The outcomes of their races were pre-ordained — they ran unopposed — but congratulations are also in order to the newly elected — James Cote (at-large, ward 3), Ellen Gibson (school committee, ward 1), and Ruth Goldman (school committee, ward 6) — and the returning — Rick Lipof (at-large, ward 8). It’s too bad that there weren’t enough challengers for all seats, and it is especially unfortunate when there were not contested races for open seats. But, it’s not the candidates’ fault.
Thanks to all four for their commitment to public service.
Thank you very much. I greatly look forward to serving the residents of Newton!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed campaigning and meeting so many new people. Congrats to all of the other winners; and to the challengers my thanks for your participation in our great political system.
James Cote had an opponent, Robin Clemens. She took out papers to run for the board after poll sitting during the June 25 special election, but she initially decided against a run. After talking with Diana Fisher Gomberg of the School Committee, Clemens said, she felt encouraged to give it a shot.
Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/x853693211/Robin-Clemens-of-Newton-seeking-Ward-3-at-large-seat#ixzz2jsT2HO5T
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Diana Fisher Gomberg told her that Shawn Fitzgibbons went to a meeting and floated her name to help get her support for her campaign but she ended up dropping out after gathering 87 signatures.
I appreciated that even though he ran unopposed, James Cote was out campaigning, and meeting and talking to the voters. I crossed paths with him at Upper Falls Village Day and somewhere else too. Both times he was seeking people out, introducing himself as a candidate, and eliciting as much information as he could about voters concerns and issues.
Congratulations on your election and thanks for all the hard work. Based on your campaigning, I’m guessing that you’re going to be a very good alderman.
Let’s admit it — two pages of uncontested races is obviously not due to lack of participants, but is due to sheer volume of seats to fill.
I think James Cote did exactly what unopposed candidates should do. Campaign as if they have an opponent.
It’s an example which the two unopposed SC candidates: Ellen Gibson and Ruth Goldman would have done well to follow, rather than following the orders of the political machine to campaign against Margaret Albright.
Newton lost a real opportunity to get to know both Ellen and Ruth and I hope that now the election craziness is over, they engage with the communities across Newton so they get to know this city well enough to serve all wards well.
While I acknowledge that the newly elected aldermen and School Committee members who won their seats without opposition had a much calmer summer and fall than I did, I do believe that thanks to six months of door knocking from end to end of Ward 2, I feel like I have a much better sense of what the voters want than I would if I had not had to ask for their votes. It also allowed me to start to build a relationship with literally hundreds of people that I hadn’t known, and hopefully has given them a higher comfort level to reach out to me in the future.
I too feel very fortunate to have had so much opportunity to listen to people’s concerns and talk with them. I met so many wonderful people around the city who care deeply about our schools.
I hope that people will continue to feel free to reach out to me and I look forward to getting to know even more residents.
Thank you, Margaret and Emily! So glad that you will both be advocating for the City in official capacities now.
Jerry, if I recall correctly, Jim Cote was at the Greenway rail-lifting event. Maybe that’s what you’re thinking of.
You are slowing down, Reibman, three (3) new School Committee members, and you have yet put up a poll yet as to the next Chair and Vice-chair of the Newton School Committee… 🙂
(Or is it that you and Gail have not checked with Claire yet!) 😀