Village 14 is inviting all candidates for mayor, city council or school committee to submit a single guest column between now and Aug 1.
I’m Becky Walker Grossman, and I’m running for City Councilor-at-Large from Ward 7. I’d be honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Council, and to work collaboratively with my colleagues to ensure that Newton remains the very best place to live, work, raise a family, educate children, and retire.My husband, Ben, and I bought our home in Newton in 2010. Over the past seven years we’ve made our life here, including raising our two children, Madeleine (6) and Jack (3). Four generations of our family live in Newton today.
I’ve been passionately involved in the communities in which I’ve lived throughout my life, but becoming a mom amplified the importance of civic engagement for me. Today, I hope to bring that passion for service to Newton. At a time of great uncertainty on the national stage, I believe it is perhaps more important than ever that we make sure our local community remains a place we’re all proud to call home.
I am running for City Council because I want to play a leadership role in helping to address Newton’s challenges. I believe that my combined background in public service, law and business will help me do this. I’ve worked as an Assistant District Attorney for Middlesex County, where I’ve seen firsthand what happens to people who are left behind and forgotten by their communities. I also served as the Director of Operations on the successful campaign of my father-in-law, Steve Grossman, for Treasurer of Massachusetts. In that role, I’m particularly proud to have advocated for small business owners to have increased access to capital, especially among those groups that traditionally have the hardest time getting it – including women, immigrants, minorities, and veterans.
As your City Councilor, my top priorities will be:
- Public Schools: As a parent of a Ward School first grader, I will fight to make sure our public schools continue to meet the highest standards, have small class sizes, and remain the very best in Massachusetts.
- Responsible Growth: I will advocate for responsible development to ensure that Newton remains a diverse, inclusive, and accessible community for people of all ages, backgrounds, and economic means.
- Smart Budgeting: I have a background in finance and earned my law and MBA degrees from Harvard. As City Councilor, I will dig into the numbers and work to achieve results in ways that benefit Newton taxpayers.
- Public Safety: As a former Assistant District Attorney, I’m committed to keeping our community a safe and fair place to live. I will take on the opioid epidemic by ensuring those struggling have treatment and recovery options and their families have compassionate support resources.
I’m in this race because I believe we can do better in solving these problems and improving the quality of life of every person living in this wonderful city.
Thank you for your consideration. I ask for your support and your vote on November 7.
For more information, please visit my website, www.beckyfornewton.com.
Even though she does not have a competitor and will have a seat on the council in January, I appreciate that Becky has been out campaigning and also submitted this column.
To add to what Greg wrote, there is an open seat because Ruthanne Fuller is giving up her councilor seat to for mayor. (Usually, councilor/aldermen do not run for mayor and councilor in parallel, though it’s possible and it’s been done.) Becky is guaranteed a seat, because there are only two candidates — Becky and Marc Laredo — who submitted papers to run for the two seats.
Becky,
With reference to recently proposed development projects, could you expand on what you mean by “responsible development”?
For instance, should the city have been more or less open to the Wells Avenue development? Does the Austin St project have too much or too little parking? Is the Orr Block project too big or too small? What are important factors to consider on the Northland project?
Well said on the schools front! Newton could benefit from having another parent with kids in the schools on the Council.
Hi Becky. I don’t believe we’ve ever met, but I live in Ward 7. I noticed your professional background is in law enforcement. My question pertains to implementation of last November’s ballot question #4, which legalized recreational marijuana in Massachusetts. Each municipality must now decide [first] whether or not to allow recreational sales in their community, and [second] what zoning regulations will apply to recreational cannabis stores. Do you support applying the same zoning regulations for cannabis as currently apply to liquor stores, or would you favor more stringent regulations?
Thanks, everyone, for your comments and questions!
Sean, with respect to the types of projects you mentioned, “responsible development” means transit-oriented, mixed-use projects that enhance our village centers, create affordable housing opportunities for our seniors, working families, and young professionals, and grow Newton’s tax base. When development is done right — in an open, well-planned, and collaborative process, we are able to create more amenities and opportunities for residents.
Parking, traffic, density, creation of affordable units, and the energy efficiency of a proposed project are all metrics by which we should judge projects. By working collaboratively and emphasizing the importance of long-term planning, we can ensure Newton grows responsibly.
Mike, I saw your question and will respond shortly!
Mike, as you no doubt know, regulation and guidance from the state on this issue is still evolving. In Newton, we also have our own working group operating out of the Mayor’s office studying this issue. I, too, am continuing to study and understand Newton’s options, and I believe that public input through a transparent process in any specific proposals is a must.
If dispensaries are to come to Newton, implementation and regulation must happen in a manner that prioritizes the health, safety, and financial benefit to our community. That includes taking a fresh look at zoning for retail sales of cannabis specifically. Entire new industries are seldom created; community stakeholders, elected officials, law enforcement and others must learn from the experiences and best practices of other states that have been ahead of Massachusetts on this. That also includes ensuring proper security protocols are in place, and making sure we’re keeping cannabis out of the hands of children and teens. I’d also advocate using revenue to increase access to addiction and recovery services for all controlled substances.
Can we learn from our experience as to how we’ve zoned liquor stores, and the 80+ years of history, post-Prohibition, since alcohol has become legal in this country? Absolutely. But we’re starting afresh with legal sales of cannabis, and I think our community deserves a separate and complete look on that issue alone.
I’m very disappointed in your answer, but I appreciate your taking the time to reply.