All of Newton is invited to join the Newton Highlands community this Saturday to celebrate and thank Rodney Barker for his 40 years of service and leadership in the city. The event will be held on April 29 at 5PM at the Newton Highlands Congregational Church (54 Lincoln Street) — just across the Hartford Street from Rodney Barker Square! Come say hello to “United Kingdom’s gift to Newton Highlands!” Learn why Bob Burke says, “He is one of the most principled people I’ve ever met. Get past his gruff character and bluntness and you discover one of the kindest and most decent human beings I have ever known.”
A celebration to thank Rodney Barker, April 29
by Bruce Henderson | Apr 27, 2017 | Newton Highlands, Newton people | 4 comments
Rodney provided encouragement and support for many elected officials over the years, including me when I first ran for office. He led the first major revision of Newton’s zoning ordinances when he served on the Board of Aldermen, leading to the creation of a standing committee on Zoning and Planning. He and his wife Betsy have given selflessly of their time and effort to help other people both at home and abroad. It is only fitting that Rodney be honored this Saturday for his extraordinary career. He has provided a positive example of community service and friendship, as well as a wonderful sense of humor.
What councilor Baker said.
Also, Rodney is awesome.
I never knew Rodney until I was elected to the Newton Highlands Area Council and we co-chaired the effort here to present the option for a Local Historic District to the people of our village. What a joy and pleasure it has been to work with a man who is thoroughly (bluntly) honest, totally trustworthy and one of the warmest and most compassionate people I have ever known. I’ve become good (I would say) close friends with both Rodney and his wife Betsy. They are both good and remarkable people. Rodney’s body has deteriorated, but his mind and his wit are as sharp as ever. Just yesterday, He bellowed out his customary “absurd” at something an opponent of the historic district had said at one of our recent meetings. He is still very much in this game of life.
One of the things I’m proudest of is to have served as Vice-Chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee under Rodney as the first Chair of the Committee. (I succeeded him when he moved over to the School Committee> I hope there’s a tremendous turnout of people who have benefited from Rodney’s work in the city, but ultimately the best way to pay tribute to him is to support the petition to establish a Newton Highlands Historic District. (The public hearing is Monday May 8 before the Zoning and Planning Committee. Letters of support can always be submitted to current Committee Chair Ted Hess-Mahan or to City Clerk David Olson for distribution to the full Council.
Councilor Brian Yates