The League of Women Voters Newton is hosting an Open House to meet all the candidates running for Charter Commission at Newton North High School cafeteria from 7 – 9, tonight, Oct 14.
The candidates will each introduce themselves and then talk with attendees individually. Come meet all the candidates, learn more about what this charter review process is, and let them know your thoughts on what’s right and what’s wrong with our current city charter.
Next Wednesday the LWVN will be hosting a similar event at Newton South on Wednesday night.
Who says high school civics class is dead?
I look forward to meeting you tonight! Come say hello to us and learn more about the charter commission!
I have been both reading about and listening to the many candidates. I know some of them from past city political involvement. So I view them as staunch status quo supporters. Many of the newcomers appear to be well educated and everyone says they are good listeners, good problem solvers and view the charter as needing an update. Very few people have outlined clearly the important ways the charter should be changed.
There are some candidates who want to reduce the size of the BofA. For me that is not a significant reason to push for charter reform. Even election reform is not a big issue. If I vote for change I will look for deeper venues for change.
One big issue for me is the budget spending ratio. Traditionally, the city budget was split 50/50 between school and city spending. That ratio is now 65% schools and 35% city spending. This is a dysfunctional fiscal imbalance and not productive for the long term public interest.
So, unless the candidates begin to outline what their vision is for critical charter reform then I and many other voters won’t have a reason to vote competently.
Colleen,
I don’t think how the city spends it’s money is within the parameter of the charter commission. BUT, keep bringing those ideas.
tomsheff, maybe Colleen’s concern should be within the parameters of the CC. After all this commission has been highlighted as a once in a 50 year opportunity to shape how Newton will move forward. Just because none of the 22 candidates have mentioned it should not preclude it from being included when they are discussing with open minds. JMO.
Patrick – Tom was referring to the state law that outlines all aspects of the charter commission (GLM chapter 43b).
Patrick, I wish it were that easy (look at Jane’s comment).
AND please call me Tom.
Jane and Tom, I guess I am looking for CC candidates who want to look forward and not be easily stopped by current obstacles including state laws. Laws are not chiseled in granite. If a state law needs to be updated so as to better position Newton (and other cities/towns) for moving forward, then that should be identified as part of the CC’s efforts. JMO.
Patrick, you sound just like me.
If I’m on the CC, any idea that sounds good will be researched. If you go over state law, it will take years to implement and our new charter will have already been voted on. Sometimes it takes patience. Also, I don’t want to vote on something that could handcuff our present or future Mayors.
Patrick – This is from GLM 43B, section 9b that outlines the charter review process:
“…the charter commission shall prepare a preliminary report including the text of the charter or charter revision … shall furnish two copies to the attorney general …Within four weeks after his receipt of the report, the attorney general shall furnish the commission with a written opinion setting forth any conflict between the proposed charter or charter revision and the constitution and laws of the commonwealth.
This is the section of the law that addresses your specific concern.
Colleen and Patrick, I am not sure that your questions are being understood.
Jane offered the process but I think you are suggesting codifying items like financial planning requirements in the charter. Frankly I do not know enough about state law to know if say, setting the ratio between education and city function would be restricted from the charter.
I am not sure I would be inclined to mandate a strict requirement but am sympathetic to a balance. Education and Administration feel to be equally important to what Newton should be and it would not be good to have dominate the other. The downside of any change is the potential to cripple the city’s government from making short term adjustments when necessary.
One process fact that the commission needs to grapple with is the issue that half of the charter reviews fail to propose changes accepted by the voters. So does the commission go big on something that would fail in a client of general voter satisfaction or something more modest that would pass potentially including a provision to do a review every 10 years.
This was the specific comment I was addressing: “If a state law needs to be updated so as to better position Newton (and other cities/towns) for moving forward, then that should be identified as part of the CC’s efforts.” GLM 43 clearly states that the charter must be consistent with and in compliance with state law and just wanted to clarify the process.
Groot, thank you. Hopefully when you are a member of the CC, you can at least start the discussion.
I do not know what the best answer is to the question, yet I would at least like the question to be asked. Maybe it is not within the limits of the CC’s assignment to pursue at this time. Maybe it is not allowed under current state law. I would hope the CC will have access to legal counsel that will help them understand what is possible and impossible under current state and federal law.
Maybe the city could implement a 45/45/10 limits equation between city and school portions with 10% left to handle short term adjustments. Maybe it should be 55/35/10 in favor of the school budget (or the city budget). I do not know the best ratio for the whole city’s operations. Right now the adjustments made to address the school budget problems never get rebalanced as Colleen has pointed out, and the city side of the budget has suffered. If the mayor and the BOA can not fix the balancing problem now, maybe the results of the CC can help guide them in their efforts. JMO.
Patrick – The good news is that the Commission will have legal counsel. Even if your concerns can’t be addressed by the CC, that doesn’t mean it can’t be addressed in some other way.
I do not want our charter, even if it were possible, to set percentages affecting Newton’s budgets. Budgets and how taxes are spent, depend on current needs and should be left to current elected officials.
I love Tom’s signs!
Thanks Janet!!!