.
8:10 AM at the Emerson in Upper Falls – I was voter #29
Looks like I’ll be voting later, as my walk to the dry cleaners and Starbucks occupied me so much I forgot. I’ll be sure to note what number voter I am in the 1/3
Alderman John Rice and me were holding signs for the Mayor and at Hyde School where I was also sporting a campaign button for Brian Yates. 26 had voted in 5-2 as of 8:17. It’s a lonely vigil.
I just came back from the Hyde. Counts are (as of 8:40)
5-2: 27
6-3: 39
5-3: 50 votes as of 9 a.m.
The 2 poll wardens there are betting on 10% and 12% turnout. For sport and no research behind it I’m guessing 9%.
At 9:30, 42 people had voted in 5-2 and 53 in 6-3.
There was nobody standing in front of the Hyde holding campaign signs but I did see a sign for a candidate I wasn’t familiar with named “Touch A Truck”
Yes, I’ve seen other signs for Mr. Truck around the city. He seems to have a well organized campaign.
I was the FIRST one to vote at Hyde (5-2) at 7 AM; As I was leaving there were a few more people entering.
There was not one person holding a sign for anyone!
3-1 … I was voter #35 at abou 9:30a
My name is Ted Hess-Mahan, and for the past ten years, it has been a privilege and an honor to serve you as a member of Newton’s Board of Aldermen. During that time, I have worked hard to become a strong and effective leader, and advocate for fiscal responsibility, tax equity and fairness, public education, environmental protection, services for seniors and people with disabilities, affordable housing, smart growth and development, and transparency in government. As Chairman of the Land Use Committee, I streamlined and improved the special permit review process and pursued zoning reforms to ensure that residents, businesses, institutions and neighbors are all treated fairly and equitably. Under my leadership as chairman of the Land Use Committee, the Board of Aldermen has reviewed and approved projects across this great city, like Chestnut Hill Square, “The Street”, and Chestnut Hill Mall, as well as restaurants and businesses in and around the village centers, and on Needham Street, that will bring economic development, tax revenue and jobs to Newton.
I also bring over 30 years’ experience working in both the public and private sector, as a service provider and advocate for people with disabilities, as an attorney pursuing and protecting my clients’ rights in court, and as a community activist and volunteer promoting public education, housing affordability, fair housing and human rights. Since moving to Newton in 1996, I have put down deep roots in this community, where my children have all attended kindergarten through high school. I volunteered and took leadership roles in civic, school and community based organizations, as president of a non-profit developer of affordable housing in Newton, and have served you and the entire City as an Alderman-at-Large since 2003. I believe that I have earned a reputation for honesty, integrity and commitment, as well as for promoting openness and transparency in government.
As your Mayor, I will bring the same integrity, accountability, and commitment to providing the best possible quality of programs and services, protecting and preserving Newton’s neighborhoods, improving schools, public facilities and natural resources, and ensuring open, honest and respectful communication between the City and its residents. I will devote my full time and attention to being Mayor of Newton, and not allow personal or political ambitions to cloud my judgment when making important decisions that affect the long term best interests of the City. In addition, I’ll take a hands on, proactive approach to high-interest projects, such as Austin Street, roadway improvements in Newton Centre, and creating housing for homeless persons at the former Engine 6, by engaging residents early on in an open process that provides accurate information and the opportunity to address public concerns that may arise, and avoids wasting public resources and funding. Finally, I will take the same approach to making Newton a place where public employees are valued and treated fairly, to avoid exposing the City to liability over employment disputes, and stop the “revolving door” and fill vacancies in key positions at City Hall, at a time when Newton is embarking upon ambitious construction projects to improve school buildings, public facilities and the City’s infrastructure.
These are some specific initiatives I will pursue as Mayor to make this City the best it can be:
Integrate operations and coordinate activities effectively by combining various departments under an Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, that will focus on improving transportation and infrastructure, stimulating economic development, creating affordable housing, improving the permitting process, enhancing parks, playgrounds and open spaces, and facilitating smart and sustainable growth
Ensure an open, public process for planning all major projects that will affect the quality of life in individual neighborhoods as well as the city as a whole, which ensures an opportunity for residents to get accurate information and allows the city to address any concerns that may arise
Amend the City Charter to require an annual long term financial forecast, identifying all factors that will affect the financial condition of the City, anticipated municipal needs likely to require major expenditures (e.g., unfunded liability for pensions and other retiree benefits), and a strategic plan for meeting those needs
Seek Board approval of a residential exemption that a number of nearby communities have adopted, which provides property tax relief to residents who own and live in modestly priced homes
Work collaboratively with public employees’ unions to offer competitive pay to hire and retain the best workforce possible by maximizing health plan savings without sacrificing choice
Please vote for me for Mayor in the preliminary election today. I promise to always put Newton’s needs ahead of politics. For more information, please visit my campaign website at http://www.hessmahan4mayor.com.
Thank you for your consideration.
VOTED I 2-2 AROUND 12. ONLY 49 DO FAR.
Just got back from 1/3 (Bigelow). I was #60.
8:45 this morning – #34 at 2-1
I was #89 at 3/3 at 1:05pm. No sign holders. Maybe one other voter.
I was #82 at 4-4 (Burr) at 1:45pm. No sign holders or other voters.
4-1 is also at Burr and they only had 95 voters so far today.
I’d like to see one precinct hit 100…
We need a Ward one voter to update us.
@Gail:
Then you need to go out and vote at least several more times.
“Seek Board approval of a residential exemption that a number of nearby communities have adopted, which provides property tax relief to residents who own and live in modestly priced homes”
Ted, would you be able to elaborate on this? I live in what is probably not what you would consider a modestly priced home but have experienced financial challenges. I struggle to keep my home because it would be more expensive at this time to move. Why should I support tax relief for the owners of “modestly price homes”, a relief for others that I most certainly will have to bear? Why should the value of someone’s home be the determining factor for tax relief?
W6 Pct2 @ Weeks. #135 at approx 2:30pm. Very Calm. Zero Line.
I agree completely with Native Newtonian. I would support tax relief for home owners with low incomes (regardless of age – I don’t see why this should only apply to seniors).
10:40 am, Ward 5, precinct 1 number 52
No signs out.
Native Newtonian and mgwa: there are financial requirements for most of the exemptions that apply to seniors. The veterans’ exemption applies to veterans who meet specific residency, occupancy, ownership, disability or other requirements and were not dishonorably discharged, and their spouses, surviving spouses or surviving parents. There are also exemptions available on the basis of financial hardship, which has financial or other requirements that must be satisfied. The amount of the benefits for each, including the residential exemption, is not huge, nor is the burden placed on other taxpayers. But for those who are struggling to get by on a modest income, a few hundred dollars can make a significant difference. It is not the end all be all, but it would help a significant number of parents who are struggling to pay student activity or bus fees, even if only a little bit.
Most of the surrounding, economically diverse communities, including Boston, Cambridge, Brookline, Somerville, Waltham and Watertown, have a residential exemption. I believe it would help maintain economic diversity in Newton also had the residential exemption.
@Gail- you mean someone besides/later than my 1/3 update at lunchtime?
Doug – I was discouraged that none of the precincts we had numbers on had seen 100 voters by 2:30 p.m. and I’d expected we’d see Ward 1 do so first. But, no matter. Seems like Ward 6 is busy voting. But I believe Ward 6 is always a high voting ward.
Ted (disclaimer: I have already cast my vote for you in the primary),
I get that income / financial hardship / veteran status might be grounds for an exemption if properly vetted. I don’t get tying it to home value.
Thanks, NN. In general, those who live in more modestly priced homes in Newton have more modest incomes. I fully recognize that this presumption is not universally true, and that not everyone who lives in a pricier home is well off. But the small benefit that would be enjoyed by those who are truly struggling, I believe, offsets the relatively small burden that the rest who live in pricier homes will bear.
Ted – my question was the same as NN’s, about tying it to home values. The correlation you cite is not true for long-time residents. I’ve lived in Newton close to 20 years and my place is worth close to twice what I bought it for. My income isn’t anywhere near what it would need to be to buy it these days. I know this is true for many people who’ve lived in Newton more than about 15 years.
Well folks, because I value public engagement, and because this is an economic rather than a human or civil rights issue, I would be willing to have the voters decide if the board of aldermen were to approve a residential exemption. I would also see that as preferable to having a referendum requiring the collection of signatures.
So, would anyone like to move on to less controversial issues like charter reform? 😉
3:00, Zervas 160 and 140.
1:00, M-R 93
Hyde was in the 100’s at around 2.
Typical turnout for preliminary elections in Newton is 10%. I used to do it as a math lesson on the Wednesday after election day every year. We’ do a prediction on Tuesday, and compute the percentage on Wednesday.
The lowest in my memory was 3%, but I forget what year that was. The highest was in ’09 when we had an open seat, candidates vying for the position, and nonstop coverage in the Tab. Turn out was 28%.
3 percent??? I hope there weren’t any contested races.
“4 candidates vying…”
Ted — You’ve said over and over, you do what’s right, not what’s popular. Why would asking the majority of taxpayers if they want a tax cut be right? You are effectively asking the $2 million homeowner (the minority taxpayer) who pays 3x the tax I do (the majority) to take on a further share of my obligations. Same services, same police and fire. That’s not right. It might be popular and it sure makes overrides easier.
#104 at Ward 4-4 at 445pm.
4-1 voter # 139 a bit before 5:30. Setti Warren sign out front.
Ward 3, Precinct 2 at 5:30 – voter #137. No signs.
Ward 5, Precinct 1, – voter #147 at 6:05pm. No signs.
It looks like we’ll do well if we get anywhere close to 6000 voters today (probably 5500). How many registered voters are there in Newton?
Spent some time holding signs for Setti at Burr today during the morning and lunchtime “rush”… Not too much rushing. I was voter 117 in 3-3 at about 345.
Terry,
I believe there are around 55,400 registered voters — give or take. That’s not an up-do-date figure.
Thanks Gail.
Does anyone think we’ll get to 10%?
I have faith in my fellow voters. I think we’re going over 10%.
I did my part 1/2 hour ago – sure was quiet!
Jane’s numbers say it’s above 10% — and she didn’t visit Ward 1
Tricia, I hate to tell you this, but I was voter 130 at 5pm for 3-3.