We have invited all candidates running for contested seats in the upcoming Newton election to submit a guest post to Village 14. The format and content of the post is entirely up to them.
City Council candidate Alicia Bowman, who is running for one of the two Ward 6 at-large seats, has submitted the following post.
Thank you Village14 for this opportunity.
I would like to talk about the importance of electing leaders to the City Council. The greater Boston region is facing unprecedented challenges on housing and transportation. What happens around us affects us too and we must be part of the solution. Having more housing, especially senior housing and affordable housing is important to many current Newton residents. Improvements to transportation options will be a huge benefit to Newton as well. We have other key decisions including continuing work on improving school buildings and roadways, increasing the commercial tax base, and ensuring Newton remains a vibrant community that works people from a broad socio-economic range. These issues must be addressed while also taking definitive action on the climate crisis.
Every person we elect to City Council must be prepared and willing to lead, that means they must understand the priorities, be able to think strategically and not just reactively, work with fellow councilors and residents to develop a shared understanding of the issues and the options, build consensus and know what it takes to effectively implement change. Leaders don’t leave communication to other people and understand consensus does not mean everyone agrees. Leaders are willing have tough conversations and able to move the community forward.
On November 5th you have a choice to vote for a candidate with those leadership skills. I have an MBA and many years as a management consultant. I have 15 years as a community advocate helping people solve problems. I have built strong relationships with city officials. I am endorsed by the Newton Teachers Association, Progressive Newton, the Sierra Club, Engine 6 and the Newton North Bike Club and many community leaders because of the work I have done. I have the necessary passion and energy to do this very hard job. I ask for your vote.
Oh and if you want to see my candidate statement it is here. https://vimeo.com/365388975
But what about the central question: Why should we replace councilors Schwartz and Danberg, whose views are quite similar to those expressed here?
Alicia Bowman is a hero and she’s got my vote! To learn why, you can read the letter of endorsement I wrote for her that was published in the Newton TAB last month:
https://newton.wickedlocal.com/news/20190928/letter-bowman-civic-minded-public-spirited-ideal-for-newton-city-council
Her bike-at-all costs viewpoints have been a real turnoff to me and I feel like that’s her primary issue. She does have some impressive endorsements, but I haven’t really liked what I’ve seen so far.
It may not be directly pertinent to her City Council campaign but I’d like to give a personal shout-out to Alicia Bowman for building a wonderful Newton tradition – the annual Tour de Newton.
Six years ago we had an idea for a unique bicycle event that was designed specifically for Newton and its 13 villages. It was a bike event aimed at casual bike riders, kids, families. It started simultaneously in all 13 villages with the riders traveling with their neighbors through all the other villages on a 20+ mile loop. As each group arrived at each village they were greeted by locals who told them a bit about the village, handed out snacks and a village badge.
My experience is that ideas are always the easy part, the hard part comes in actually executing them. In this case it was a particularly uphill ride since the nature of the event meant that we would need 50 -100 volunteers, a substantial budget, coordination with the city, training of dozens of ride leaders, registering 500+ riders, pavement markings of the entire 20 mile route, and endless other details. Alicia was the organizational mastermind who put it all together and made it happen for each of the last six years.
I don’t expect the City Council to be organizing any big bicycle events soon but I do think Alicia’s ability to juggle dozens of balls in the air, manage myriad details while keeping an eye on the big picture, cooperating, coordinating, and communicating with large teams of people – all with a relaxed and always pleasant disposition, are all assets that could be put to good use on the City Council.
Thanks Alicia for creating a great Newton tradition, thanks for making it happen every year and making it look easy, and good luck in your campaign for City Council
I don’t post here a lot but as a friend of Alicia’s I want to relate my own experience of her dedication to living her values as a bike advocate and enthusiast. Which is – she has never once judged me for not having gotten on a bike in years due to being hit by a car on my bike while I was in high school or said a word about how I need to get over it…In fact, the policies Alicia and others are advocating for make the case that due to the climate crisis it’s on us and our elected officials and city managers to make it easier, safer and more convenient for people to go car-light, whatever that might look like.
Alicia has said in as many ways as she knows how that biking is just one piece of the puzzle, but the fact that this advocacy might actually bring protected bike lanes to our streets and allow me to get on a bike for the first time in 40 years is pretty awesome to consider. Meantime, no way I’m hitting the streets on a bike and I guarantee you she thinks no less of me or anyone else who makes this choice.
Alicia’s commitment to Safe Routes is an example of the work ethic she’ll bring to the city council, which is second to none. I’m not a biker at all, but she has my vote.
Newtoner, we should replace Schwartz primarily due to his stridently misguided opposition to siting cannabis stores in Newton, and secondarily due to his lackluster performance on the Council’s Land Use committee. If you supported charter reform then his opposition would provide a third reason. Personally I feel bad talking up Bowman over Schwartz because he’s a really good guy whom I helped in his first Council campaign, but he’s been a huge disappointment in office. Bowman’s potential to be an excellent Councilor far outweighs my reluctance to oppose Schwartz. If you’re feeling the way I do, her potential should far outweigh your reluctance, too.
@Gerry Chervinsky: I agree with you on the cannabis issue, but Bowman is not saying anything about it.
“The greater Boston region is facing unprecedented challenges on housing and transportation.”
Ideally the two are harmonious but what if they are not?
WHAT IF THE HOUSING GENERATES MORE TRAFFIC THAN THE TRANSPORTATION (PLAN) CAN MANAGE?
Where does Alicia stand?
Over the past 18 months, I’ve seen Greg lean from one side to the other on this, but at least he’s open to opinion, data and other inputs. All of the Council should be weighing all of the above, not just march Newton blindly into density.
Sorry, we can’t bike our way out of this one. As the temps begin to drop, so too will bike trips and bike traffic. Needham Street was a (poop) show yesterday.
And lest not forget development’s impact on schools. Classrooms are filled, teacher contracts unsettled, programs underfunded or on the chopping block (Arts). How can a candidate be for both housing and schools as a primary campaign point? What if these one has to give in to the others? How will they lead in the face of this challenge?
Alicia certainly seems to have made many friends in Newton, but my vote will be going to Mr. Schwartz!!!
@Newtoner-
Bowman’s characterization of
“Fearmongering Neighbors” near a pot shop on another thread would seem to indicate that Bowman is solidly on board with the roll out and use of tax revenue from the pot shops. Logic would say that she has to be. She has
a long shopping list of new policies and programs which will require spending, lots of it. Otherwise it’s an override. Probably both. My guess is it’s a subject she probably wants to stay far away from ask possible because it will be very hard to convince teachers, school moms, Girl Scout dens
and healthcare providers that we should count the revenue from joints, to supplement our city services.
@Matt Lai-
More traffic yes, but we’ll still have the tour de Newton and a rich bicycle culture…