6 Comments

1. 

   Harry Sanders on August 4, 2017 at 9:27 am

   142 times the word ‘so’ is used -that’s group speak for ‘what the hell am I doing here!’…

2. 

   Lucia Dolan on August 4, 2017 at 9:32 am

   I was very impressed by how well this forum was organized. Substantial questions were asked and the audience was able to understand the differences between the candidate. Al Cecchinelli’s explanation of how he is a green candidate was great.

   Kudos to the organizers!

3. 

   Julia Malakie on August 4, 2017 at 10:38 am

   I can’t believe Ruthann still wants to cut down the Library parking lot trees to put up solar carports.

   Here’s a couple of excepts from an email I sent to someone looking for my reaction to an Andy Savitz letter at the time of this debate (April 2016):

   I’m afraid the city considers “in your face” an advantage of this location. They seem to feel that people are not sufficiently supportive of solar power, and need to be “educated” by seeing solar panels up close.
   How funny that they think other color poles will be an improvement.
   But what nerve that after being willing to cut down the large oak for that extra 2.7% of less than $17,000 annual savings, they are now calling it “venerable.” I half think they added the oak to the removal list so they could take it out again and say, ‘look, we’re saving the oak.’

   All this talk about moving the small trees I find rather bogus, for two reasons.
   First, between the cost in limited employee time, or outside contractor cost, of digging up and replanting a tree planted about two years ago that is established, the risk that it will not survive transplanting, that fact that it will need watering again to reestablish in the new location, and that transplant shock will slow its growth, means that there’s not much difference cost- or outcome-wise between moving the tree, and starting over with a new tree.
   Second, any available planting spots where those trees would be moved to, should be getting new trees anyway! As I’ve said repeatedly, we’re losing hundreds more street trees than we’re planting each year, and that’s just public trees. It doesn’t even count the private trees lost to development. So we should be planting trees in those other spots anyway, while keeping the trees we already have, where people enjoy seeing them.

   I think the “small trees will be moved” claims are just to make people feel good.

   I hate seeing “small trees” being treated as expendable. Every large tree we have started as a small tree.

   I was actually looking for a letter we were copied on, which I can’t currently find, from a woman who felt better just looking out the Library window at the parking lot trees. We should not dismiss the psychological benefit we get from trees.

   I appreciated Al Cecchinelli speaking up for these trees at the forum. Let’s leave them alone to grow for future generations to enjoy even more!

   I continue to think the best untapped space to install solar panels is the south facing embankment of the Mass Turnpike, and/or the space between the rail bed and the Pike. The city should collaborate with Mass DOT to figure out how to do that, and split the financial benefits.

4. 

   Elaine Rush Arruda on August 4, 2017 at 10:57 pm

   I encourage everyone to watch the video. This forum was a terrific event that offered insight to the candidates’ experience, knowledge and plans for Newton on environmental issues. This is the second mayoral forum I have attended and I believe seeing the candidates in action is crucial to determine their real thoughts and passions (as opposed to brochures and websites). In my opinion, Amy Sangiolo was the shining star of this forum. She clearly has the strongest resume of experience and action on environmental issues. She spoke from her heart with conviction and passion,with a thorough understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our city. Many audience members commented that she gave them goosebumps and teary eyes. Watch for yourself; she was amazing! Councilor Sangiolo articulated ideas that were clear, concrete and creative to make Newton less wasteful and a leader in sustainability. She has my enthusiastic vote for mayor!

5. 

   Gail Spector on August 5, 2017 at 10:18 am

   I was really impressed by the number of people who showed up to a mayoral forum in early August. It’s a good sign that people are paying attention and that environmental issues matter.

6. 

   Julia Malakie on August 5, 2017 at 11:49 am

   I wish I could have gone, not just for the content, but because how often do we get to go to an event in a barn in Newton? (Well, maybe Newton Nomadic Theatre, but not candidate forums.) But I was already scheduled to work before I knew I could get a seat. The livestream was good to have.
   Nathan did a great job moderating and keeping things on schedule. I just wish there had been more time for more candidates to answer some of the questions.
   If anyone has tree-related questions for the mayoral candidates, please send to newtontreeconservancy.org (put “Questions for next mayor” in subject line.) We plan to do a questionnaire before the preliminary and publish the responses.