I’ve heard from three sources that Bryan Barash has either decided to run or is thinking about running for Ward Councilor in Ward 2 against three-term incumbent Emily Norton. (I’m awaiting confirmation from Bryan.Emily has confirmed that she’s running for reelection.) Given that Emily ran the campaign to defeat the Charter changes and Bryan was a big pro-Charter changes guy (and a commissioner on the committee that proposed said changes), we are likely looking at a very competitive race.
Election Day 2019 is 15 months away and, if Gerry Chervinsky is correct in his comment on another thread about Ward 5, we already have two interesting races forming.
Update: Here’s Barash’s press release and website link.
My name is Bryan Barash and I am running to be your local Ward 2 City Councilor.
At a time when so much of our politics is divisive, we need to come together as a community to meet the needs of our neighborhood and our city. As your city councilor I will utilize my decade of public policy expertise, combined with my intimate knowledge of both state and local government, to ensure your concerns are heard and your needs are met at City Hall.
I believe strongly in the power of kindness, the impact of compromise, and the decency of the people who live here. I am guided by my progressive values and driven by a desire to give back to this community which has given me so much.
In announcing my candidacy, I commit to running a clean, positive, grassroots campaign. To that end, and because I am so concerned about the pernicious influence of money in politics at all levels, I am refusing contributions to my campaign from municipal lobbyists and developers.
Over the days and months ahead, I plan to lay out an ambitious platform to move Newton forward. Most of all, I want to hear what’s on your mind. I plan to spend the next year talking with every single person in our community, to find out what you’re hearing, what you’re excited about, what you’re worried about, and what I can do to improve your life and our community.
Together, I know we can do great things for this city that we love and call home. I am looking forward to talking with you soon, and will work hard to earn your vote in November 2019.
Sincerely,
Bryan Barash
Another bill Humphrey’s…..?! Oh god please, just no!
From reading Bryans post here, i think we can expect someone who is going to very upfront with his beliefs and simply will let voters decide.
I expect him to be very upfront in regards to future tax overrides, zoning, schools and crime. It will force away much double speak from the race
My impression of him: he is very proud to wear a “social justice at ANY cost” badge
Run Bryan run! How refreshing it would be to have a W2 Ward councilor who doesn’t oppose every development project and who would be a real friend of the schools. Time for a very necessary change!
Contested elections are good for our city. I’m sure this one will be a focus point. There are a lot of really important issues in Newtonville to discuss. The usual development topics of course, but also the following:
1) Renewing and improving the village center, including making the most of the Walnut redo
2) Senior Center renovation and improvement
3) Newtonville T-station improvements
4) Cabot Park improvements
5) Road repayings (our streets are in bad shape)
6) Pike improvements (they just cut down a huge mass of trees along the pike, time for a noise barrier?)
7) New Art Center/bringing art into the village center/gallery space
I really hope we talk about more than just development.
I’ve certainly had my frustrations with Emily, but she is a hyper-local politician with a dedicated and vocal core of supporters. She will be difficult to beat. But she hasn’t had a challenge since she won the first time I think. And Bryan has some name recognition and they are clearly very different.
I look forward to the vigorous debates! Great for our village and city to have them too.
Why doesn’t Mr. Barash run for one of the at-large Ward 2 Council seats since he was such a strong advocate for eliminating the ward councilors?
@Bob: your question presumes that board size is the only issue that matters in Newton. It isn’t.
Great race. Development along Washington Street will be the major issue, as it should be in that ward. Bryan is a bright young guy and gained some name recognition during his service on the CC. He is also a fierce competitor.
Councilor Norton is, of course, a force of nature who has built up strong support in the ward. She is the obvious favorite, but this one could be a very interesting race. Good luck to both!
Bob:
One reason could be is that Susan and Jake are both closer to Bryan’s positions on things. Also ward councilor is easier to contest and potentially win. I seem to recall a lot of chatter from the No side about how ward campaigns were true democracy because they allowed first time candidates to run and win. Always did think that was a good point.
The charter reform didn’t win. Are Yes advocates just supposed to ignore the system that is now in place for the next 10 years?
I do agree that it is a bit ironic though. That’s life though!
Andy: I hope development is not the only major issue. There is a lot more things to discuss in Newtonville and the City than just that. Looking forward to the debate.
fignewtonville (sic): why would I want all three of Ward 2 councilors close to being on same page? You wrote that Mr. Barash is closer to Susan and Jake. If this is true, could we wind up with no significant differences among the 3 Ward 2 councilors on some major issues?
Bob:
My point wasn’t what you (Bob) would want. You may very well want major differences of opinion, although I’m guessing you wouldn’t object to all 3 being closer to Emily.
My point was that for Bryan is makes sense to run against someone you can clearly differentiate yourself against. Campaigns against incumbents are easier if there are real differences of opinion between the newcomer and the incumbent. Against Jake, Bryan is just another young guy, some differences but not the same as the Yes/No charter debate, development debate, that he gets with Emily.
Even if you are a huge supporter of Emily, it is pretty obvious she has taken some very public and very contentious positions in her time on the counsel. Again, while I might not agree with her, I admire her for doing so. Far better for someone to fight for their beliefs than be a do nothing councilor. But I also think that it is easier to run against that type of candidate.
Anyway, we are a LONG way away from this election, and to be honest I’m more focused on November 2018 than November 2019. And I’m being truthful when I say I’m excited for the debate. It is good for my city and my village to have contested elections. And I say that about the at-large councilors as well. I hope Susan and Jake get challenged too (for the record, I think they are both doing a good job).
Gnite all!
Broad size, Greg? What are you referring to with that phrasing? Also, fignewtonville wrote: ‘Susan and Jake are both closer to Bryan’s positions on things.’ fignewtonville uses the plural while your reference is singular. So my question remains open: could we wind up with no significant differences among the 3 Ward 2 councilors on some major issues? That is plural.
Bob: I’m unable to respond to your comment/question because I don’t understand it.
All other considerations aside, I prefer one-on-one campaigns instead of the at large contests where the top two vote getters are elected. It’s creates a cleaner, more focused contest. Let’s have contested races for all our seats.
Bob, well, if all three ward councilors are working hard and I agree with them, I’m happy to vote for them.
Are you telling me that if you could have folks similar to Emily run for the 2 at-large spots and win, you’d be against that?
This is a chance for the local Newtonville community to have a choice. If the majority wants Emily (and the significant differences you state), well then we wind up with such differences of opinion. If they want something different, then that’s ok too, no? Democracy has winners and losers in elections. And as Andy correctly states, Emily is clearly the favorite (incumbency, city wide name recognition, record to run on, etc.)
I like choices. I hope every election we have is contested. Really.
I’m really excited to hear there is a contested race for Ward 2 City Councilor and am looking forward to hearing more about Bryan’s campaign in the future.
As for our 3 ward 2 Councilors agreeing or disagreeing, Jake differs from the other two on marijuana. Emily difers on development from the other two. Susan is very proactive with both the schools, Newtonville Village center and what’s going on with development. At this point, I would say Susan is the most engaged in various community matters, development too.
Even with Jake’s meeting hours which the others have as well, I find him the least responsive to the community. I had high hopes for Jake and like his well-thought out reasoned arguments on most things, including his monthly newsletter. Although I would vote for him again against Brendan.
I disagree with Bryan almost as much as I agree with him on issues, his positions on other city matters and the manner he uses to express his positions. Same with Emily. I like councilors who can listen to their constituents and have a civil, reasoned discussion with both parties leaving a little more enlightened. It’s going to be an interesting campaign.
Marti:
Agree 100% with your post.
Good. I’m always happy to see a contested election. Hoping to see one in my own ward (ward 3) for the next election.
Emily and Bryan are both excellent. I’m interested in seeing where this goes.
But if the ward 2 incumbent is defeated, who’s going to flitter about Newton snapping pictures of plastic bags, sniffing for gas leaks and railing against people living their lives in ways by which she disapproves?