This morning the Charles River Chamber hosted a Zoom based debate between mayoral candidates Ruthanne Fuller and Amy Sangiolo. Here’s the video
Mayoral debate video
by Jerry Reilly | Oct 14, 2021 | Newton | 21 comments
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So many reactions to the debate. But the most recent is the most top of mind.
In regards to Sangiolo challenging Fuller that she didn’t listen to the experts in regards to COVID 19 Fuller pointed out that there is a difference between being an “Outsider” and being the Mayor. Wow. Guess no challengers should apply. Would anyone characterize Sangiolo as an “Outsider” So dismissive. Not a good look.
I should add that, while I have never been a big fan of Greg R, I think he did a very balanced job in moderating
@MaryLee – I agree. I think did a good job and I liked his general demeanor … and especially liked his Yield sign.
Mayor fuller (40:47) “special and unique neighborhoods ”
This is code word for redlining? Ie “special and unique neighborhoods ” should be exempt from increased density?
Bugek Amy called her out on that
Marylee
How long until Sean Roche creates a post entitled “Newton Mayor suggests redlining. Video proof @ 40:47”?
@Bugek – I’m not sure what you’re getting at. Neither candidate nor apparently the general public is in support of allowing multi-family zoning across all of Newton.
If you want to call different zoning in different residential neighborhoods (i.e. the status quo) “redlining” than both candidates are guilty. I think you’re just muddying the water with a very loaded term.
Jerry
The mayor in her own words suggests that some neighborhoods should be treated differently because of their “special and unique neighborhood”
And this was in the context of increasing density around Newton.
The Mayor’s words.. not mine. Likely the same words used decades ago to justify “redlining”
I thought this was an excellent debate and that Greg did a very good job as moderator. Having only one moderator is a good thing, the questions were good and got at the major issues, and I thought both candidates had their strong moments.
Honestly, my thought as it ended was that both of these folks care greatly about Newton, they have very different styles, and that this will be a harder choice than I thought originally. I also wanted a longer debate, which isn’t a criticism, it is a complement to Greg.
Here’s my list of the neighborhoods that will qualify for Mayor Fuller’s “special and unique neighborhood”
carve out.
Chestnut Hill – Ward 7.
Anywhere near Mayor Fuller or R. Lisle Baker. The expression “a bear doesn’t soil its own bed” fits nicely/applies here.
Waban – Ward 5 –
The mere threat of parking meters in Waban destroyed the career of a long time alderwoman/realtor who has long since evaporated.
The threat of a modified halfway house sent this crowd into a lather a few years ago.
Waban boasts one of the wealthiest zip codes in the country, This part of Ward 5 votes in numbers. Always.
Multi family zoning is DOA here.
West Newton Hill – No explanation needed.
Parts of Newton Center –
Choice neighborhoods near Comm Ave, behind Temple Emmanuel down towards the CPA designated Kendrick House and neighborhoods behind the Carroll school for the blind. Most neighborhoods near the carriage path and heartbreak hill.
Ward 8 – South Newton.
Well off tax averse single family neighborhoods with few if any multifamily homes. The song will remain the same here.
I’d have to give it some more thought,
but you can count on all or most of these neighborhoods staying on the
protected species(i.e. no multi family home zoning) list here in Newton.
I hope I’m wrong, but I’m not
@Adam-
Please double check the spelling, grammar and punctuation. I was up early today so please cut me some slack.
BTW, Both candidates and Greg performed well in the debate.
All involved have given great thought to where the city is at.
I’m glad this debate is still presented,
especially with the reduced political coverage in the TAB. This debate may be one of the few vehicles where this important info is available. Thanks for continuing to provide it.
I just watched the debate. I missed the last 2-3 minutes where my YouTube feed somehow died. However, these are my impressions from the 95% that I watched.
1) Greg did do an excellent job. It’s not a surprise, but he deserves credit.
2) Those who know Amy, who receive her newsletter know how knowledgeable she is. But if you aren’t that close, the debate showed her to be just as detail oriented and wonkish as Ruthanne. Therefore, I think it helped Amy in that it’s easy to see her as equally qualified and ready.
3) In my opinion, the tv/video is more friendly to Amy than Ruthanne. Neither was a pushover. Ruthanne voters will like what they saw, the same for Amy’s. Yet for me, Ruthanne comes over like the know it all big sister who is never wrong and incapable of mistakes. Amy seemed warner to me, also smart, but in tune with advocating for people vs business and development.
4) Amy strongly pushed back on Ruthanne’s positions but I think has consciously chosen to limit personal attacks. I understand that, it’s commendable, but she’s also the underdog. Near the end of the debate in the discussion on the schools I think that Amy could have been even tougher…bringing in Ruthanne’s role in the School Committee, the Superintendent, and how the Mayor’s office can do more to lead and set standards.
5) Ruthanne views herself as a planner. I wish that Amy had found ways to weave in the siting of the Senior Center, things that clearly weren’t well handled.
Overall, I think the debate helps Amy a lot. The question is, how many will actually watch? My guess, not nearly enough.
Have not had a chance to watch the debate yet (or Greg’s we’ll complimented performance as moderator) but very much look forward to doing so tonight.
In the interim, this blog post was brought to my attention and definitely and interesting read. The writer is quite literally, the opposite twin of V14s very own Sean Roche. :-)
Enjoy….
http://blogs.harvard.edu/lamont/2021/10/15/fuller-vs-sangiolo-campaign-donations-development-questions-newton-mayoral-election/
@Matt. Do you think that anyone cares that the wealthiest people who live in Newton and make money in Newton support Ruthanne and the rest of us bums are trying to scrape up loose change to support Amy?
In reference to the blog post listed by @Matt. Clearly a one-sided view. I’d love to see how this compares to other incumbents in similar towns. But for me, the telling moment was in the bloggers closing paragraph where somehow, he used the Russo’s example as a warning as to what could happen in Newton. It is so nonsensical to me and seems to be a complete lack of understanding.
“Then there’s Russo’s just over the border in Watertown, destined to become expensive laboratories. This process will accelerate if things continue as they are in Newton City Hall and the Newton City Council.”
This has nothing to do with your argument. The Russo family bought their land decades ago, built a successful business, and retired. I would imagine many residents in Newton would love to have the opportunities Mr Russo had. Boston metro is an exceedingly popular place to live, the land use needs have changed, and Mr Russo through hard work and good fortune was able to create a legacy for himself and his extended family.
Reply
Thanks everyone for the compliments. I enjoy moderating these and am glad people appreciate the results.
But what I would have hoped for even more would be a robust discussion about what these two candidates had to say.
We hear all the time about how we spend too much time talking about personalities, the horse race, or how mean Sean is, and not on issues.
Both candidates had a LOT to say about many different issues. Anyone care to discuss that?
@Greg You can add me on to those that think you did an excellent job as moderator. The differences that I see between the two candidates is more about density and housing than anything else. Everyone wants excellent schools, improved infrastructure, more small business and more affordable housing. It comes down to those who think that Ruthanne has done enough or should’ve done more. We are lucky to have two dedicated and well qualified candidates but I think that Amy has more ideas to address the future challenges that small businesses will face and the future increasing need for affordable housing.
Halfway thru the debate, and a few intial comments:
1. Greg, your a natural at this. Well done.
2. My first comment on V14 ever was regarding Northland. So for Mayor Fuller to say it is the, “right number (number of apartments) for that area”, screams “thank goodness that’s not in my neighborhood”.
3. Where Amy is open to tax breaks to bring businesses into the City, Mayor Fuller is doubling down; tripling down on relying on Developers as a primary driver of business growh. Do Newton voters agree? We’ll see in November.
@Dave B – you’re welcome to view the blog as one sided or 20, but I found the blog interesting and explains why my FB experience is plastered with the Mayor’s ads while Amy’s online “marketing” are posts by a passionate group of supporters. And by the by… I’m not the author and it’s not my “argument” you’re referring to as it relates to Russo’s. :-)
Just finished. @AmyMahSangiolo if you’re reading this, well done!
@Matt, I believe you are referring to the question of whether Newton can depend upon the “trickle down’ approach. That was a great question and those were enlightening answers