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 Andreae Downs, who is running for one of the two Ward 5 at-large seats, has submitted the following post.
Hello Village 14 readers!
Since joining City Council last year, I have been working hard for YOU:
· Listening to you,
· researching best practices for cities and towns for use here, and
· reporting back to you in office hours and newsletters (www.andreae4newton.org)
I will continue to work toward making Newton more welcoming, beautiful and resilient because I love this city. We raised our two daughters here, and I want our city to work for everyone who lives and works here.
Local government can be a dynamic force for good. For economic and ethnic diversity, environmental protection and sustainability.
In this term, I have
· fought for the independence of the Community Preservation Committee, helped to start the Friends of Cold Spring Park, and worked closely with Friends of Hemlock Gorge.
· I worked on plans for Needham and Washington streets that allow US to shape our future rather than always being surprised by developers’ proposals.
· I helped shape zoning rules that increase the percentage of affordable housing. I support repairing our streets, fixing gas leaks, and financing a plan to reduce flooding.
· I support getting more of us on 100% clean electricity, and reducing the use of throwaway plastic.
· I also contributed to the Economic Development Plan and Climate Action plans.
It’s hard work, but I enjoy it and I ask that you return me to City Council on November 5. If you vote in Newton you can vote for me.
Your “work on plans for Washington Street and Needham Street that allow US to shape our future “, brings up a few questions.
Who do you include as US ? The city design department? Err,.. Planning Department ?
The Mayor ? Like minded City Councilors ? Village 14 housing advocates ? The Chamber of Commerce ?
Certainly not the taxpayers of the city whose expectations for stable property ownership is threatened with overdevelopment, excess traffic, school overcrowding, Mc Mansionization, and loss of Garden City character.
“Density is the Problem “ and I don’t see your recognition of this issue .
What BPB said.
Hey Blue:
The zoning on Washington Street now allows for 1-2-3 story buildings. It prioritizes parking lots. It does not include screening the Pike, making better pedestrian connections, adding small & affordable retail, preserving historic facades, breaking up mega-blocks, adding parks, etc. All of which came out of the visioning process.
To afford to to all this, the private land on Washington will have to add density—including some height. If it doesn’t, we will get 40B—it’s already starting in West Newton with Dunstan Place.
When we have something built within zoning, we can require certain amenities—like those parks. Under 40B? No chance.
One of the hardest working councilors in Newton. Thank you councilor Downs for your leadsership
*Leadership
As I have asked of Ward 5 candidate Kathy Winters, also ask of you, And I thank you for such tremendous interest and committed work in serving community!
https://www.wbur.org/earthwhile/2019/06/19/proposed-weymouth-gas-compressor-explained
If elected City Councilor what are you prepared to do to resist The Commonwealth’s ruinous rejection of the global Science-led determination to end new fossil fuel development in highly developed nations and to remain in support of 2916 Paris Agreement?
Read more: City Council campaign column: Kathy Winters | Village 14 https://village14.com/2019/10/25/city-council-campaign-column-kathy-winters/