It wasn’t long ago that these newsletters were the exception and not the rule. I don’t know who was first, but I personally credit Jake Auchincloss for setting a high standard, and using his newsletters to inform and educate on any number of issues. His newsletters were often wonkish, but even where I disagreed he was thoughtful and presented hard data.
In the past couple of weeks, a new batch of newsletters has hit our inboxes. I’ve received several, probably because our Councilors share email distribution lists. I’ve been struck by how similar they all are. They talk about the gun store, zoning, the new police chief…. In my view what you don’t see are surveys of what’s going on in a given ward….construction updates, traffic detour issues, business updates. Also, there are different styles about taking a stand. Emily Norton produces a more detailed letter and isn’t afraid to state her views. In my opinion Marc Laredo is a highly effective Councilor, but his newsletters are sometimes so cautious that it’s hard to tell what he thinks or his newsletter’s purpose beyond just keeping his name out there. Everyone uses their newsletters to fundraise.
I always try to remember that our Councilors are essentially volunteers (minor stipends and healthcare benefits eligibility). They put in many hours. Yet these newsletters are a chance to solicit views, update and inform, and educate. In the absence of a full-fledged newspaper they can fill an information gap. They can counter the Mayor’s email newsletter where she often spins information that could really benefit from a critical discussion. They can also show which of our Councilors view themselves as true representatives, vs. someone who works issues of personal interest regardless of whether or not these resonate with their Ward and City voters.
In your view, who does the best newsletter? Why is it the best? Should it be the expectation that every City Counselor does one?
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Mike: Amy Sangiolo is the finest, directing our attention to all the pertinent info in meetings to come at City Hall. Not opinion, but info. Jake’s isn’t bad, but does highlight his role with Congress. Can’t blame him, but he needs to raise a lot more than the locals. As a Councilor, he couldn’t match Amy who fills a horrible void.
I find Amy’s Monday morning newsletters extremely informative. I don’t really feel the need to read any of the other ones
Amy Sangiolo continues to be a leader in the city of Newton. Her weekly community newsletter is far and away the most detailed and best I have ever seen. If you want to know what is going on in the city, you should sign up to receive it. In fact, I think that the city of Newton should hire her to write a newsletter and do community outreach for the city.
Could someone please share a link to sign up for Amy’s newsletter?
From Amy’s newsletter
Kindly forward this to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested. If someone forwarded this to you, you may click here to subscribe. You can find all previous issues at amysangiolo.com.
The click through to subscribe didn’t carry over. The email address launching the weekly newsletter is [email protected]. I suspect that just dropping a message to that address with your email address will work.
To subscribe to Amy’s newsletter:
https://wix.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2152c3c9ec8dd57637c4308d9&id=2447c1c992
I just looked, too. Amy’s website is excellent and filled with useful information about City meeting agendas, etc. I don’t know her, but it’s especially impressive given that she must do this out of her own interest and concern for the City. She puts more effort into this than many of our current Counsel members.
@Michael Slater: Amy was a long-time city councilor who threw her hat into the ring to run for mayor 4 years ago. When she didn’t garner enough votes in the primary she supported Scott Lennon’s candidacy. Amy has continued to write her weekly newsletter even though she no longer sits on the city council. Amy, a lawyer, now works for MA Attorney General Maura Healey. Many have been trying to convince Amy to run for mayor again this November.
I would love to see Amy run again.
Thanks for the links.
I’d also love to see a Mayoral contest as we have many issues that would benefit from a true debate. I think it’s challenging to find willing candidates because of what they need to leave/give up vs. the low compensation our Mayor receives and the not so great job security. That said, Amy looks like she’d be a fine choice, and an interesting contrast to Mayor Fuller.
Run, Amy, run!!! Best newsletter around and you can tell that her heart is truly in the city.
@Michael Slater, the mayor’s salary is $155,000@ year. Hardly low compensation
@Claire, I believe you, but when did it go up? It had been $90K/year. There’s still a problem that people who work in the for profit sector in their day jobs need to forfeit accumulated stock options, potential bonuses, retirement fund matching. I think this is a major reason that holds people back from running, and leaves us with business owners, many attorneys, or those with other means of support as the only ones most willing to take half a year off to run an effective campaign.
@MS Here is my source:
https://newton.wickedlocal.com/news/20191008/newton-councilors-ok-raises-for-themselves-mayor
It is VERY true that the stipend for City Council Member doesn’t begin to compensate for the hours worked
Couldn’t agree more about Amy! There’s no hidden agenda. No pet causes. She simply loves this city and selflessly gives of her time to make it a better place for everyone. Have been a fan of Amy’s 4 years ago when she ran, and would be the first in line to support her if she threw her name into the hat now.
Read the scope and depth of Amy’s newsletter and you will get more than just a hint as to why so many of us eagerly backed her mayoral campaign a few years back. Being first out of the gate with a highly accessible newsletter, however, gave Amy a leg up over other Councilors because she could lay claim to almost the entire scope of city government activities and affairs. There wasn’t much sense for other councilors to simply copy what was already available from Amy. That said, however, the newsletters from other councilors fill in important details on specific items of concern and I thank them for the thought and effort they put into this whether or not I agree with their specific policy positions. It’s all good.
Thanks for the shout-out folks! My newsletters were never meant to compete with any newsletters sent out by city councilors. Unlike other newsletters, my newsletters are not meant to influence or to provide my opinion on the many issues facing our City – (although I do have a lot of opinions that I am happy to share on a different platform!) .
When I originally created this newsletter and website, my goal was to provide the residents of Newton a resource – to learn about the issues our local government is working on – which is why it includes not just the work of the Council, but also the work of our Boards and Commissions. I try to provide links not only to the agendas but also to the supporting documents/packets and materials that those elected and appointed officials are also reviewing in making their decisions.
I believe that local government and the decision-making process must be transparent and accessible. Happy to do my part to keep Newton residents engaged and informed.
What a marvelous contribution to the community!