This just in from the Mayor-elect Ruthanne Fuller…
Mayor-elect Ruthanne Fuller is pleased to announce the formation of the Transition Team. A three member Executive Committee of co-chairs Sarah Ecker, Gloria Gavris and Aaron Goldman and thirty four committee members will assist the Mayor-Elect as she prepares to become Mayor on January 1, 2018.
Sarah Ecker is a community leader and former interim Community Engagement Director and Chief Financial Officer for Mayor Setti Warren and lives in Newtonville. Gloria Gavris is a community leader and chair of the West Suburban YMCA and lives in Chestnut Hill. Aaron Goldman served as a longtime aide to Mayor Setti Warren throughout his two terms and lives in West Newton.
Transition Team Members Include: Alicia Bowman, Nicole Castillo, Al Cecchinelli, John Dalzell, Seana Gaherin, Tom Gloria, Holly Gunner, Kalpana Guttman, Adrienne Hartzell, Reverend Howard Haywood, Jennifer Huntington, Judy Jacobson, David Jellinek, Jonathan Kantar, Eli Katzoff, Anne Larner, Lois Levin, Jennifer MacIntyre, Arthur Magni, Howard Mintz, Srdjan Nedeljkovic, Chloe O’Neil (Newton North HS ’18), Nathan Phillips, Angela Pitter-Wright, Tyrone Powell, Joe Prestejohn, Jack Prior, Jeffrey Sacks, City Councilor Amy Mah Sangiolo, Teresa Sauro, Sydra Schnipper, John Sisson, Rabbi Keith Stern, Jay Walter.
The team, which was assembled following the election, will give recommendations for the incoming administration in six areas: Community Engagement & Community Life; An All-Age Friendly Newton; Village Vitality, Economic Development & Housing Affordability; Environmental Sustainability; Transportation & Infrastructure; and Public Safety & Public Health.
“I am thrilled to have such a diverse, talented, and committed group of citizens from all across Newton willing to lend their time and expertise to our Transition Team as we work to make Newton the best it can be,” said Mayor-Elect Fuller. “Each member has a deep knowledge of and love for Newton.”
Mayor-Elect Fuller encourages all Newtonians to offer their ideas, comments, and suggestions on ways to move Newton forward to her and the Transition Team. Thoughts can be submitted through the Fuller for Mayor website www.ruthannefuller.com by clicking on the “Contact” tab on the main menu, or by emailing Ruthanne directly at [email protected].
Mayor-Elect Fuller also invites all residents to join her at a series of “Out-of-Office Hours” she will be hosting across the city to directly engage with residents prior to her inauguration.
“During my campaign, I learned so much by knocking on doors and hearing from Newton residents on their own doorsteps and in their villages. I’m setting up these ‘Out-of-Office Hours’ to have casual conversations across Newton before taking office,” said Fuller. “All are welcome to attend—adults, families, and business people. Drop in for a few minutes to say hello or join us for the whole session. As Mayor, I plan to have an open door policy at City Hall as well as active outreach into the community—and this is a first step towards that goal. I hope to see you there!” Mayor-Elect Fuller invites all to the following drop-in sessions between now and her inauguration on January 1, 2018.
Tuesday, November 28th, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Breadsong Bakery/Auburndale Community Library 349 Auburn Street
Tuesday, November 28th, 2:00 – 3:30 pm Cabot’s Ice Cream & Restaurant 743 Washington Street
Wednesday, November 29th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm West Street Tavern & Restaurant 7 West Street
Saturday, December 2nd, 3:00 – 4:30 pm L’Aroma Café 15 Spencer Street
Monday, December 4th, 5:00 – 6:30 pm Shake Shack The Street At Chestnut Hill 49 Boylston Street
Tuesday, December 5th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm O’Hara’s Food & Spirits 1185 Walnut Street
Saturday, December 9th, 2:00 – 3:30 pm Waban Library Center 1608 Beacon Street
Wednesday, December 13th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm Dunn-Gaherin’s Food & Spirit 344 Elliot Street
Thursday, December 14th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm Bill’s Pizzeria 753 Beacon Street
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Ruthanne Fuller was elected Mayor of Newton on November 7,
A townhall meeting in Newtonville might be a possible idea to allow an open conversation with the mayor elect.
Interesting mix of people in her transition team.
Wow.
Like her approach – but I think she is missing a key focus area – “Public Schools”.
Neil – Angela Pitter-Wright who is on Ruthanne’s team is an outgoing School Committee member. Angela seems to be a straight shooter so a good choice on that area.
@NH Mom – I agree Angela is a straight shooter. But Schools is not one of the 6 key area.
I hope RAF adds Education as the 7th area. After all, it was her #1 Issue during the elections.
@Neil P I am guessing since there is an entire school committee, she doesn’t feel the need to augment in that area. Now if the new school committee wants to encourage some citizen input as they transition, I’m sure that would be helpful, but that is their call.
I think that it is Seniors who need stronger advocacy. I am only familiar with a few of the names on her transition team, but wonder if any are uniquely qualified to advocate for Seniors?
Agreed, Claire. I find it a bit odd that Marian Knapp isn’t on the team. She is chair of the Council On Aging and led the charge to get this city designated an Age Friendly city by the AARP and the WHO. To have a committee looking at Newton as age friendly without Marian is nonsensical.
@NativeNewtonian, I will seek to learn more about Marian Knapp. Along the campaign trail I met Joyce Proctor, who endorced RAF and was so eloquent about Senior Housing issues. I had hoped to see her engaged
Do you perhaps mean Joyce Picard? She also serves on the Council On Aging and is very concerned with senior housing. Very passionate. But Marian has a broader knowledge of gerontology including other issues than housing. She writes for the Tab intermittently on senior issues. Disappointing that she was not tapped by Ruthanne.
Yes Joyce Picard! We need both of them!!
I would have liked to have seen Tom Davis on the transition team He has a perspective that needs to be addressed.
https://www.facebook.com/RuthanneFullerForNewton/photos/pcb.868746843306876/868744019973825/?type=3&theater
Saw this on Facebook yesterday and began to wonder, which is bigger: Fuller’s transition team or the entire New England Patriots roster?? I’m surprised they all fit in one room!
@Tom: Thanks for the shout-out. Relevant to this, a mentor and good friend of mine served as the Executive Director of a presidential transition. One reason I was able to produce unprecedented results as president of the largest law school student organization in the United States was because of the invaluable lessons I learned from this individual. As I did with Mayor Warren, I’ve reached out to offer any help – based on my unique and qualified perspective, specific to Newton – that I can offer Mayor-elect Fuller. For the sake of Newton’s disadvantaged residents, moving forward, the bottom line is that we need to do better because we are capable of doing significantly better.