Sean, any analysis about whether the night’s results moves the council in a more progressive or conservative way? I’m having trouble with the math!
Sean Roche
on November 5, 2019 at 10:11 pm
My quick math (and I’ll have a full post, but not until tomorrow).
Bill Humphrey, Holly Ryan, and Alicia Bowman are significantly more progressive than the councilors they will replace: John Rice, Cheryl Lappin, and Greg Schwartz. I don’t know where Holly stands on development overall, but she seems more pro-housing than Cheryl.
Pam Wright and Julia Malakie are very clearly development-skeptical, but don’t replace generally pro-housing types in Jim Cote and Barbara Brousal-Glaser.
I’d say the 16th vote has moved significantly to the left. And, I don’t see how Marc Laredo keeps the gavel. ZAP won’t get a much more progressive chair than Susan Albright. If Susan becomes president and Deb Crossley becomes chair, that might move things a little to the center. Land Use will almost assuredly get a more pro-growth chair with a new president.
Sean Roche
on November 5, 2019 at 10:20 pm
Also, I don’t see how Jay Ciccone keeps the PS&T chair. With her impressive sophomore results and her copious knowledge and experience, I hope Andreae Downs gets the gig.
Peter Kay
on November 5, 2019 at 10:06 pm
All I see is white faces though.
Not ideal.
Sean Roche
on November 5, 2019 at 10:13 pm
Peter,
Yes.
Sophia Catherine
on November 5, 2019 at 10:08 pm
Fignewtonville, maybe you should get a calculator
Peter Karg
on November 5, 2019 at 10:30 pm
Susan Albright will be the next Council President.
Sean Roche
on November 5, 2019 at 11:24 pm
Fun facts:
Seven of the top-ten at-large vote-getters were women, including the top two.
The top three ward vote-getters were women.
Don’t read too much into these numbers. A lot has to do with who was in contested races. And, wards are different sizes. But, still …
Blueprintbill
on November 6, 2019 at 10:34 am
Beware of what ward 6 has brought us!
When only 25 % of the cities total registered voters came out and by and large pushed the pro development agenda /camp forward I hesitate to think what this means for the future of the “ Garden City “. My only hope is that like a pendulum, the “progressive“ mindset will have reached its extreme limits and political gravity will return the body politic to a place consistent with the preservation agendas of Right Size Newton, the Newton Villages Alliance and any other grass roots organization that might see fit to arise from the ashes.
Ward 6 seems to lead the way, voting in Alicia Bowman who wants us to “ELIMINATE SINGLE FAMILY ZONING”!!!!! Imagine That !
Wake Up Voters!!!
Peter Kay
on November 6, 2019 at 11:12 am
@Blueprintbill – labelling folks who want to develop at all costs including the appurtenant greenhouse gas emissions, congestion, and other pollution as “progressive” is as comical as those opposed to a woman’s right to choose calling themselves pro-life. i.e. It’s not funny at all.
fignewtonville
on November 6, 2019 at 11:26 am
I think we should have a “what comes next” post. I have some thoughts.
Sean Roche
on November 6, 2019 at 1:40 pm
Fig-aroni,
You want to know how much I want to learn what your thoughts are? I created a post for the sole purpose of eliciting them.
fignewtonville
on November 6, 2019 at 2:05 pm
Roche Brother (like the grocery store, get it):
You’ll need to wait until tonight. But I’ll post some thoughts tonight.
S’about time!
Sean, any analysis about whether the night’s results moves the council in a more progressive or conservative way? I’m having trouble with the math!
My quick math (and I’ll have a full post, but not until tomorrow).
Bill Humphrey, Holly Ryan, and Alicia Bowman are significantly more progressive than the councilors they will replace: John Rice, Cheryl Lappin, and Greg Schwartz. I don’t know where Holly stands on development overall, but she seems more pro-housing than Cheryl.
Pam Wright and Julia Malakie are very clearly development-skeptical, but don’t replace generally pro-housing types in Jim Cote and Barbara Brousal-Glaser.
I’d say the 16th vote has moved significantly to the left. And, I don’t see how Marc Laredo keeps the gavel. ZAP won’t get a much more progressive chair than Susan Albright. If Susan becomes president and Deb Crossley becomes chair, that might move things a little to the center. Land Use will almost assuredly get a more pro-growth chair with a new president.
Also, I don’t see how Jay Ciccone keeps the PS&T chair. With her impressive sophomore results and her copious knowledge and experience, I hope Andreae Downs gets the gig.
All I see is white faces though.
Not ideal.
Peter,
Yes.
Fignewtonville, maybe you should get a calculator
Susan Albright will be the next Council President.
Fun facts:
Seven of the top-ten at-large vote-getters were women, including the top two.
The top three ward vote-getters were women.
Don’t read too much into these numbers. A lot has to do with who was in contested races. And, wards are different sizes. But, still …
Beware of what ward 6 has brought us!
When only 25 % of the cities total registered voters came out and by and large pushed the pro development agenda /camp forward I hesitate to think what this means for the future of the “ Garden City “. My only hope is that like a pendulum, the “progressive“ mindset will have reached its extreme limits and political gravity will return the body politic to a place consistent with the preservation agendas of Right Size Newton, the Newton Villages Alliance and any other grass roots organization that might see fit to arise from the ashes.
Ward 6 seems to lead the way, voting in Alicia Bowman who wants us to “ELIMINATE SINGLE FAMILY ZONING”!!!!! Imagine That !
Wake Up Voters!!!
@Blueprintbill – labelling folks who want to develop at all costs including the appurtenant greenhouse gas emissions, congestion, and other pollution as “progressive” is as comical as those opposed to a woman’s right to choose calling themselves pro-life. i.e. It’s not funny at all.
I think we should have a “what comes next” post. I have some thoughts.
Fig-aroni,
You want to know how much I want to learn what your thoughts are? I created a post for the sole purpose of eliciting them.
Roche Brother (like the grocery store, get it):
You’ll need to wait until tonight. But I’ll post some thoughts tonight.
What Peter said!