With the Labor Day weekend upon us, we’re entering the time when most folks first begin to focus on our fall elections, including seven contested citywide races for City Council and School Committee and five of the contested ward council races. (And it all starts in less than two weeks with a preliminary contest in Ward 5).
Which contests from the list below that you’re watching most closely and why?
Councilor at large (top two winners prevail) All voters eligible to participate.
- Ward 2: Jacob Daniel Auchincloss, Susan S. Albright, Jennifer A. Bentley, Tarik J. Lucas.
- Ward 3, Andrea W. Kelley, James R. Cote, Pamela A. Wright.
- Ward 5: Andreae Downs, Deborah J. Crossley, Paul Edward Coletti
- Ward 6: Greg Schwartz, Victoria L. Danberg, Alicia G. Bowman.
School Committee, All voters eligible to participate.
- Ward 4: Alexander Koifman vs. Tamika Olszewski
- Ward 5: Emily Rachel Prenner vs Lev Agranovich
- Ward 6: Ruth E. Goldman,vs. Galina N. Rosenblit.
Ward Councilors:” Must live in that ward to vote
- Ward 1: Allan L. Ciccone vs. Maria Scibelli Greenberg
- Ward 2: Bryan P. Barash vs. Emily Norton
- Ward 3: Carolina D. Ventura vs. Julia Malakie
- Ward 5: Top two winners of Sept. 10 preliminary between Kathryn K. Winters, Rena L. Getz, William Humphrey
- Ward 6: Lisa R. Teuscher Gordon vs. Brenda Noel
I’m following the 3 new, all brilliant with superb and impressive backgrounds, School Committee candidates, Tamika Olszewski, Lev Agranovich and Galina N. Rosenblit, both for their courage to take on the entrenched establishment and in the hopes that Newton Public School students won’t continue to be required to enroll in Mathnasium to make up for what is sorely lacking at our schools.
Here’s what I’m following the most.
Councilor at large: Ward 3 – who is Pamela Wright? Has she campaigned at all? I’d like to vote against Councilor Cote but I don’t know who she is. I’ll also be following Ward 2 and 6.
I’ll be following all of the school committee races. I think Tamika and Emily will be a breath of fresh air on the committee. I don’t know anything about Galina and would have to read up on her.
I live in Ward 3 and while I admire Julia’s commitment to trees, I’m looking forward to voting for Carolina Ventura. And even though I don’t live in Ward 2, I admire Bryan’s reasonable approach to development and views on affordable housing. I also have grown tired of Emily’s hostile tone when communicating with constituents.
Mary, I think your contrary opinions are not held by a majority of Newton voters. Who’s going to listen to someone with a made up name anyway??? You could be a Russian bot!
From my vantage point, I think Councilors Cote and Norton are doing a fine job. And Julie Malaki has been a strong advocate for Newton ‘s trees. I hope all three of those candidates get elected and I think they will.
@Arthur Jackson — your vantage point must be totally obscured, because MMQC has it 100% right. Unfortunately, though, Pamela Wright appears to be a clone of Councilor Cote so there’s still only one candidate to support in that race, Andrea Kelley. And while we all respect what Julia Malakie has done to preserve Newton’s trees, her rigid anti-development mindset is disqualifying for a council seat. Ward 3 residents should vote for Carolina, who will be a tremendous addition to the Council, as will Bryan in Ward 2, and Tamika and Emily will make outstanding School Committee members. Maybe next cycle some additional credible challengers will emerge so the final few Neanderthals sitting on the Council might be put out to pasture.
Gerry C, I’m confident most Newton residents, by a long shot, would prefer more of Julia Malakie’s trees throughout Newton and Ward 3 than your rigid pro-development mindset and by your implication, Ms. Ventura shares your views.
Your comment should settle it for most voters. Julia Malakie for Ward 3!
Yes, Arthur, I’m a Russian bot posting on V14. I am also the Russian bot that went to the Elm St Farmers Market yesterday and will be possibly getting pizza from Sweet Tomatoes tonight. We Russian bots spend a lot of time in West Newton.
I am interested in the Ward 3 contest. So many people there
are disgusted by the un welcomed proposals for development.
How to ruin an historic Newton village in a flash of an eye!
People nearby are shocked by the total disregard for their
heritage. The vote will symbolize the feelings of the community
and the future of all Newton villages.
I am aware of two West Newton proposals for development: one at Highland and Washington, and one at Cheesecake Brook.
I don’t believe either will ruin historic West Newton. The Cheesecake Brook development proposes to take down three structures, only one of which (the funeral home) is in prime condition. The short term moratorium on demolition is currently in place for those buildings. They should be discussed on their individual merits. The rest of the properties are car lots, low industrial buildings, and warehouse-like structures.
The other ongoing discussion is rezoning, both on Washington St and citywide. Zoning isn’t a proposal for development. Zoning is a guideline for development for the next 30-40 years, not a “blink of an eye”.
I have repeatedly learned the lesson against trying to guess what other people think and summarize them with stereotypes. I suspect that blanket statements like “people nearby are shocked” overstate the uniformity and gravity of people’s opinions. I talk to a good number of people in Ward 3, and I think quite a few of them have more nuanced views. By and large they want to know how development and future plans will affect them and their families.
Regarding the Cheesecake Brook development, I have heard concern for over-stressed infrastructure (schools, traffic, parking, the city’s fiscal infrastructure) and other concerns about “too high”. These concerns need to be discussed and addressed as much as possible. I don’t see any of them impacting the “heritage” of anyone.
Cheesecake Brook is clearly part of Newton’s history. We should care what happens to it. I find it interesting, disappointing, that this love of the Cheesecake Brook property, including possible use of wetlands protection to control development, only happens when someone actually wants to do something new with the property.
Where was that love of heritage before that? Where’s the municipal Cheesecake Brook 30 year plan?
We haven’t been good stewards of Washington St.
I would like to see more ideological diversity on the City Council. Our current city Council is generally tilted towards a more progressive, environmentally activist, pro-development direction. They also spend a lot of time on national issues when they could be more focused on things more directly impacting Newton.
While I support many of those initiatives, I would like to see more of a balanced composition of the city Council so things are thought through carefully, and all perspectives are taken into account when making policy.
Mike – If by “Cheescake Brook” you’re referring to Mark Development’s recent 40b proposal, that is slated to be located on the Barn property and a couple of lots to the east (the project is referred to as “Dunstan East”.) The 3 structures you’re referring to, which include the Brezniak building, are currently in a demolition delay and technically still belong to the current owners, not Korff, as they wait that out, so there are no official plans for that site. Yet.
Some thoughts about Mike H.’s comments, much of which
have relevance for his value system.
However, many people on the north side feel strongly about a different set of values which concern retention of important
village history.
Many of us favor modest change not complete upheaval of our
way of life.
Too much dense, ugly housing is replacing commercial properties.
Small local businesses are quickly obliterated leaving families with no income. Local needed services have already disappeared in Newtonville. There is no respect for those who actually live here. Our politicians have betrayed those living on the north side.
That is how I see it. You can outline your values and debunk mine. However, we are both entitled to be heard and respected.
This upcoming election will indicate how different groups see Newton’s future. Please do not imply your values are the correct
ones for West Newton.
You mentioned 2 development sites. In fact developers have many additional sites, one is 10 stories tall.
The aim is to completely rebuild West Newton Sq. This is not a welcome scenario.
Good points Colleen. I don’t always agree with you, but well said here.
And Gerry, I think we would agree on Bob “ Why can’t we get guys like that” Lobel, my favorite local sportscaster.
And MMQC we agree on Austin Street and it’s misguided emphasis on luxury housing instead of the type of housing we really need-housing for the middle class.
I’m afraid all of the new developments planned for Newton are focused on luxury housing and I think , MMQC, your favored candidates support more housing no matter the type.
Enjoy Sweet Tomatoes-I like their pizza too!!! Maybe that’s something we can all agree on!!
“You mentioned 2 development sites. In fact developers have many additional sites, one is 10 stories tall.”
This statement is not accurate regarding West Newton, as far as I know. The Washington St Vision plans (at least previous drafts, I don’t know about the current one) included the possibility of *allowing* up 10 stories at the MBTA lot inside the Exit 16 turnaround. However, that land is state land. The state and a hypothetical developer would have to agree to a plan that would provide significant benefit to the state. And I’m pretty sure I remember that such a development would also need a special permit, but I’m not positive about that.
At any rate, it’s an unapproved draft zoning plan, not a development plan. A developer does not “have” such a site.
I keep distinguishing between development plans and the zoning vision because it is confusing to many people, especially those who don’t have time in their busy lives to keep up with civic issues around them.
A discussion of my values and my respect for others is a distraction from more important comments in this thread. I have a pretty long comment history at this point for the bored to review.
However, some of my relevant core values include trying to provide as accurate information as possible in an understandable way, building consensus through rational discussion, understanding not just people’s opinions but the underlying hopes and fears and needs why they have formed them, and bridging people inside and outside government to improve lives.
I try to live those values, and I vote those values.
I’m following the Norton/Barash contest in Ward 2. There could be an upset in this race. In order to win, Emily needs to be out front in cutting the size of the City Council and offering a concrete plan to do so.
On another thread I mentioned what I thought it would take for Newton to “stay the same.”
Absent a plan to accomplish this or manage growth within the laws we operate under – and “neighbors are shocked is not a plan” – I’m inclined to vote for the candidate with a plan.
Usually, that means someone pro-density and pro-development (which suits my ideology). But in the last mayoral primary it was Amy Sangilio, because although I didn’t love her plan for leafy suburban Newton, it was a plan and I thought she could execute it.
As always, all views are my own. But for those who oppose development, tell me what you’re going to do – other than talk – to stop it.
Anne A,
I’m hoping most Newton residents will support only candidates who are NOT “pro-density and pro-development” but prefer to retain “leafy suburban Newton”. But I know some residents want to destroy that very character of Newton proclaiming Newton’s higher calling is to address ‘global climate change (warming)’ and ‘social justice (relocate affluent people out and underprivileged in)’. I honestly hope those residents comprise only a minority of voters.
The majority of Washington Street in Newton from Newton Corner through West Newton is not leafy. It’s paved, occupied by many industrial buildings and parking lots, and inhospitable to those who live near it and travel along and across it. With few exceptions, businesses along Washington Street survive in spite of the road, not because of it.
I look forward to hearing specific visions of a future Washington Street from all candidates in the appropriate wards, and even those running city-wide.
What do you want (rather what don’t you want), and what is your plan to bring it into fruition?
Jim: I love leafy Newton. I think all of our city councilors do too. But Washington Street and village centers seems like a good place to me for some density. That’s not anti-leafy Newton. Last I looked Washington street wasn’t that green and leafy.
I think there is some nuance here among many of the candidates. Including some of those folks label anti-development to be fair. So I look forward to that nuance before I show who i am supporting.
But I do agree with Anne. I follow the minutia here. Show me the plan in broad terms and I’ll listen.
Also mike and I are not the same person. That was funny though!
😉
Mike, I was primarily referring to those candidates, such as Bryan Barash who favor dense housing development, as he says on another thread, spread throughout Newton in residential areas, such as the Highlands near Cold Spring Park, Crystal Lake and the Highlands T station. Where could that new ‘affordable’ dense housing go but in the only land there and nearby (with the exception of Lincoln Street with its historic buildings), being a leafy residential area?
Jim, I’m pretty sure that is not Bryan’s position.
You can certainly disagree with him, but that last leap in logic connecting increase density to tearing down our leafy places sound like you are trying to make fetch happen. And fetch ain’t happening Jim. 😉
Bryan and you disagree on density. We get it. Disagreements are healthy. But I think you’ve lost the nuance in your effort to paint him with the broad brush you are carrying around lately.
Also, on a side note, I am still shocked they could make Mean Girls into a musical. But then again, they did manage to make Spongebob into a musical….
Happy night before school to all the other parents out there.
@MMQC (higher up) – Thanks, it is really important that we focus on the missing middle and not JUST deeply affordable housing. Both are important.
@Fig – Love the Fetch reference.
I get that it’s easier to paint with a broad brush, but good policy is not that simple. We have a beautiful community and anywhere we look to add housing is going to ruffle some feathers. It needs to be thoughtful and done with community input. But yeah, as I have stated before, we should add some housing on Washington Street in the right places, but we should also look for opportunities to add some housing near T stations in Waban, Newton Highlands, Newton Centre, etc.
You guys have to understand, increasing our commercial tax base is important. You want to say that it hurts smaller business’s. I think that’s true. BUT, a larger commercial tax base means less stress on property taxes. It means more revenue for the city. It means less tax overrides. It means easier contract negotiations.
I think it’s up to all of us to question our elected leaders and new development, but not to close the door on new development. There needs to be a balance. Newton can’t stay in the 20th century forever.
The “new development” I think we’ve been focusing on here is not the commercial part. That’s not the problem. Certainly new, dense or improved commercial development in already commercial or industrial type areas is more than fine, such as Washington Street which is repeatedly raised as the red herring here.
The problem is when candidates, such Bryan B., toss around “look for opportunities” for dense low cost ‘affordable’ housing, for instance in the Highlands north of Route 9, and after repeated queries on another thread where, there is no answer provided (leaving the only remaining areas being conversion of single family to multi unit dwellings on leafy residential streets).
Colleen-Newton Center has had no dense development, or development, in the 20+ years I’ve lived here but has lost small business after business.
@MMQC Sorry to see I lost your vote.
@Gerry C: I’m a clone of my opponent? Possibly you should do some homework on the candidates. I’m quite sure I stand out as a very independent voice, that is awesome at constituent services. My background is so diverse, with experiences not duplicated by others on the Council, that I’ve been referred to as the Forrest Gump of the Council.
My trademark from my years in the Marines, to today on the City Council, is that people are at ease once they’ve contacted me.
@Sarah: I’m with you: My actions on the Council are that I’m there for Municipal business and I don’t participate in Council actions to make statements on national/international issues just to hear myself speak. I agree we need more balance.
I am interested in Ward 5: Emily Rachel Prenner vs Lev Agranovich. I know Emily’s positions, but I know NOTHING about Lev, other than he wanted people to come to his office to sign his paperwork and he appeared as a one issue candidate.
@Tom how do all these apartments increase our commercial tax base?
@Lucia. I agree. The volume of empty store fronts in newton centre is alarming. Three more in the last month just on Union Street. The old Murray’s still sits empty. The empty space next to the post office is getting a new tenant… a bank!