We’re coming down the homestretch in this election. For those working on the various campaigns the temperature is rising, the clock is running out, and everybody could probably use a bit of rest.
For the remaining days, try following Amy Sangiolo’s advice and use the remaining time to talk up your candidates.
For these last few days here’s a timely reminder of Village14 rules.
- All commenters must use a single identity when commenting on Village14.
- Sock puppeting (when an anonymous user pretends to be someone they’re not with intent to deceive) is strictly prohibited.
Good luck on your respective campaigns but remember … come Wednesday morning, regardless of election results, the earth will still be spinning on it’s axis and Newton will still be a wonderful town to live in.
I can’t make up my mind, you can’t help, please don’t ring my doorbell, you might wake me up…
Well put V14. I could not be more excited to cast my first set of votes this year, during such a unique election season no less.
Although most, maybe all of us, have experienced moments of frustration here, I’d like to pause and thank everyone who has been participating on Village 14 over the past few months. That includes my fellow volunteer bloggers, commentators, lurkers and all you thumbs uppers and downers.
I feel privileged to live in a community where the passion for municipal politics is this intense. I’m especially grateful to the women and men (sorry Bill) who are running for office. It can’t be easy seeing your name and, too often, your integrity and intentions, bandied about when all you’re really trying to do is serve our community.
Thanks and let’s keep the conversation going beyond Nov. 7.
And, yes, as Councilor Sangiolo says, be kind.
And the date for the “After Election Blogger’s Healing Party” is?
Oh, boy. Today’s Ruthanne mailer is a reprint of last week’s Boston Globe hit, where Ruthanne’s accusations about Scott are highlighted in yellow. This, following yesterday’s “Elect the Right Woman for Mayor” mailer.
Not exactly subtle.
Hey, Village14 Peeps. Be excellent to each other. M’kay?
And, if you are lucky enough to have tickets, make sure you come on out to the Nomad Story Slam at Gregorian Rugs in Upper Falls. Doors open at 7PM and the show starts at 7:30. Come see your candidates for Mayor, City Council and the School Committee tell stories about whatever they want (except no political speeches allowed). Your hosts for the evening will be the inimitable Jerry Reilly, the Empress of Newton, Amy Sangiolo, and yours truly. Get there on the early side if you want your choice of seats because tonight’s show is SOLD OUT!
So don’t be stupid, be a smarty. Come and join this awesome party!
Can’t wait to see the stories at Gregorian Rugs. You’re going to see much less of me the next 4 days, unless I show up at your door. Hope everyone enjoys the election season and doesn’t stress too much!
@Bill Brandel thanks for the heads up. My mail usually sits for a few days before I fish it out of the box.
Here are my thoughts:
Ruthanne is very passive/aggressive. Reports have been that everything was cordial last night all the while she was going to once again hit him with the sexist card the next day. I think she is just an awful person! I’ve really come to dislike her and this is from someone who going into this race was saying that “All things being equal, I would vote for the woman” after the disappointment of the Presidential race. But I have come to realize that all things are not equal…. not even close and electing the first woman mayor of Newton will not be my consolation prize, especially at the expense a such a quality, impressive man as I have come to know Scott Lennon to be.
I think this was a pretty risky move on her part which makes me wonder if her data indicates she may be trailing. Risky because the online comments on that Globe story were overwhelmingly negative towards Fuller. I thinks she is rolling the dice that the low information voters will take the claim at face value. But the problem with low information voters is that they are often low turnout voters. At least I hope so.
I think she is trying to bait Scott to hit back and come off looking like he is bullying the woman. That won’t work. I was knocking doors for Scott the weekend after Ruthanne’s accusation and we had STRICT instructions from Scott that we would not bring it up and would stay positive and focused on issues. Ironically I was surprised with the number of people (mostly women) who brought it up and thought it was much adieu about nothing and though Fuller over-reacted. The whole incident also opened their eyes to the fact that Fuller didn’t send her children to Newton public schools. That was a big issue.
I’l close a request that if you, like me, want to see Scott Lennon elected the next mayor of Newton, get out from behind the computer and show up at his campaign headquarters and help spread the words and turn out the vote!!
Claire: Campaigns tend to reveal the character of the candidate. Scott is known in Newton for being a solid, altruistic, positive person. He has run his campaign that way. Usually, candidates close their campaign on a positive note, and Scott is doing that. Unless this City has changed its appetite for civil discourse, I expect he will be rewarded for his record, his demeanor, his fitness for the role and his positive campaign.
I’m sure there is somewhere else where mailers are being discusses but this is the first thread right now where it came up so here it goes……
Is there some sort of rule about when mailers go out? The past 4+ days my mail has gone from nothing to 5+. RA today had a massive one, way bigger than the rest, I don’t understand. I got 3 RA yesterday.. all the same. I got 2 SF ones with a different quote and picture but the same message… and I have a bunch others too.
Honestly, I appreciated a FEW of them because yard signs don’t say much and I haven’t taken the time to research every candidate. A few of the mailers were insightful and the others were 100% unnecessary. Could they not have started this mailer strategy months ago for a quick strategy or something else? I’m paper conscious and this seems like a ludicrous paper wasting strategy.
Is it going to get worse between now the Tuesday.. should I just buckle up for the ride? Can I go online somewhere and opt out? Whats the deal with these?
I am voting for Fuller because she has always been the one to support conservative causes, and cadidates(Bush, Sarah Palin, Trump). This city has too much education money, and other freebies for people who do not deserve it.
I don’t need liberal Lennon, and his friend Lizzie Warren ruining my with there dummycrat Obama socialism.
We have baby steps to MAGA and conservative, and Fuller is one of them.
Vote Ruthanne Fuller
OK, Carol, I am not a Fuller fan at all, but I’ve seen you post similar comments a few times this week. I don’t think Fuller ever supported Trump. Bush, Romney, and McCain – yes. But you’re probably wrong if you expect her to implement Trumpesque policies here in Newton.
It’s fairly obvious that the “Carol Reid” post above is from someone who is actually trying to discredit RAF, not support her, by associating her with causes that are anathema to most Newtonites.
It’s like some Howie Carr dittohead from the comments section of the Boston Herald was parachuted into V14. Doesn’t pass the smell test.
I’ve come to the same conclusion Robert and I doubt “she” has fooled anyone.
Did she not support those causes and candidates? I’ve known her for a long time now.
Glad to be her supporters
This is why dems don’t win elections. Someone tries to give an opinion, and they automatically assume that they aren’t who they say they are or the berate them for listening to Howie Carr(also against Lennon), or reads the Herald.
Is that sexist to question my sex? “She”
“Carol” – Fuller did not support candidate Trump and does not support President Trump, and yet you keep repeating this lie on multiple threads. You’re not “giving an opinion”, you’re trolling – and you’re not very good at it.
“Carol’s” post is a symptom of something that should be discussed in the post mortem of this election: Who does the fact-checking any more in Newton? Obviously, we live in a world where facts are under duress, and compete with alternative narratives. I would think that Newton would want to remain in the realm of facts. But consider the following factors in how a sleepy, polite election suddenly went awry:
1.) $$$$$$$ Based on CFRs, it looks like over $500K will be raised, and most likely spent, in the Mayoral race alone. This is probably some multiple of the 2013 mayoral contest? It’s difficult to not conclude that this will intensify the desire for an outcome and the nature of interaction that will determine that.
2.) Arbiter of Facts: The Tab does what it can with its resources, but one or even two reporters can’t adequately cover multiple races for a City of 85K people. This leaves the Globe, which often reads like it is covering some other community. I question whether we still have an adequate voice of authority to keep up with the pace of distortion.
3.) Digitization. Thank God for V14, because I don’t know where else a public discussion can take place. However, everyone here – despite their intentions – has their biases and agendas, and make claims that are not always 100% factual. And fact-checking by advocates is less than ideal.
Now, a little fact-checking, here. According to at least two different “directory” sites (are these even accurate?), there is a Carol Reid who resides in Newton. I have no idea if this is one and the same. (So Carol, feel free to shed light on this). What would be more concerning is whether someone is posting under some other resident’s name. If there is no current policy on this, I would encourage V14 to take this into consideration.
Further, 16% of Newton residents cast their ballot for Trump in 2016. Discounting this post because you simply disagree with its contention does little to establish whether it is factual or not. If we do want live in a community that decides matters based on fact, then I would hope that these issues are given some consideration going forward. Because current trends are not exactly encouraging.
Ah, and now the outraged denial of the lie, despite it’s being readily accessible just a few comments up:
But hey, whatever – I’m done feeding you. Stay hungry, my friend.
@Bill
Why is it a problem for a women to say “Elect the Right Woman for Mayor” ? Does anyone think twice when a man states Elect the Right MAN for the job. Are men being sexist when they say this? No..it happens all the time.
@ Claire..have you every sat and had a conversation with Ruthanne or worked with her. If not how can you say “Ruthanne is very passive/aggressive. Reports have been that everything was cordial last night all the while she was going to once again hit him with the sexist card the next day. I think she is just an awful person!” I have worked with both Ruthanne and Scott on the then Board of Alderman. I can tell you that both Ruthanne and Scott are kind and generous people with the best interest of Newton driving them to run for Mayor. Though I support Ruthanne and am writing in support her. I am confident that Scott does not approve of this type of comment, coming from his supporter about his colleague on the council.
Bill, Claire, please remember what Amy said…let’s be nice. At the end of the day we are one community…we live, work, and play together.
Marcie: Scott has run a very positive campaign. He is running on his superior management and leadership experience and his vision for Newton.
I think that you well understand it is critical to have operational and personnel management experience, not to mention budgetary experience if you intend to manage City operations, finances and a work force of 3000 people. And as Scott has been president of the board/council for the duration of Ruthanne’s political career (I believe she voted for him), it is clear who has the stronger political leadership resume. And I think that you would agree that a resume is important when you are applying for a job.
I do not think, though, that any life-long Democrat like Scott is going to run for office in 2017 and say “Elect the Right Man for Office.”
But I do agree that we should well-heed what Amy said: “Vote for Scott.”
Yes Marcia I have indeed had a conversation with Ruthanne and she seemed lovely