Add Chris Steele to the list of declared candidates for Newton’s Charter Commission.
If you’re running — or thinking about it — please tell us why in the comments section.
Are you running for Newton Charter Commission?
by Greg Reibman | Aug 4, 2015 | Newton | 8 comments
Awesome news!!!
I’d like to see Andrea Kelley and Rhanna Kidwell run as well.
I’m running because I feel a pull towards public service and believe my particular set of skills would serve Newton well on the commission. I’m excited to talk with friends, neighbors, and many in Newton I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet about the challenges facing our city and their concerns with the current electoral and legislative process. I look forward to analyzing studies and determining how different options for charter changes might impact the city moving forward.
I realize that to some this work sounds dry, but this is my passion and I hope you give me the privilege of putting it to good use in our city.
Glad to hear Chris is running!
I thought about running for the Charter Commission, but realized that, for me, the commitment to detail to which I would be driven while serving on this Commission would focus my life solely on this one mission. Too high a price for me personally! I also realized that I am fortunate enough to be able to ask thoughtful questions…even those that others might find uncomfortable or embarrassing…and that is how I will participate in this process. It should be very interesting.
On August 10, the BOA will vote its pro forma stamp of approval of the Charter Commission, a voting formality, but necessary to the next step of the process.
As V14 has noted I have pulled nomination papers to run for CC and have started to obtain signatures and talk to voters. Why am I interested in doing this? Like many of you, I love the City of Newton and believe in giving back a bit of my time and talent to the city that has given my family and me so much in return. I believe the Charter Commission presents a “once in a generation” opportunity to review, debate and offer changes to the way the City of Newton is run.
Who am I? I am a Boston College and Suffolk Law graduate; a retired attorney, former lobbyist and recent children’s book author, “E is for Election Day”. Presently, I am volunteering my time as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the West Suburban YMCA, am a newly elected Board Member of NewTV, Member of the Newton Licensing Commission and former Member of the Newton Economic Development Commission, Past President of the Chestnut Hill Association and Past Chair of Newton’s May 2015 Festival of the Arts. In these capacities I have offered leadership, thoughtful discussion, ideas and the ability to move the conversation forward in a thoughtful, respectful but deliberate manner with community input and support. If I decide to run, in my capacity as Charter Commissioner I hope to do the same.
I am open to changes in the City Charter while still keeping an open mind ready for debate and dialogue on the LWV recommendations as well as others offered by the community. I look forward to meeting voters and will seriously think about delving into this important city endeavor for the good of this generation and the next. I will make a decision in September.
I had not planned on making a statement until the BOA officially voted to put the Charter Commission on the November ballot on August 10th, but leave it to V14 to lead the way! Yesterday, I called the City Clerk’s office and was pleased to hear that I had surpassed the necessary number of certified signatures.
This is an exciting time in Newton’s history and I’m thrilled to be part of it. Years ago, Tom Sheff and I had conversations about the time being right for a charter review, so this is an issue that’s been on my radar screen for a long time. I recently had the opportunity to join members of the LWV at the tail end of the signature collection, and began to think about running for the charter commission. I’m approaching the responsibility in my usual way: researching recent charter commissions, the charters in surrounding communities, and the best practices for a successful charter review.
I’m very familiar with our present charter and have great respect for our local officials. Newton is a great city and one of the most desirable communities for people of all generations to call home. That didn’t happen by chance. It happened because we have a long history of community leaders who were (and are) thoughtful, discerning, and forward thinkers. However, I believe that good governance can always be made better. I see the charter review as an opportunity to make the structure of our city government more effective and efficient and one that encourages citizen engagement.
I enter this process with many questions, an open mind about the process and end result, and look forward to engaging in a robust dialogue with various groups, stakeholders, and citizens. It’s what I love about Newton!
As of this morning (August 5th), when I went to pick up my papers at City Hall for Waban Area Council, there were 18 people who had taken out papers for the Charter Commission. I don’t know whose papers have been certified yet, but the names of aspiring Charter Review Commissioners and villages of residence now include (in order of date papers taken out): Tom Sheff (Newton Centre), Charlie Shapiro (Nonantum), Howard Haywood (Newtonville), Ted Hess-Mahan (West Newton), Brooke Lipsitt (Newtonville), Groot Gregory (Newton Highlands), Gloria Gavris (Chestnut Hill), Lisle Baker (Chestnut Hill), Anne Larner (West Newton), Josh Krintzman (Newton Lower Falls), Bryan Barash (Newton Corner), Jane Frantz (Waban), Howard Sholkin (Newton Centre), Miles Fidelman (Newtonville), Jack Porter (Newtonville), Karen Manning (Newtonville), Gail Spector (Newton Highlands), and Chris Steele (Waban).
(I have heard of at least one more name that I expect to be added before long.)I am about to Google the few names on the list that I do not yet recognize .