Newtonville resident Tarik Lucas, who would be the only Black member of the City Council if he wins, announced that he’s running for the Ward 2 City Council at-large seat that is open following Jake Auchincloss’ election to Congress.
Here’s the press release:
Tarik Lucas Announces Candidacy for Ward 2 Newton City Council:
Special Election Date in Early 2021. Announces campaign with endorsement of 8 city councilors, and elected, would be the only Black member.
Newtonville resident Tarik Lucas announced his candidacy for the Newton City Council today. He is running in the special election for the Ward 2 At-Large seat to replace Jake Auchincloss who was elected to the US Congress last month. The date for the special election has not been set, but is expected to take place before April 2021.
“I am running for City Council because I love Newton and want to ensure it continues to be welcoming and affordable to people at all income levels — just as it was to me,” said Lucas. “As Newton faces significant development pressure and considers zoning changes, I want to help guide this change while maintaining what we love about “the Garden City.”
Lucas holds a BA in Business Administration from Springfield College, and works as a royalty specialist at Harvard University Press. He also serves as a youth referee for soccer and basketball. “As a referee I am trained to know the rules, to be fair, and to keep my cool when parents get heated,” he says. “I think those are good skills to have as a City Councilor!”
Having grown up in Boston and Brookline, Lucas moved to Newton in 2009, attracted, he says, to the network of village centers, to the ample parks and green spaces, and because he was able to find an apartment he could afford to rent. “There is a lot of discussion about the need for more affordable housing, but the devil is in the details,” says Lucas. “Simply rezoning the whole city to allow more market rate housing won’t help moderate income individuals like myself, or families. Low to moderate income people need housing that is actually affordable.”
Lucas says the issue of housing stability is personal for him. In 1968, his mother was evicted from her home in Lower Roxbury to make way for a highway project. When he was twelve, his family was evicted so their landlord could convert their building to luxury apartments. “I support progress, but not at the expense of the powerless,” says Lucas. “I will always listen to all sides and be a voice for the people over profit-seeking development interests.” In terms of housing solutions, Lucas says he would like to see the City partner with non-profit affordable housing developers to help create more truly affordable housing. He says he would also like to see more opportunities for homeownership, rather than the rental-only developments that are more commonly built.
Lucas believes his background as a young working professional, union member, moderate income resident and renter, and person of color, will add a valuable voice not currently represented on the Newton City Council. “At times when I have been knocking on doors to campaign in Newton, people have asked me, “Are you running for the Boston City Council?” I guess they are not expecting someone who looks like me to be running for office in Newton. I am excited to be able to offer my unique perspective and lived experience to make this great city even better.” When it comes to issues of police reform and race, Lucas says that as a Black man he has had only positive experiences with the Newton Police. But he is pleased the Newton City Council voted unanimously to create a police reform task force, and looks forward to their recommendations. “We know we can be better. We know we need a more diverse workforce – not only in the Police Department, but every city department, as well as the schools. We know we can do more to make Newton a truly welcoming city.”
Lucas said he looks forward to a vigorous citywide campaign and has already begun outreach to listen to Newton voters and make his case for why they should vote for him. His campaign has raised more than $20,000 to date. “I am pleased to already have the endorsement of eight City Councilors and numerous former Councilors, School Committee members and community leaders,” says Lucas. “But the most important endorsement will come from the voters of Newton, and I plan to work my heart out to earn their vote.”
For more information about Tarik Lucas or to volunteer, visit his website at TarikLucas.org.
So refreshing to see a candidate wanting to do good in his community – affordable housing, inclusion, diversity – with a sensible and thoughtful approach. The City Council has enough wannabe, arm chair “activitists”, willing to line the pockets of Developers, and contributing to the rising cost of housing, despite good intentions – all the while creating a greater divide in our community.
We need candidates who are willing to listen and work with their constiutents, and not TALK AT their consitiuents – engaging only with those who share their view. We need candidates for all of Newton, not just the parts that agree with them.
Kale is a wonderful vegetable, but a balanced diet is what ulitmately keeps one healthy. Your colon will thank you for it. 🙂
More diversity of ideology and a sensible perspective on the Council is a wonderful thing. Happy to see Tarik running.
I am so very pleased that Tarik is running and I will do everything in my power to help his campaign in the weeks ahead. Please carefully read his statements above. All reflect a combination of joyful and painful life experiences, a deep, thoughtful and thoroughly honest mindset that reveal a refreshing picture of how he thinks and how he acts. The old saying about “thinking outside the box” has been so overused, but in Tarik’s case it totally fits the bill. I’ll have more to say about Tarik as the campaign progresses, but I just wanted something up front to say just how thrilled I am that he is running.
I think Tarik can offer a sensible pragmatic approach in dealing with issues. Glad to see him enter the race.
Tarik wouldl add some of the balance many of us are seeking.
Also thrilled that Tarik is running. I do appreciate him calling me a couple of weeks to ask about what my concerns for the city. He truly listens and will be a great addition to the City Council.
After months, no years, of listening to Caucasian politicians, monied candidates for office, and Newton residents parrot their “deep concern” about “racial diversity,” “equal representation”, “inequality, ”the risk to “Black and Brown bodies”, and the “urgency of this moment”, the race for all the marbles has finally arrived on Newton’s door step.
Every politician, member of the Newton Democratic City Committee, and candidate for office in this city should be squirming because who you vote for and support will show all residents exactly who you are and what you stand for.
This election is where the rubber meets the road.
Game on!!
Good luck Tarik
@Newtoner. I agree the comment should be removed. It runs counter to everything Tarik stands for. Plus it’s aimed at a city councilor who cares just as much for the future of this city as I do even if we differ on what that future should look like.
@Newtoner: Done.
Can we not call out those that attempt to call out others, without seeing their own faults?
The above statements are facts. These things happened
The removal of posts that are critical of candidates and public officials is the exact reason I seldom comment on Village 14 anymore. People who choose to run for elected office should be prepared to face criticism, whether that criticism is well founded or not. Village 14 does the public no favor when it censors citizen’s freedom of speech in order to shield candidates and elected officials from harsh words. This is particularly true when V-14 censors pick and choose who they are going to be protective of, and who is fair game for the critics.
@Mike Striar: The comment in question included a reference to the sex life of an elected official. Completely inappropriate.
So as not to repeat the many thoughtful comments and observations above, I write simply to state that Tarik Lucas has my full support.
Its nice to have a “moderate” to vote for when compared to far left social justice warriors
Will vote for the person who gets stuff done for “newton residents” and not use the city as their social engineering project
@Commoner-
Here is a more appropriate post without the unnecessary sidebars:
According to the Mass Campaign Finance website, other than Emily Norton, all of the individuals you listed in your post have donated to the Bryan Barash campaign and are expected to vote for him.
Alicia Bowman
Bill Humphrey
Brenda Noel
All are currently serving on the Newton City Council.
Other city councilors who appear to be in the Barash camp, or at least donated $$ to his campaign are:
Deborah Crossley
Andreae Downs
Andrea Kelly
Susan Albright
Alison Leary
In addition, as I expected, it appears that the entire Newton Democratic City Committee, who have all donated $$ to his campaign will be voting for Bryan Barash.
A special shout out goes to Barash’s campaign treasurer, head of the NDCC and frequent V14 candidate du jour Pom Pom shaker Shawn Fitzgibbons.
Anyone with access to a computer should visit the Mass Office of Campaign finance website, crack a beer and celebrate the “urgency of this moment “ with all the former councilors, past and present school committee members including SC chair Ruth Goldman, former aldermen, Newton school activists, Lois Pines and so many more BOLD NAMERS who are all so deeply concerned about racial diversity that they are voting for the white guy. Only in Newton.
Anyone care to guess how many of these individuals have BLM lawn signs or have campaigned on platforms claiming Newton needs to be more racially diverse, inclusive and represented? How many attended peaceful protests, marched, chanted slogans, and sang off key renditions of “We shall overcome”? Probably most.
Where’s my pal Sean Roche when you need him?
I’m curious how old this candidate is because apparently it was important enough to highlight the age of another recently announced candidate…
@TheWholeTruth: Tarik Lucas did not include his age in his press release; Madeline Ranalli did. They were both copied and pasted into the post verbatim.
@paul green – hands down best (and most eye poppingly awesome) post of the day.
#FollowTheMoney
@bugek, yours too!
@Paul Green – Always enjoy your posts. You call them as you see them. A pragmatic moderate is just what we need right now. Also, I will vote for the candidate(s) committed to reducing the size of the City Council with a plan to do so.
@Paul Green – Candidate Barash has never hid the fact that his vainglorious ambition trumps the urgency of the moment to make Newton more racially diverse, inclusive and equitably represented.
Similar to his position on climate change. He’ll drive to work every day of the year whilst bloviating about the environment.
Sadly, Newton is teeming with hypocrisy.
I like both candidates for different reasons. But it will be very cringey if Bryan uses his oft-used “if you aren’t pro-development you’re racist” angle against Tarik.
While Tarik mentions his understanding of the rules, when he canvassed my home years ago he had very little understanding of how the city was funded and how development fit into that.
I hope that he’s taken the time to understand how 30 years under prop 2.5, the current zoning and development constraints (including 40B), and Newton’s antipathy to overrides combines to create the funding level and constraints we live under.
There’s a lot I’d like to see Newton do, and Mr. Lucas has good points on what he’d like to see Newton do, but without a plan to get the cash to maintain and improve our city/city services, I don’t see him getting my vote.
Tarik, Maddy and Bryan, first, thank you for running for these important positions. I appreciate your time and your efforts.
My issues are local-
do you have a vision for Watertown street-gaslight street lights and plantings to beautify Nonantum? Wider sidewalks? Outdoor dining? Have you given that neighborhood thought?
Do you have a plan for Watertown Street?
what about the rest of Newton?
what can we do to make it a more livable and beautiful city. (drive down Washington Street in Wellesley to see what I mean)
What is your vision for development? I ask this because one of the issues allegedly for the high schools remaining “remote only” was that they were “so big?” How will the schools handle an increase of students in the high school?
What is your position on the failure of NPS to have a plan to open the High Schools until this week? Would you push the school committee and the mayor to do more for the schools? What do you see as your role with regard to the NPS?
Will more development be even across the city?
What is your position on the funds used to fight BC for Webster Woods?
thank you
@Anne Alvarado-
You make some very good points. You appear to have alot of valuable experience in your field.
Would you mind sharing with V14 readers
the work that your company coUrbanize either completed or continues to do on the Newton Zoning Redesign project? A link from your company leads directly to the Newton Zoning Redesign project at the City Of Newton’s website.
Thank you.
Anne Alvarado on December 5, 2020 at 10:22 am
“While Tarik mentions his understanding of the rules, when he canvassed my home years ago he had very little understanding of how the city was funded and how development fit into that”
Years ago???
To Paul’s point, what if your company’s tie to the Newton Zoning Redesign Project?
@Claire-
Please check the thread “Two Newton Document sites” above.
CoUrbanize, Anne Alvarado’s consulting firm, was contracted by the City Of Newton to create the “visioning” plan for the Riverside Development project. Have another look at her post again with that info in mind.
If my memory is correct, coUrbanize did a single project with Newton years ago, but has done nothing since. I don’t believe that Anne worked with them then.
@Chuck-
I dont know how it is possible that Ms. Alvarado didnt work for them then. The site CoUrbanize shows a picture of Anne. A link at the site identified as “Our projects” says “Newton Zoning Redesign Project”. That link leads directly to the City of Newton Zoning,
so it appears that she did work for them then
Anne, is that really fair? He didn’t know about zoning “years” ago? Is it not possible that people can learn and change over the course of “years?”
Oh for goodness sake – that’s an online discussion page on the CoUrbanize website – it’s comments from *Newton residents* on the project, not their own staff.
Tricia is correct. Anne is not listed on the site as an employee. https://www.courbanize.com/about/ I’m sorry I didn’t check that earlier.
Paul. This is the point where you apologize for being wrong and accusing someone of ill intent.
From Barash website: “…racial injustice … has created the most compelling call for racial equity in a generation. It is a historical crisis.”
His way to address the racial inequity: 23 white people on the city council.
Peter Kay
What has been the historic make up of the city council? Would Tarik be the first African American council member?
Personally, I don’t agree with identity politics but it is important to have diverse views on the council. A white person can claim to understand the concerns of African Americans but its simply not the same as living through it. Period
Tarik would be the first African American *Councilor*. There was at least one African American Alderman, Matthew Jefferson, but I think that was awhile ago. More knowledgeable Newton historians can fill us in.
I believe Tarik would be a good addition to the City Council from Ward 2. If Scott Lennon runs from Ward 1, Newton gains two pragmatic moderates that will serve the City well. Emily is correct it has been a number of years since a person of color has served on the Council.
Same question for Mr. Lucas as the other candidates – would you have signed the letter from City Council to the School Committee re: school re-opening? Thanks.
There seems to be a lot of chatter about Scott Lennon running in Ward 1. Has anyone actually talked to him to see if he is interested? I would think that if he wanted to return to City politics, he would have been commenting and more visible recently. To me, his silence speaks volumes.
One of the mods should give this its own thread, but John Oliver is running for the Ward 1 seat. Saw it on Twitter just now.
@George good tip. https://twitter.com/Oliver4Newton
Apparently a neighbor of the Ranalli family? The plot thickens…
@george and @jeremy. Yes they are neighbors…
@Amy
I am very pleased that during the pandemic, the City moved to allow outdoor dining in areas it previously had not been allowed, such as parking lots. Especially while we are in the pandemic and we have seen multiple local restaurants close, we need to do everything we can to support those that remain.
Many residents I have spoken with are concerned with the loss of our tree canopy, which is under attack from invasive species, drought, gas leaks, and storms, as well as natural aging. Several years ago a contractor for the T cut down hundreds of trees that abut the south side of Washington street and while the City has replaced some, it is not enough. In fact, the Washington Street Vision Plan calls for expanded tree canopy along the roadway.
Many people are concerned that with the planned developments as well as potential for new market rate housing in the zoning redesign, that our school age population could rise quickly in the coming years. This is one of the many reasons I think I will be a valuable voice on the City Council, as I will be driven by pragmatism and common sense. If we are approving developments that will increase our school population, we must plan ahead to have sufficient space and staffing to give all our students an excellent education.
As someone who moved from Boston to Brookline at a young age so that my siblings and I could receive a better education, I sympathize with the families that are not satisfied with the status quo. I would push the SC to open our schools safely. The schools are the lifeblood of Newton.
I believe development will be even across the city. The city’s planning department will look at Village Centers in 2021 in zoning redesign.
I supported the preservation of Webster Woods, and I hope that we can similarly support more investment in access to nature in all areas of our city, particularly those with more asphalt.
@Tim
Thank you for your question. Yes, I would have signed the letter. The current status of our school system is unacceptable.