I’m sure there are hyper-reactive people everywhere but when it comes to changes in Newtonville, some residents’ response borders on hysteria. Conspiracies flourish over the smallest things – such as referring to “an “outreach” meeting held on March 29 but it was held in a small women’s club in Newton Highlands, NOT in Newtonville … “ and negative conclusions drawn regardless of their veracity.
To remedy this “problem” situation “There’s going to be a walk-around meeting outside the building at 697 Washington St. (where the marijuana shop will be, added to “Garden Remedies” the medical pot shop) this Thursday April 12 at 9 AM.”
Concerns expressed include “greatly increased parking, traffic and general busy-ness in that block of Washington St. and in Court St., behind the building.”
Ending with “the medical marijuana business should be separated geographically from the much larger non-medical business location: put the pot shop elsewhere.”
I want to be clear that I have no problem with community meetings. Evidently the building owner, who appears to disregard abutters valid complaints about the property, and Attorney Buchbinder, who represents Garden Remedies, will be there. Hopefully they will waylay any and all concerns.
What do you think?
The only thing I’m 100% certain about, is that the city’s elected “leaders” will mishandle this situation. Fuller and her full-of-its on the City Council are thus far batting 1000.
I forecast there will be a crowd of non-neighborhood protesters/disruptors, because Newton. Garden Remedies may want to have a police officer on hand — they’re a different type from the peaceful, respectful clientele that GR usually serves.
I’m curious. Where do people learn about these types of meetings? Is it the listserv? The google group seems to be rather inactive.
Can folks post how to join both the google group and the listserv?
I’m a believer in the exchange of information. And many of my neighbors have asked me questions on stuff like this. Most of the time I just point them to Susan/Jake/Emily. But to the extent there are other community forums besides this one, it would be great to post what they are.
There is the Newton Mom’s forum for one. Jake’s email list, Emily’s email list, ect. Maybe this belongs in a separate post.
In the absence of the tab, what are the community forums to exchange information?
The LAST place I’d send anyone for information on the topic of this thread, would be email newsletters from Norton or Auchincloss. Norton has denied being anti-cannabis, but just look at her record. Auchincloss is actually on-the-record opposing cannabis reform. He was quick to support the “right” of students to fly a Confederate flag at NNHS, but voted to block the ballot box vote that legalized cannabis. In response to Norton and Auchincloss demonstrating a disdain for the democratic process, I have UN-subscribed from their email newsletters. Hardly a sufficient response to vote-stealers, but I have a lot more left in the tank.
The City of Boston was able to enact zoning to allow recreational marijuana retailers in its business districts without any undue delay, so long as they are not clustered together, consistent with the will of a significant majority of Massachusetts voters. Too bad Newton’s elected officials cannot seem to get their act together to pass something expeditiously.
@Ted Hess-Mahan – Yes, if Boston can deal with this that expeditiously Newton really has no excuse.
The only reason the City Council has [thus far] gotten away with this crap, is that more people have not aggressively challenged them on it. Most people prefer to keep politics civil, particularly on a local level. This is what civility gets you, arrogant politicians replacing a ballot box vote with their own conflicting agenda…
Think of the arrogance involved for a Councilor like Auchincloss, who publicly stated he was opposed to legalizing cannabis, to then void that ballot box vote the first opportunity he got. More people need to speak up until Fuller and the City Council reverse this despicable attack on the democratic system.