John Hilliard at the Globe looks at a likely matchup between Tarik Lucas and Bryan Barash for the Ward 2 At Large City Council seat presuming that Jake Auchincloss succeeds Joe Kennedy in Congress in January.
Barash and Lucas eye Ward 2 City Council seat
by Village 14 | Sep 30, 2020 | City Council, Elections | 14 comments
Hoping that Jake steps down from his Council position shortly after the election, instead of waiting till he’s seated in Washington in January. That extra two months would provide a meaningful extension of time for the new person to serve Newton.
Tarik is a good guy and I thought I’d support him but he is too anti development for me. I guess Bryan it is for me??
MMQC Please rethink that. We need balance on the CC regarding development. We have a WAY too activist CC with an agenda that the citizens don’t support. Tarik isn’t anti-development. He is astutely and correcting pointing out that the proposed zoning “reform” will NOT lead to more affordable housing.
I will be voting for the candidate that has the best plan (and commitment) to fully re-opening the schools as soon as possible. If neither Tarik or Bryan fit this bill, I hope someone else who does decides to run.
Tarik does seem reticent so I hope someone opposes Barash
I guess Barash thinks another white, male attorney on the council is what Newton needs in this time.
I don’t know Lucas but according to that Globe link the two are pretty similar politically.
It might be nice to get some diversity on our City Council. Tarik is an honest guy who is truly invested and dedicated to Newton. I support Tarik 100%!
One thing that will be interesting is that a lot of the pro-development folks use the racism angle (i.e. density will help combat racism) but Bryan clearly can’t use that argument when running against Tarik without looking like he’s “white-splaining” something to a black man. So it should be an interesting race…
@Tim,
I don’t really think that any candidate is going to fit the bill for you because the schools are under the jurisdiction of the School Committee, not the Newton City Council. There is a separation of powers here, if you will. The overlap is where the School Committee and the Mayor prepare the budget for the schools and the City Council approves it (or theoretically not). But as far as creating a plan for the schools, that is up to the School Committee in accordance with the recommendations and requirements of the the board of education a/k/a the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education or “DESE”. The two bodies can certainly meet jointly, as they have, but the powers of any school committee in Massachusetts are established by statute by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 37 which states the following:
Section 37. The school committee in each city and town and each regional school district shall have the power to select and to terminate the superintendent, shall review and approve budgets for public education in the district, and shall establish educational goals and policies for the schools in the district consistent with the requirements of law and statewide goals and standards established by the board of education. The school committee in each city, town and regional school district may select a superintendent jointly with other school committees and the superintendent shall serve as the superintendent of all of the districts that selected him.
Who cares about separation of powers? The city lets the NPS use their buildings and they write an annual check for $250M to the NPS. That is power. The council has every right to ensure that the city’s money is being used effectively.
@Jeffrey Pontiff,
I care. I think the school committee cares, and the courts of the Commonwealth have and surely would care were it to come to litigation.
I understand your passion and frustration. I genuinely do. But there are clear lines of authority and to make progress I humbly submit that you need to speak to those in power to make change and progress. By my count, we have 2 school committee members who are mere puppets in weak disguise for NTA. Talk to them.
I seldom take issue with Paul Levy, but I believe strongly that it would be best to begin the Ward 3 campaign after the first of the year when, hopefully, there will be some clarity to the presidential and congressional races. Very, very few people in Newton will be even thinking about this local race until the turmoil in Washington shows some signs of being resolved.
We are about to begin what is, in essence, the final stages of a proposed zoning reform package that will alter the face of this city for generations to come. I’m a member of the Newton Highlands Area Council and it’s my own feeling that most Newton homeowners and residents are totally unaware this process is even taking place; others have vague feelings it’s happening, but don’t appreciate it’s proposed scope or comprehend its broad substance.
A recurring myth in American politics is that serious issues and prescriptions for major policy changes never get honestly discussed during heated political campaigns. This is patently false.
I believe a spirited campaign between Tarik Lucas and Bryan Barash after the first of the year will articulate both major and more nuanced differences as to what should be included and not included in the proposed zoning reform package. I will likely favor more of what I believe Tarik’s approach will be, but both candidates are well positioned to debate these differences, hold each other accountable and involve more citizens in the process. And the fact that this special election will likely feature just two candidates and no other contests may further bolster its capability to bring clarity, substance and visibility to zoning and other major challenges this city is certain to face in the months and years ahead.
Sorry. Ward 2, not 3.
There is a big difference between being anti-development and wanting moderate development or in other words, 3-4 story buildings versus 6 story buildings. Let’s not get confused with the semantics. I don’t think most Newtonians are anti-development but they want moderate buildings that fit into the existing neighborhoods. These sweeping generalized comments are not only false but not helpful.