The recount results are in: Alicia Bowman has defeated incumbent Greg Schwartz for the second Ward 6 at large seat on the Newton City Council by 29 votes.
Final official margin +29 for @aliciafornewton pic.twitter.com/DGhstV0q61
— Nathan Phillips (@nathanpboston) November 24, 2019
Congratulations Councilor-elect Alicia Bowman. The manual recount confirms the general accuracy of our voting process, though it was good to ensure that every vote was counted. Time to accept the facts and move on.
There were 2 ballots from the 2018 election randomly hiding in the bottom of one of the bags so… That’s a bit frightening.
Otherwise, a very smooth process and congratulations to Alicia, she’s going to be great.
Congratulations to Alicia and all the best for a successful term on our City Council. I was an observer for Greg Schwartz at yesterday’s recount and I want to tell you why I supported him in this year’s campaign. There were many times that Greg and I were on opposing sides of major issues in Newton, but he always treated everyone with respect and dignity whatever they were advocating. I was deeply involved in a campaign to determine if affected homeowners wanted to establish a local historic district in Newton Highlands. Greg was one of the few City Councilors to carefully read and comment on every paper and study we produced as part of a public outreach strategy. Some of Greg’s comments were supportive and others raised very legitimate concerns. We talked these issues out on at least two occasions. I sensed that Greg wanted to see a local historic district established in the Highlands, but expected buy in from affected homeowners before doing so. I don’t look for elected officials to support my position on every issue that comes down the pike, but I do expect them to treat us like adults, listen to what we say and give serious consideration to our concerns. I think Greg tried to do this.
Well said Bob. I had limited but similar interactions with Greg. He is thoughtful and a class act. I never got the sense that he had an agenda that he was pushing.
He will be missed on both the Land Use Committee and the City Council. As a supporter I am disappointed but grateful that he requested the recount
I am looking forward to working with my friend Alicia on the council.
But I did respect Greg’s thoughtfulness and inclusion of many voices in the process. I know that Alicia will also listen carefully, and I am grateful to Greg for showing those of us newer to the council how to listen with grace.
Andrea,
Is it true that you support eliminating single family zoning city-wide, or am I off on this?
(I ask because I believe Greg Schwartz was against such elimination of single family zoning and I’d want to understand what then would be IMHO the greatest significance of your defeating Greg.)
Thanks.
Sorry, I meant Alicia. (The above question was for Alicia)
Jim, I believe Alicia gave an answer at one of the debates that implied that, but I believe she clarified that she is just open to the idea, not necessarily advocating for it.
The concern I have with Alicia replacing Greg, is that she is an advocate for her agenda and Greg had no recognizable agenda.
Andrea and Alicia are both advocates for replacing automobile travel for bicycles. That is just not representative to where Newtonians are. But they (along with Sean and Chuck) are committed to showing us the error of our ways
Sadly, there will be many on the Council willing to negotiate with the Trumps of the world in hopes of installing their pro development agendas.
Witness what is about to happen with Northland, Riverside and Washington Street and the new zoning regulations to eliminate single family zoning. As someone who has called Newton home for almost 50 years I the Garden City will have seen its better days.
@blueprintbill – as far as I know there is no proposed “new zoning regulations to eliminate single family housing”. If there is, please point us to the document. If not, please refrain from scaremongering
I’d say if the Bike Newton president and Tour de Newton Chair, running on a platform including increasing transportation options and helping residents be less car dependent, unseats a respected incumbent in a city wide election… that candidate is likely to represent where Newtonians are on bicycles.
Congratulations, Alicia, on your victory!
Ben Bayes, I doubt most Newton voters thought that is what they were voting for. But that is what they got. Voters should do more homework
@Claire, @Ben Bayes – While I do know that Alicia Bowman certainly has done quite a bit to encourage both bicycling (Tour de Newton, Bike Newton) and walking (Safe Routes to Schools) she didn’t run for office as the ‘bicycle candidate’. This election wasn’t a referendum on cars vs bikes.
Jerry Reilly, I agree. I don’t think Alicia ran on an anti-car, pro-bike platform. That is Ben Baye’s characterization. I just happen to know that is a perspective she shares with Andrea. And I don’t think the average Newtonian is aware of that
Jerry,
I certainly would agree with you, Alicia is much more than a single issue candidate.
I wouldn’t agree Alicia’s position on creating safe options for all modes of transportation is somehow unknown to voters. Further, that position is hardly a “referendum against cars”. Bike lanes and pedestrian safety improvements are not car bans.
Let’s watch to see how often Andrea and Alicia ride their bicycles to City Council meetings. Or any other city officials chanting anti car / pro bicycle solutions to the pro development agendas they would advocate for .
Jerry,
Because there has been some discussion on eliminating single family zoning throughout Newton which I believe may have been attributed to these two winning City Council candidates, can they at least now pledge they will never seek or advocate for that so long as they serve on City Council.
Alicia, Andrea — how bout it?
.
@ Reilly, re “scaremongering” !
If there is any scaremongering going on it’s on the part of some city officials and planning department agents ( one recently departed ), promoting the revolutionary new zoning code ( OK ,.. now on hold until we get by the recent election ), which would have eliminated objective measurement in decision making, in favor of a very subjective, “ context “, rule of law.
Having some familiarity with the current zoning code, I can only conclude that to allow city officials ( including the Inspectional Services Department , as well as City Council members responsible for always granting not so ‘special permits’), to make zoning calls on a visual judgement basis would be the height of “scaremongering “ for their constituents . To even entertain the possibility of the elimination of single family zoning would be contributing greatly to this already massive irresponsibility.
Jerry,
Regarding “scaremongering”, the single biggest threat to Newton homeowners’ property values is that of weakening single family zoning through greatly liberalized special permits (allowing the skirting of that zoning).
Having said this, the insertion of an accessory apartment in larger homes SHOULD be allowed, actually encouraged through incentives — as the best means to address the affordable housing situation. Where is that legislation???
@Blueprintbill – So I take it we agree that there is no proposed “new zoning regulations to eliminate single family housing”.
@Jim Epstein- legislation to allow accessory apartments in existing homes was passed about two years ago,
@blueprintbill I often see Alicia biking around town so I wouldn’t be surprised if she is indeed biking to the council meetings. I think in regards to biking she does walk the walk so to speak.
I know that Andreae Downs regularly bikes to meetings. I usually find her bike locked out front when I go to lock mine. I’ve also hosted meetings in which Alicia showed up on a bike. FWIW, Dana Hanson, in the Mayor’s office, usually bikes as well.
Emily Norton bikes to various meetings too, I’ve seen her biking to open office hours, I don’t know about city council meetings. I have also spoken with a few councilors who carpool to meetings, depending on the night, so there is a broad attempt to reduce car-based trips.
Bizarre that some people are carrying on here as if it’s a negative to bike to city hall. Sounds like something to celebrate to me.
Jerry,
The existing accessory apartment legislation is entirely too restrictive (note the relatively few applications since enactment). As I said, legislation should actually ENCOURAGE accessory apartments through INCENTIVES, as the best means to address the affordable housing situation (rather than jamming new densely packed buildings — with apartments mostly beyond affordable — no one wants except developers and aligned city councilors).
To clarify, THAT’S the legislation I’m talking about.
Why was the mayor at the recount? To support one candidate vs. another? Did anyone ask?