…and the last minute additions in the aldermen/city council contests continues.
Former Alderman Allan Ciccone, Sr. (father to At Large Alderman “Jay” Ciccone) has filed for a rematch against incumbent Ward 1 Alderman Alison Leary.
Allan Ciccone, Sr. to challenge Leary for his former board seat
by Greg Reibman | Jul 30, 2015 | Newton | 97 comments
This is just like the baseball trade deadlines. What’s going to be next?
So is this like Hulk Hogan or Jesse Ventura returning to the ring, or something? Probably there should have been video coverage at City Hall as candidates clustered around the door and the minute hand ticked away, etc. Gosh, this is exciting.
At least Allan Ciccone is a Democrat. I wonder if the NDCC will stand behind him this time?! They are certainly getting behind the re-election of Aldermen Albright and Johnson! 🙂
I know I’ve brought this up before, but it continues to astonish me that the Ward One members of Newton’s Democratic City Committee continue to allow Janet Sterman to be their chair?
Where is the accountability from Scott Lennon and our other Ward 1 Democratic leaders?
Embarrassing.
Greg, I thought you didn’t approve of personal attacks on this site?
I don’t consider that a personal attack. Sterman is an officer with the Newton Democratic Commuttee, which makes her a public figure. I’m questioning why our City Dems continue to allow her to publicly criticize the party and fellow Democrats. That is highly unusual and counterproductive coming from their own leadership.
Wow – I’ve got no idea what this is all about, but the above sounds like a statement from the politburo, IMHO.
@greg – presumably the members of the Ward 1 Democratic Committee elected Janet Sterman as their Ward Chair, and could chastise or remove her should they want to do so. Certainly sitting Ward 1 Aldermen who happen to be Democrats might also have something to say about it. Membership, bylaws and related materials are all public information, and available on the NDCC web site.
@HL Dewey:
Exactly! And my question is why don’t they?
On ward 2,none of the challengers are Democrats. Two are GOP activists and Auchincloss in particular is Republican through and through having voted and worked for GOP candidates and organizations throughout his time as a politically-involved person.
Regarding ward leaders, they are elected by Ward Committee members every two years. We’re proud at least to have a big tent!
Shawn, That was a cheap shot. Party affiliation doesn’t and shouldn’t matter in municipal races. Besides, if “Auchincloss in particular is Republican through and through,” I can think of several Democratic City Committee members who have affiliated with the wrong party.
Maybe they know a whole lot more than you, Greg. I’ve been to a meeting where she was the chair and the meeting ran smoothly and to the point. They work with her face to face….do you? For once, maybe it’s your compass that is off all these years.
@tomsheff – You say you have been at a meeting where she was the chair – do you mean a Ward 1 Democratic Committee meeting? Greg was not saying anything about whether she runs a smooth Ward meeting or how she might behave within a group where she got elected to the position of Chair. He was specifically pointing out that she is being allowed to “publicly criticize the party and fellow Democrats. ” That would be a legitimate issue to raise about someone who is in a leadership position. Your comment that “maybe they know a whole lot more than you, Greg” is distinctly irrelevant to the point about her public statements. You seem to be looking for an opportunity to disparage Greg. Why?
@Shawn,
How many “through-and-through” Republicans do you know who voted for Pres. Obama, worked for Gov. Patrick and are strongly pro-choice and anti-gun? If working for Governor Baker makes me a Republican, then I guess that means Newton’s own Stephanie Pollack, his transportation secretary, must be a die-hard conservative…
Let’s talk about housing, let’s talk about infrastructure and walkability, let’s talk about the Charter Commission. Flinging around falsely partisan labels in a non-partisan race doesn’t advance any of those conversations.
Fortunately, municipal elections are non-partisan and ideas, not party affiliation, are what count.
I have to agree with Lynne LeBlanc. I believe that the city elections should be completely non-partisan. While I am certainly Republican, my positions on what the School Committee should be doing are definitely non-partisan. Full day kindergarten? Non-partisan, just common sense. Newton should have full day kindergarten, definitely. Neighborhood schools and not busting up neighborhoods to provide “buffer zones” to fill up new larger schools in other neighborhoods? Again, not partisan, just common sense. Later start times for the students? Non partisan, just common sense. I plan to offer common sense solutions to the problems that plague Newton Schools.
An addition – I value ideas and input from all perspectives. One main issues in this election how many residents in Newton feel like they are not being heard. @Shawn are you suggesting some residents are not worth listening to?
Seeing a range of ideas being touted inside the one party that has any pull in Newton is refreshing. Remember, that while there are few GOP-ers in Newton, the Dems represent less than a majority of our registered voters. The “unaffiliated” may be more represented by Janet than the Party “regulars”!
Gail: Don’t kid yourself that the municipal election is non-partisan. There may not be a D or R or U following a candidate’s name on the Ballot, but the contributor lists to much of the campaign funding read like party membership lists. I remember a time when the Aldermen all nodded in unison (35 or so years ago) and they were all Dems. I prefer a wider expression of opinion.
While municipal elections are non-partisan you are in fact a republican Lynne? And Jake regarding your party affiliation do you plant to challenge Joe Kennedy in a primary as a democrat or will you run as a republican? After all by viewing the source on your webpage we can all tell that its actually Jake for Congress.
The point that Shawn was trying to make is that while the elections are non-partisan democrats and republicans have different philosophies. Charlie Baker may be as liberal as any democrat in Newton but he just cut early childhood education funding. At the end of the day party affiliation can tell you alot about what someone’s priorities are and that matters in any election.
@Sam, I’m actually in the majority – an Independent.
Well, that certainly stirred up a little dust cloud. Let’s remember that it was not Greg or Shawn who broached the question of party affiliation, but Janet:
Yes, the municipal elections are non-partisan, in that candidates do not run as officially endorsed or selected by a political party. That does not mean they cannot mention their party affiliation (if any) nor does it preclude them from emphasizing their affiliation to whatever degree they may choose to discuss it. At the same time, when someone is running for public office the voters have every right to enquire into their background, experience, and yes, their party affiliation if any. It is a matter of public record whether they have voted in a particular party primary, for example, though there is no information about what candidate they may have voted for.
The more important question has to do with honestly and transparency, which some candidates make much of in their campaign materials, but sometimes do not practice very well. Mr. Auchincloss for example is attempting to divert attention away from himself:
Stephanie Pollack is not a candidate here so referring to her is irrelevant. Likewise Ms. LeBlanc is quick to point out that the municipal elections are non-partisan, which is a settled fact. But her background and partisan activities, if any, are completely relevant and voters are entitled to ask questions about them. No one is asking for copies of tax returns here, just some information about who you are and what you stand for. Why so defensive? Just wondering.
@Gail no it was not a cheap shot. Again, Shawn was not the one who broached the topic, and he is quite open about who he is and his point of view. He also has a public role as Chair or whatever of the NDCC, and has every right to express his opinion just like all the other posters on the thread.
@sam gordon – Wow, you are one sharp eyed son of a gun. There it is down around line 537:
That’s pretty funny. Wonder how long that code will stay up? Looks like part of some testing pages. (Parts of tags removed in the quote to prevent the html being interpreted in the comment processor).
@ Susan I agree; issues abound. And likewise, one of the main issues for my campaign is whether or not residents are being heard and represented. It’s a good thing to focus on and a good thing for everyone, whether incumbent or challenger, to remember. Resident concerns for our city and our fiscal challenges should not be taken lightly, yet in my walks around the city, it’s clear a number of people feel they are being left out. Democracy (and Newton) is better off with a broad array of ideas and voices. We are fortunate to have so many this time.
It’s been up on my page since the beginning since I borrowed the Nation Builder template from the site of Cong Seth Moulton, a fellow Marine and a Democrat with whom I’ll be doing a fundraiser this fall.
Lynne be honest you’re an independant now. In the past you have been registered as a republican that is a matter of public record. So Jake, Seth Moulton’s website included the code “Jake for Congress”? You could have left that value blank or removed that entirely but you chose to change it and use your name. Also in Massachusetts their are quite a few pro-choice anti-gun republicans.
I agree with Gail. What is nice about municipal elections is that people don’t get dragged into the demagoguery of partisan politics, but instead have heated debates about parochial subjects. Nobody inside city gov’t cares about party designation. They just want to know if you’re trustworthy, where you stand, what you can deliver. Residents might care about that, too.
That said, it would seem that the non-partisan Charter Commission would be a sizable issue this election cycle. I am curious where these incumbents and challengers stand on what will be done to the City Council. Status quo? Smaller? If so, what goes? Why?
I would also like to know if they feel it’s a conflict of interest to have a sitting councilor potentially voting on a charter that directly impacts that individual’s on-going viability on said council. Should city councilors recuse themselves? Do we not already have enough bright people in this city to field a commission without more councilors on it? Or maybe they should give up their seat?
Just some parochial thoughts. And best of luck to the candidates, and thank you all for stepping up!
Umm, I’m a little unclear on this:
Does that mean Mr. Auchincloss is doing a fundraiser for Seth Moulton, or Seth Moulton is going to do a fundraiser for Jake Auchincloss, candidate for Alderman at Large? Exactly who will be raising money for whom? Just wondering.
No, Sam, the coding was hard-wired to take the candidate’s name and append ‘For Congress’. I could change it but I’d have to redo the site and lose the template. Not worth it when it’s invisible to the user experience – you’re the only person who seems to mind this design glitch.
Good points, Bill. I am currently inclined to vote in favor of reducing the size of the City Council to between 9 to 13 seats, but I’m open to the informed recommendation of the commission.
@Sam – you cynical brute, how could you doubt Mr. Auchincloss’ simple explanation? After all, he’s a stand-up guy, a former Marine – oops, no such thing as a former Marine – a Captain in the Marines, an Officer and a Gentlemen, and I belive him. He says it was a hard-wired template (though one that took the candidate’s name and rendered a phrase from it) that he could not change without re-doing the site and losing the template. So let’s see, what about fonts, colors, page layout, and other design elements. Those are all hardwired I suppose. What a shame modern web technology is so rigid and inflexible. Still, he’s doing the best he can with a constrained toolset.
@Bill Brandel – nice to see you commenting here – would you ever consider running for office again? We could really use someone like you on the Charter Commission, actually. Yes, you did serve on the BoA in the past but have clearly gone on to do other things, and would probably bring a great perspective to the job.
@Jake,
If I’m not mistaken that’s a classic copy and paste “issue” as we like to say in the software world?
I’m sure the rest of the crowd is bored of this debate, HLD, so feel free to email me for an explanation on coding in Nation Builder templates. Building a website as a rank amateur is tough, so I used his template and made several errors along the way. I trust that the voters will forgive my lack of website design skills.
Sam and HL – are you two for real??? You honestly think you’ve found some hidden agenda deep within the website code? First, you don’t understand the source code that you are looking at, and you clearly don’t understand what NationBuilder is. Second, it’s a borrowed template. He missed renaming ONE element in the footer (not a test page, HL.) But what that element actually does is display his “Auchincloss for Alderman-at-Large” logo, and he got it to work so I bet he filed that in the “not sure what I did but I got it to work so I’m leaving it alone” folder – something we all do. You are really reaching now. What are you so worried about in Ward 2?
@Simon – you raise a good point:
One does not ‘borrow’ software the way you might borrow a laptop or a set of golf clubs. “I’ll just use them to play 18 holes this afternoon and then drop them off back in your garage.” No, you copy software. Hopefully you are careful about copyright and licenses and such, although IANAL. The problem I have with all of this is not the technical questions about code and web design, but trying to get straight simple answers that don’t require painfully detailed parsing of a statement or phrase. It would also be nice if answers were somewhat consistent. Perhaps all this is too much to expect of political candidates, even relatively new ones.
On the issue of our non partisan elections, this simply means that there are no primaries. Party affiliation and the related values certainly do translate to the local level. Think about the transgender rights ordinance that was passed in Newton… Strongly a Democratic priority that matters at the local level. Think about funding for schools and teachers. Again, important at the local level and Democrats lead here. Jake Auchincloss worked for Baker and the Mass GOP and campaigned against transgender rights and against early education funding. Just a few examples.
http://newton.wickedlocal.com/article/20150101/Opinion/150109839
@Tricia – just to put your mind at rest, although I cannot speak for Sam, I can honestly say no, I am not for real, I am wholly virtual. Anyway, welcome to this lively discussion, and if you are willing to take the technical lead, I’m ready to rock and roll. I’m hoping to learn a lot more about using Liquid for custom Nationbuilder themes, just to get warmed up. Meanwhile Mr. Auchincloss has come forward with the ‘let’s take this outside and settle it between us two dudes’ gambit so I’ll be emailing him for a Nationbuilder tutorial as well. Come on, this is a political campaign, and how a candidate chooses to answer questions, and the plausibility and clarity of their answers, does matter. If you don’t like being in the spotlight, don’t audition for the part, and maybe you don’t belong in show business. Not you personally, of course, but candidates. Meanwhile I’m going to petition Greg for a separate thread on Nationbuilder vs WordPress and RoR vs PHP. Whatever.
Jeez, Shawn, I’m in a household of rabid liberals, but even our voter (not me, because I’m what the government amusingly calls an ‘alien’) voted for Baker, because his opponent was a complete dud.
Jake – I’m going to present an issue – a very parochial one – as an example of my concern about your candidacy. When you speak to someone you know is opposed to the development of Austin St., you say you oppose it. However, when you speak to someone who may be a supporter, then you’re less forthright – you hedge a bit, say you want to learn more about it.
Frankly, I don’t care about anyone’s party affiliation when running for a local office, but I do expect a straight answer on the types of issues you’ll deal with as an alderman. Mine is not a third hand story – I was at an Austin St. event and sought you out to ask about your opinion on the project and heard about how you were there to learn and it made great sense to me. It was disappointing to hear another person at the same event say that you told her you opposed it.
Newton is a city with a small town feel to it. That means your message needs to be consistent even when it means taking the slings and arrows from one segment or another of the electorate. Newton is a highly engaged community with an voters who have an opinion on every pothole. For better or worse, that’s the reality. Voters will judge you on a whole host of issues, including your party affiliation. My suggestion is to be transparent on every issue and let the chips fall where they may.
Nation Builder provides a template for which both candidates and organizations can develop their own website. Nothing is “hardwired for Congress” there are people using Nation Builder who are running for all kinds of offices. Jake could not have just taken the code that Congressman Moulton used, i very much doubt a properiety software such as nation builder would have allowed that. So how about this for a question then Jake do you plan to run for Congress? Lets have a straight answer on that that.
@H L
We do it all the time! I’m probably a little biased, as I wouldn’t call this software anyhow.
At the end of the day it’s a template, in some ways not too dissimilar to an application form.
You take what you like, get rid of or comment out the rest, and then tweak it.
Often that forms your concept and after that you build on top of it.
I personally would give Jake a break. I wonder how many of our current Alders write their own web sites at the level Jake has?
Better to get back to the debate.
I have another question for you Jake; If the inclusion of “Jake for Congress” in the source code was a mistake you made, will you be asking Jacob Avery the guy you paid for “web design” for your money back?
Shawn and Sam Gordon sicken me. Next they will bring Donal Trump and Ted Cruz in to distract from the real discussion.
Los blow!
I think Shawn is worried that we may actually get some independents on the BOA who will stand up to his major, and listen to the residents not to some party bosses.
Note to self – time to fill in the “I” bubble instead of “D” next time i turn the voter reg card.
@Sam, you really are relentless. Are you tapping OCPF data too? This would seem reminiscent of the statements about “knocking on thousands of doors” when some of those knocks were performed by folks who were paid by the campaign. So if people were paid to do web development and Nationbuilder work, is it Mr. Auchincloss who is an amateur, or exactly what is going on?
Just looking for a little clarity, transparency, consistency, and I really could care less about anyone’s coding skills or choice of development tools.
@HL Dewey @Sam Gordon.
What is this? Maybe you guys love the W2 at Large incumbents so much you ought to marry them!
Seriously…
I’m suprised at myself commenting away here!
Simon, whether or not Jake A or any other candidate is claiming things about himself that are not true, flip flopping on issues depending on his audience, using distractions on questions he doesn’t want to answer, not answering simple questions or hiding his running for another office, then this discussion is an important part of the debate. It’s clear you support Jake. I have learned things I wanted to know about many candidates in this thread. So I’d like the debate to continue.
@Simon – Hey, if the W2 incumbents want to join the fun here on V14, they’re welcome to jump in, but I can’t recall them being V14 folk. Challengers have chosen to participate here so they get whatever attention the folks here want to give them. For better or worse, incumbents also have history and a ‘record’ that you can look at, should you care to look at old NewTV videos of BoA meetings or all those meeting minutes on the city web site. Cure your insomnia pretty quick, I think, but no lack of raw material. Just my opinion. However, I think I’ve been pretty clear over time that the one thing I really believe makes a difference is contested races. I truly wish we had them for every single one of the 24 + 8 seats on BoA and School Committee.
@Jane… Similar to writing an op ed in support of early education after working for a candidate who opposes it!
@Marti
I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Jake yet, and I also have not decided who I would support.
Debating about something buried in a website is ridiculous. Its an oversight and thats it.
Its pretty clear the incumbents support the current proposal for Austin St. I personally do not, and a heck of lot of other people feel the same way too.
On Wednesday the tab had plenty of endorsements for the incumbents, but I felt their comments were spread rather thin. What have the incumbents achieved the last 2 years? For my sins I regularly attend ZAP – why – because I would like to see fixes made to the ordinance. The reality is that I find myself coming home frustrated as they end up re-enacting the same arguments they all had x months ago as if it never happened, and as a result we don’t see any change.
I am looking forward to the forthcoming debates, but not about hidden errors in websites!
@HL ,
In Jane Frantzs’ time, I’m sure she would have had the cane out to ya.
I think your a trouble maker 😉
There have been some mundane conversations on this blog over the years (I know I’ve started some of them) but this code-gate may be the most mundane ever.
I asked Auchincloss about that line of code months ago. I believed his explanation then and still do.
But let’s pretend the the conspiracy theory here is true. Let’s pretend that line of code proves that Jake Auchincloss doesn’t want to be a Newton Alderman/Councilor for life (or maybe that wasn’t the only elected office he ever dreamed of running for). I say “thank goodness.” We have enough lifers now. What could possibly be wrong with someone imagining being an alder/councilor and then doing something else after that?
Housekeeping note to Simon, Sam S. Sam Gordon: I know you are different people, with very different views, but I bet I’m not the only reader here who gets confused by your similar looking names, especially on the same thread. Might I suggest you (and everyone else) get yourselves a gravatar (it need not be your actual headshot…use a photo of your favorite pet or baked good) to help the rest of us tell you apart
@Greg – With all due respect, maybe I was wrong to credit you with some common sense about this. Maybe some folks have this as a conspiracy theory, but I have tried to be very clear that the issue is whether someone who is now a qualified candidate on the ballot asking for our vote (us being taxpayers and all) can answer simple questions in a straightforward and consistent way. I don’t care if he wants to win a nobel prize, or run for president, or beat Tiger Woods in a golf game, but can he give a straight answer and stick to it? Is he being honest about his background and prior experience, whatever that might be? And so forth. It’s not hard, you can always say “I’m not sure how that might have happened but I’ll check and get back to you.” That’s not what happened here. So if he dug a pit himself and proceeded to fall into it, don’t fault the geeks in the crowd because they were speaking the language they happen to know.
So to make it clear, you don’t have to pretend anything, there is no conspiracy theory, and it is not a question of what someone wants to do for the rest of their life. Come on Greg, if you’re going to jump in at the end of a long thread, pay attention, eh?
@Greg,
Given the ludicrous thread I felt I should entertain your request!
Talk about hijacked threads!!!
Meaning no disrepect to the Ward 1 candidates Ciccone Sr and Leary, I think that was a pretty good run given the headline that kicked it off.
Simon – In my time? My time is now! I still teach.
I don’t think party affiliation should play into our municipal races at all. For what it’s worth I consider Alderman Jim Cote from Ward 3 to be one of the most hard-working, conscientious and effective members of the Board, and he is a Republican.
When I said I wanted the debate to continue, I meant the discussion about the candidates. I thought I said that, but obviously I didn’t make myself clear. I agree with HLDewey’s point in his last post about the need to get answers about where candidates, plural, stand on issues and the discussion of information about them helps to evaluate their integrity.. So that is is what I hope to see continue on whatever thread.
I already knew about the coding on Jake A’s website and really don’t care about his aspirations. I did care about his reactions when asked about it and other things on a public forum. So I learned a little more about him, meaning I don’t think bringing it up was mundane.
And Greg, the knowledge that you knew, asked him and believed him is pertinent only to you. It’s a tad presumptuous to think that should just end the discussion. It certainly doesn’t mean others shouldn’t discuss it and ask him too, particulary when they do it here so many voters can see his response, not just the askee, and draw their own conclusions. Not to create a conspiracy theory – your words- but to help voters become as informed as possible, one byte at a time.
@Jane,
Oops. I somehow I got the impression you were retired.
Sorry.
Knowledge of party affiliation and donor information, plus party support, activism for which issues, positions on campaigns and for which candidates, voting record if already a public official and any other public information is valuable to becoming an informed voter.
Anyone running could be hard working, conscientious and effective and say so in their political campaign. True it has nothing to do with party affiliation but it also has nothing to do with deciding who to vote for.
Simon – I don’t even know how to respond.
Like it or not, voters make decisions based on lots of criteria that may or may not be relevant to the position to which s/he aspires. Candidates have no control over that. They throow their hats into the ring, campaign like crazy, and hope for the best.
“throw”
Simon, for someone who is surprised at himself to be commenting here, you’ve had a lot to say.
“Give Jake a break. How many of our current alders can write their own websites at the level Jake has?” Did he? Can’t they? Do you know something relevant you’re not disclosing?
“Debating about something buried in a website is ridiculous. It’s an oversight and that’s that.” Deliberately missing the point? Wanting to stop the discussion about Jake’s inconsistencies?
” . … loving the incumbents so much, you ought to marry them.” Are you 6?
“… the ludicrous thread. Talk about hijacked threads.” to Greg. Want him to close the comments? ”
All of these statements emphasize support for Jake. First trying to create a perception that he is better than the others. Then by using distraction to stop the discussion and trying to control the narrative by continuously saying it’s just about hidden code when it’s really about Jake’s reaction and his deflecting responses to questions instead of giving direct, consistent answers. Then acting childish and just blatantly trying to get the thread closed.
You finally expose your reasons. You want Jake or any warm body to rid us of anyone who supports Austin Street. What a surprise.
With regard to Greg’s housekeeping note, I would like to ask commenters to please address all of the Sams with their last name or initial. I know one Sam doesn’t have one. It would just help to know which comment you are replying too. It could, of course, just be me.
@Marti
That’s one hell of theory!
I guess I should take it as a compliment.
Gotta say, I envy those of you who have time to pore through code. Especially you, Greg — as one of my tree friends said on learning that I was running for Alderman-at-Large, “I was worried that you didn’t have enough to do.” 😉
For the rest of you who may be feeling left out of this new parlor game, it’s simple. Just go to any webpage, lowellsun.com or whatever, put your cursor anywhere, Right-Click and choose View Page Source, or View Source (it seems to vary PC vs Mac). And marvel at anyone uncovering the dreaded word “Congress” amidst that volume of text.
But on a more serious note, I have a real problem with the attitude among some in the Newton Democratic Party that Republicans are undesirable and need to be purged from city government, or that having worked for a Republican makes someone tainted. It’s one of the main reasons I’m “Unenrolled” (I liked it better when we were called Independent).
I agree with Lynne LeBlanc, Susan Huffman, Sallee Lipshutz, and Robert Welbourn’s comments above. And I vote for local candidates based on their positions on local issues. We’re not worrying about Supreme Court nominations here.
On statewide offices or other races in my paper’s circulation area (e.g. certain congressional districts, Governor’s Councilor, etc.), I don’t publicly endorse candidates, because of Lowell Sun policy, but in past gubernatorial races I’ve voted for four different parties. And I’m one who thinks it’s good to have divided government at the state level because of our essentially one-party legislature. For example, just yesterday we ran this State House News Service story in the Lowell Sun: http://www.lowellsun.com/Today's%20Headlines/ci_28564204/Baker-boosts-records-access-
about steps the Baker administration is taking to improve access and lower the cost of obtaining public records from what he can control — the executive branch. Something the Patrick administration had eight years to do, but didn’t. (And I like Deval Patrick.)
@Julia I’m not usually much of a code-snoop. But back in December when Auchincloss launched his website (and I’d never heard of him) his last name wasn’t there (It just read “Jake for Newton”). That left me trying to figure out who the guy was. He fixed it after I pointed that out.
What Julia said. I liked Deval, too, but there’s much about the Commonwealth’s machinery of government that has sorely needed cleaning up, and he neglected it. A one-party system of government breeds complacency and corruption.
To argue that party affiliation doesn’t matter in Newton is ignoring reality. It’s like saying that the sun doesn’t really rise on cloudy days.
If contemplating a run for office here, being viewed as a republican is a kiss of death. Heck, even being seen as an independent is a negative if one wants to win in Newton.
While the largest political label in Newton may be independent/unenrolled, that is assuredly not true of candidates running for office here. Almost all run under the democratic banner, or want to be perceived that way.
So, let’s face it, candidates of the independent or republican persuasion are at a distinct disadvantage in this “non-partisan” city of ours.
Jake A is not my candidate of choice, but certainly not because he worked on Baker’s campaign. He should be able to openly declare that, and be proud of it. [He did win after all.]
What Marti said.
Given that my candidacy has been included in this important discussion, I would like to clarify a few points.
First, I am yet to register with a political party and am technically “unenrolled,” and therefore Mr. Fitzgibbons is correct in saying that I am not enrolled as a Democrat. However, the fact is, I have always strongly considered myself a Democrat and agree with most of the principles of the Democratic Party.
Second, I am not of the opinion that being a Republican or Independent or Democrat inherently makes one a good or bad candidate nor does it make one a good or bad representative. I do, however, believe that honesty and transparency are what matter — both to the people of Newton and as a test of character. Looking into another’s political background and past political activism has everything to do with an election and should rightfully matter to the voters.
Third, this blog, equipped with a non-anonymous comment section, is one that is clearly set up for a public discourse, especially in this time of an upcoming election. Consequently, I think it is important for residents to feel that they can comment and ask questions of those who have put themselves out there as public figures, without fearing personal attacks on their characters.
The voters of Newton deserve to have a full understanding of each and every candidate. The issues raised throughout this thread are relevant to painting such a picture. As a candidate whose only goal is to truly represent the people of Newton’s best interests, I am fully committed to consistently communicating with our residents in an honest and transparent manner.
OffTopic:
I want to make a plea to Chris Steele to run for Charter Commission. If you don’t have the time to get the signatures yourself, I will promise to get them for you.
The same plea goes to Rhanna Kidwell.
As Robert Welbourn said above: “A one-party system of government breeds complacency and corruption.” True also in a one-party system is the lack of open debate in the City to argue and articulate values before the public with moderate voices able to be hijacked by extreme ones.
(Personally, I can’t identify with the GOP or Dems. I believe in a woman’s choice to discuss with her doctor what she wants to do with her body; I believe that the video-d MD’s at Planned Parenthood selling baby parts are more disgusting than their un-announced videographers; I believe that government should be open and transparent; I believe that Donald Trump is a loud-mouthed (although, seemingly effective) idiot; that Hillary is a conniving liar and that Bill Clinton’s pants should be welded shut; that the 2nd Amendment should be supported, but regulated and enforced carefully (and not through Social Security); and that most statues have feet of clay.)
I believe that Ted Hess-Mahan and Lisle Baker would balance each other in the Charter Review process.
I believe I’ll go outside and enjoy the August sun this afternoon, but not before asking Jake, whom I have met, and who, with his impeccable curriculum vitae, I find bright, charming and personable: Do you support the Austin Street Project as currently proposed? If so, why? If not, why? I also address this question to every candidate for Alderman-at-Large in Ward 2. The answers could offer us an opportunity to see whether “At-Large” Alders are drawn to support or ignore their Ward constituents on issues of intense Ward-specific concern and discussion. Not to bring in yet another discussion, I believe that this very argument is one supported by the LWVN…that Alders should not be influenced by their local constituents, but (with fewer of them) they should be free of parochialism and allowed to think more City-Global. Do you fellow bloggers think that is what the voters want?
Party affiliation certainly isn’t the end all be all in local races, but voters can certainly factor it in as one data point as they consider their choices. Here’s another piece of information:Jake counts John Cook as a supporter. Cook is a leading GOP campaign professional who worked for George W. Bush and Scott Brown. He’s the head of Mass Victory which is the State GOP’s campaign finance arm.
@Sallee-
Tomorrow (Sunday) morning at 830am, Jake and the other challengers answer your Austin St question and more on Newton Newsmakers seen on NewTV.
Comcast 8 • RCN 15 • Verizon 34
or watch it online whenever you’d like at:
http://www.newtv.org/video/newtonnewsmakers/
@Charlie: Thanx for the heads up. I watched your program and commend it to all who want to observe the challengers in Ward 2’s At-Large election. The voters will have good choices!
I am against the current Austin Street proposal as are the vast majority of those I have spoken to. To learn more about my thoughts on the matter please read my two blog posts here: http://www.bartonfornewton.com/#!Austin-Street-Part-II/c1xwn/55913d530cf253395ae01130 and http://www.bartonfornewton.com/#!The-Divisive-and-Dividing-Austin-Street-Debate/c1xwn/55745c2f0cf219f1772c4714.
What a smart young woman! We should be honored when people such as Jess Barton step up and run for for office, representing the views of her constituents!
On the flip side, the Newton’s Programs and Services Committee has unanimously voted to put a ballot question on the November 2015 ballot as to Newton’s recommendation to Governor Charles Baker revokes the operating license with the NRC of Pilgrim Nuclear Plant (is this within the scope of the work we elect municipal representatives?). This use of our election process and elected officials time may be found at on pages 35-36 of item 172-15 is brought to you from our friends Aldermen Hess-Mahan and Norton.
Question… What is the protocol within the Newton Board of Aldermen indicating a issues taken under consideration (regardless of it’s origin) needs to lie within the work and powers of Newton’s municipal government? What are the limits and how and which Aldermen/City Councilors are setting them? Anyone interested in docketing an item to go on the ballot in November asking Newton residents in support of “Tom Brady not being suspended from any games” as result of the ‘Deflate-gate’ fiasco?
Thanks for the plea of encouragement, Tom!
Charlie, when the video is up on the website I want to take a look. Thanks.
It’s sounds like all of the Ward 2 challengers’ incentive for running is not wanting the building on Austin Street. Two have been vocal in their opposition forever it seems. One is a veteran at being a slippery politician and won’t give straight answeres. The other one seems young and ideological and I wonder how she would handle Newton Politics.
I read Jess’s blog posts on Austin Street that were posted in June after just a few weeks of campaigning in Newtonville and West Newton. In one she says that Brooke Lipsitt, chair of the ZBA, told her that she should support any proposal in Newton, large or small, anywhere, “that has any number of “affordable units” whether these units are 60% AMI or 120% AMI,” if you support affordable housing and that she thought the proposal could be better. That’s surprising.
But all of them are saying that they hear when canvassing that the alders don’t listen to their constituents, but they will.
One thing I believe that the three millineals running for office, one for SC and two for City Councilor, need to realize is that a high percentage of voters in Newton don’t watch videos, read blog posts, or have Facebook or twitter accounts and aren’t going to start now so that isn’t the mainstay of how those voters will keep up with you and your thoughts on issues. Many of those same people will read V14 though where they can ask questions and discuss issues. Instead of posting links, teenage videos or telling posters they can read your twitter and Facebook posts, answer the questions asked. It’s up to you to make your points and get your ideas across in the ways voters expect and not justto say you’ve already answered that and expect voters to go looking for your positions.
Paraphrasing the comments of the head of the ZBA (or anyone else, for that matter) on one’s website isn’t likely to be well received. I’d be wary of entering into a conversation with a candidate if I thought my comments might land on his/her website with clearly identifiable information as to who I am.
HLD: Thanks and sorry for the late response. No, I have not given that consideration. However, I do agree that there are former alders who could make an excellent contribution to the charter commission.
@Marti
It’s already posted by NewTV at
http://www.newtv.org/video/newtonnewsmakers/
Thanks
@Marti and Charlie: That video was posted on Village 14 on July 1.
off topic: Unfortunately today I heard that former Newton State Rep David Mofenson passed away. He served this city with dedication and distinction. May he rest in peace.
Thanks, Tom. Here is an obituary for David Mofenson. David was a friend and frequent lunch companion who was a terrific lawyer and public servant. He will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Greg, could you create a separate thread so that people could share their thoughts on David’s passing?
@Greg-
“You do not have permission to preview drafts” is the error msg received when clicking on the link you just posted.
I’m late coming to the party, but as a Marine, I can leave no Marine behind. There are many reasons to vote/not vote for a candidate for office and character becomes the one central theme. You are what you are, and in municipal government requires a focus on people, and often at personal sacrifice.
Jake comes from Newton, graduated from Harvard, and then joined the Marines during wartime. Who does that?
If I were going to “build” a people minded politician I would start with Jake’s career path as a base.
Ald. Cote while Jake does have many ideas to be sure, most of them come from books regarding city issues. Ideas pulled from a Cambridge classroom often have little practicality when actually applied in a real situation. Ill give Lynne LeBlanc and Julia Malakie credit for their long term involvement in Newton. No one is or would disparage anyone who joins the marines. However – voting for someone just because they are or were a marine makes no sense.
Sam the only point was on character and commitment. You still have to look at the whole picture. You cannot imagine the responsibility and politics the Marine Lieutenant/Captain must master in their daily routine. These skills transfer smoothly into neighborhood politics.
So Jim the best skill a neighborhood politiican can have is still telling people what they want hear and always having an answer for everything?
Thanks Greg. I thought the one Charlie said was at 8:30 on Sunday was new. That’s why I couldn’t find it.
@jim cote and @sam gordon – Whether one has chosen to serve in the military in the current 10-year long ‘wars’ or not may be a positive in some folks eyes, and just as easily a negative to others. The Marines are known to be a very proud, distinguished branch, and they have a well-deserved reputation for service to the country, gallantry and bravery. So one should take a person’s service record at face value, and evaluate the individual from there rather than assuming it immediately translates into suitability or skills for something like local politics. On the other hand, I would argue that a person who can find the personal strength, fortitude, and determination to do something like professional Triathalon, also is showing some admirable personal traits, which of course would be Jess Barton in this case. Everyone has a personal story to tell, and each person brings a unique set of skills and experience to the table. So in the end, if I held a certain point of view of American foreign policy starting with George Bush’s invasion of Iraq and continuing down to the current situation in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and so forth, I could just as easily argue that someone who voluntarily joined the US military during this period was implicitly supporting those failed policies. To some, that would sound unpatriotic. Maybe so. But that kind of dissent and opposing points of view is also part of the American tradition of democracy.
@HLD – I wish you had the courage to just say it is your believe that volunteering equates to supporting George Bush. What next tie him to Donald Trump or Sarah Palin?
9-11 changed many, and people expressed their patriotism in many ways. Jake (who I not met) signed up for the ultimate sacrifice – as a US Marine.
What did you do after 9-11? Write yet another piece of ramble? Maybe hung out at starbucks drinking your latte, and criticized actions of other.
#disgusting
@Sam S – your words, not mine. My own opinion is that what a person does with regard to something like military service is their own personal decision. I don’t judge them one way or the other. I have personal friends and relatives all across the spectrum on that particular issue. And in any case, what I did or did not do after 9-11 has nothing to do with it. I’m not running for office, but I am a voter and a taxpayer so I’ll ask such questions of those who have put themselves in the public eye by running, thank you very much, and I really don’t care what your opinion might be. Mr. Auchincloss and Mr. Cote chose to bring the topic into the public discussion, I didn’t.
While I greatly admire those like Mr. Auchincloss and Mr. Cote who through the years have sacrificed and served with honor for a cause which they believed would strengthen our country, I equally admire those who took to the corner of Beacon St. and Centre St. in protest against wars that they discerned to be illogical, deceptive, and futile. And I’m sure that candidates from both backgrounds could make great alderpeople.