What do you think were the most significant things to happen in Newton in 2013? Share your ideas here and explain why.
What were the biggest things that happened in Newton in 2013?
by Greg Reibman | Dec 26, 2013 | Newton | 7 comments
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The most historically significant event for Newton in my mind was voter funding for a rebuilding effort, including new schools and fire house. Many voters looked past the scars of NNHS and granted trust in current leadership. I hope current leadership doesn’t take that as a personal badge but a humble calling to do well with these plans.
I’m in complete agreement with that great comment from Hoss. So I’ll point to something else that’s one of the “biggest things that happened in Newton in 2013.” [Although to be accurate, it’s played out over several years].
My vote would go to the reemergence of Chestnut Hill. Watching the transformation that’s taken place along the Route 9 corridor has been truly amazing, and the benefits to our city immense. In my opinion, two people in particular deserve a great deal of the credit. First, Ted Hess-Mahan, as Chair of the Land Use Committee, whose forward thinking and grasp of the issues is simply unparalleled among his peers on the BoA. Second, Lisle Baker, who as Ward Alderman for many years, has carefully and methodically guided Chestnut Hill into the one village of Newton that enjoys national recognition.
A city wide lock down has probably never happened before. I’d put that up there for one of the biggest things that happened in Newton in ’13.
I agree with Hoss that the overrides election was one of, if not the biggest, Newton story of the year. And Mike is right that this was the year that the developments in Chestnut Hill were an extremely positive game changer. Certainly the marathon bombing and man hunt just across the border in Watertown was our most unforgettable week in 2013.
This was also the year of far too much inside the police department news: Former Chief Cummings fights for respectability, the new chief search, Jeanne Sweeney Mooney and at the very start of the year, the infamous egging incident.
And, of course, there was Engine 6, the Cypress Street redo and a fall election where the mayor won in a landslide.
I agree that the biggest Newton-specific news this year was the passage of three overrides. Another Newton Public Schools teacher arrested on child porn related charges is up there as well.
You need a Jerry Reilly section to these greatest 2013 events:
(1) His effort to make a park out of wasted railroad space
(2) His effort to inaugurate a Newton biking tour
(3) His effort to make the outdoor Feast in Upper Falls
I will say that the override campaign was the biggest event in Newton because it led to the rebirth of the Newton Taxpayers Association as an active group within the Newton political arena. It was real nice to hear from people how I have done good work in bringing the NTA back into its core focus on fiscal based issues.