Save Nonantum is at it again.
First, Commissioner of Inspectional Services John Lojeck made a comment about Spanish-speaking workers in last week’s Program and Services Committee that has no place in public or private discourse. The mayor should review the incident and take appropriate action.
Second, Save Nonantum has cynically spread lies connecting city councilors to Commissioner Lojeck’s comments.
SN is circulating an email with a laundry list of unsubstantiated grievances and smears, including a clip of Commissioner Lojeck from last week’s Program and Services Committee meeting (and no link to the full video) with the allegation:
The same city councilors that are working to silence us, are not only attacking the Save Nonantum committee, they are also attacking our entire immigrant working class community, including the non profit organizations that make up the very fabric of our community. They continue to make false claims, ironically call us racist, use unconscionable ethnic slurs, make disparaging remarks about immigrants, and use ugly ethnic stereotypes to attempt to publicly and privately demean and marginalize the members of our community.
Their evidence?
Just this week a member of the City Council Leadership suggested “landscapers don’t speak English very well.” This resulted in Newton’s Inspectional Services Department head clarifying the city’s thoughts on immigrant workers.
A 10-second video clip of the city’s Director of Inspectional Services followed.
For far too long Newton’s working class immigrant community have been treated poorly with condescension and contempt by these so called leaders.
We at Village 14 are here to provide the omitted context and set the record straight.
For starters, here’s a link to the full video, so you can see for yourselves.
Here’s the specific context for the Save Nonantum clip, what immediately preceded and followed. The part included in the Save Nonantum clip is shown in bold.
Starting at about 1:12:55, Councilor Alison Leary expresses her enthusiasm for the hiring of a new code enforcement officer to step up enforcement of the leaf-blower ordinance. At about 1:13:20, she says:
I also wanted to ask if your new code enforcement officer would be bilingual, since so many of our leaf operators often speak only Spanish or don’t speak English very well. So, my question is: is he bilingual? Will he be handing out information? And, will you use registration stickers as a way to track violators?
To which Commissioner of Inspectional Services John Lojeck replied:
Well, I don’t know whether he’s bilingual or not. I doubt it. He’s a much older gentleman. And, you know, I mean, we find that even in our construction end that most of the people operating claim not to speak any English. Only don’t speak any English because they don’t want to be addressed about a violation.
Which prompted this exchange between City Councilor Brenda Noel, acting chair of the meeting, and Commissioner Lojeck.
Noel: Commissioner Lojeck, I’m going to ask you to be a little more thoughtful about those kind of comments.
Lojeck: Well we, the fact of the matter, …
Noel: That’s your opinion. Let’s move on.
Lojeck: … we witness it. All the time.
Here’s a link to the excerpt cued to the exchange. (I will continue to try to embed a clip of the excerpt directly.)
The whole exchange lasted about a minute, but pretty clearly doesn’t track with Save Nonantum’s allegation. Unquestionably, Commissioner Lojeck’s statement is objectionable. But, SN’s selective editing omits the parts that make it clear SN’s attempt to pin this on city councilors is completely baseless.
Far from demeaning immigrants, Councilor Leary asked a reasonable question about how prepared the city was to communicate in Spanish with landscapers who are generally known to speak Spanish. If there’s anything demeaning about, it’s how Save Nonantum considers it a slur to think someone speaks Spanish. I’ve never heard anyone consider the provision of bi- or multi-lingual services an insult. Exactly the opposite.
Most tellingly, SN’s selective editing omits the most damning evidence that they are just trying to whip up resentment with the clip. Councilor Noel immediately and unequivocally calling Commissioner Lojeck out doesn’t quite fit SN’s narrative that councilors “attempt to publicly and privately demean and marginalize the members of our community.” So they didn’t include it in the clip.
Taking a step back from the line-by-line exegesis, SN’s manipulative editing of this incident demonstrates just how cynical and baseless their unsourced, unspecific smears against unnamed councilors are. They don’t even attempt to give evidence. They don’t sign the letter. And, they don’t identify themselves on their web site.
This is ugly, ugly stuff.
Every councilor and candidate that Save Nonantum supports, particularly John Oliver and Tarik Lucas, who doesn’t unconditionally condemn Save Nonantum is complicit.
Despicable
If those extremely serious accusations were true and they cared about their community as much as they claim then they should be naming names and presenting specific evidence. How else could the supposed perpetrators ever be held accountable otherwise.
Instead once again it’s “some unnamed elected officials did horrible things but we cant publicly tell you the details. Trust us, they hate you”.
This group’s and its tactics are a destructive force in Newton. They are bent on fostering division, manipulating the electorate and convincing people that they are surrounded by invisible enemies.
One Newton…. I like to think that I am the eternal optimist, a half full guy looking for the best in everyone, always looking to the middle to bring people together. I try to think that people always have the best of intentions. Call me naive. I like to think I’m optomistic. I believe and strive for one Newton, but the ugliness of this election season has got me down.
I am compelled to comment because how can I leave the dinner table reading the SN letter to my wife, after receiving several messages from friends saying, what is this, you are part of the leadership of the Council and it is saying things about you that make no sense.
Sean and I don’t agree on everything, but respectful debate and listening to each other is what we do. This is one time that I can agree fully that he got his analysis of this letter and the meeting about leaf blowers dead on correct. In a nut shell, Councilor Leary asked a good question about the whether or not the enforcement/information officer is bilingual. It actually was Councilor Leary’s sensitivity to the job, which is mostly giving communication and information to landscapers. Commissioner Lojek’s response should never have been said and we can leave it at that (for another time). The SN letter pinned a terrible lie that Leadership of the council do not care about immigrants and I guess they are linking that to not supporting Nonantum and all immigrants in Newton? There has never been evidence of such a thing. Getting rid of the Festa? Getting rid of the Italian flag colors lining the streets? Bold face lies. Not one City Councilor can be traced to any such thing. Every one of us cherishes Newton’s history and fabric that makes us who we are as a community.
Community….When I was a young boy my father Mike, an Alderman at the time, would take me on the weekends to the Lake where we would sit in a coffee shop with Fat Pellegrini, Mayor Ted Mann and any other Alderman who wished to join (Dick McGrath, Bob Antonellis, Syd Small, etc.). I would listen to them talk city issues, talk about what Nonantum needed, about fundraising for the kids and about police and fire issues. It’s where my love for serving the city began and it’s a thread I often think about. I would go to the Festa every year as well as so many other events in Nonantum. When I opened my company I moved my office to West Newton in 1993, and then for the past 16 years I have worked every day on Crafts Street. I’m a guy who lives on the south side but has spent all my days on the north side. I support our Police and Fire Departments as we all should, financially and with gratitude for their service, putting their lives out there for ours. I voted for my friend Scott Lennon and I take council from everyone’s friend, Terry Sauro. I speak of this to give context to why I’m saddened and offended at what is being smeared at me and the rest of the council. Every councilor has their own story and connection to all corners or Newton.
The tactics of fear and lying in this election just may work…. a sad reality. Many of us who have cringed on the sideline have not spoken up early enough to put down these tactics. Often it’s because you just can’t believe that people could believe such things about people who give of their time to serve their community. You also don’t want to give credence to falsehoods in an effort not to forward them in any way. I think the rules that have changed for the worse and the lack of boundaries and decency in national politics have become fair game right here in Newton. I was hoping it would not invade the Newton I grew up in.
How can we get back on track? how do we stop with the fear tactics and nasty false accusations. How do we come together for the best of Nonantum and all of our 13 villages? How do we not let the free for all, the anything is fair game in our political discourse take root and instead speak honestly and find common ground? How do we get back to that coffee shop and talk of one Newton. I’m half full, optimistic and will never stop trying. I hope everyone will do the same.
One last thought. The pandemic and the lack of connectedness has made it much easier to not think of another’s feelings or perspective. A face on a zoom call or posting adds on social media are easy when the other person is not staring at you in the same room. I’m hoping that when we all get back into life in complete post pandemic time we will be more inclined to treat each other with the respect we all deserve.
Thank you Councilor Lipof.
Thank you, Rick, for your incredibly insightful post and your service to the city. You said it all and you said it beautifully.
SN’s primary claim in this matter is guilt by association. How is this any different?
“Every councilor and candidate that Save Nonantum supports, particularly John Oliver and Tarik Lucas, who doesn’t unconditionally condemn Save Nonantum is complicit.”
You were making a good case until that last, irresistible dinger, Sean.
SN is a community scorned, from the elimination of Columbus Day to the leaf blower ban; the result of some very squeak wheels who supposedly also supports Newton’s progressive values: equity, inclusion, welcoming, diversity. Since Covid, I have been working exclusively from home. Are leaf blowers annoying – absolutely. But the ban is the textbook definition of NIMBY, and probably affects the bottom line of more in the North side than South.
And why is Councilor Leary a constant target? Perhaps it’s because she’s Nonantum’s Councilor? Disagree with SN’s tactics if you wish, but is anyone surprised given then circumstances?
Councilor Lipof, you know I’m a fan! Your comment is sincere and clearly from the heart, but stops short what ultimately need to be done – that coffee shop sit down with SN leadership as your dad would have done back in the day. They’re not some secret association hiding in the shadows. They’re our neighbors, fellow Newtonians and I’m sure most of the City Council know who they are. If anyone can mend the fence Rick, it’s you!
SN is not running for public office, these councilors are. It’s a pretty common part of American public life for politicians running for office to be asked about the behavior of their supporters. Not out of bounds at all in my opinion.
Also, bans or restrictions on leaf blowers are nowhere mentioned in this article about NIMBY-ism in Wikipedia. So not “textbook definition” at all.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NIMBY
Thank you Councilor Noel for being the adult in the room. It takes courage to stand up to those who are ignorant. Thank you.
@garrymiller I agree. We should be hearing from following
Oliver, Lucas, Norton, Wright, Riffe, Gordon, Malakie, Berman and Levy condemning this attack.
as well as from the current city council who are endorsing these candidates. Kalis, Grossman, Laredo, Baker etc
You are judged by the company that you keep.
@ Progessive. Under that theory can we expect solid answers from all of the candidates on the Danberg slate to answer to the appropriateness of accepting sizable donations from developers that have local projects on the table?
@Matt:
I have not stopped short of what needs to be done. I reached out to Fran Yerardi from Save Nonantum. We talked and have pledged to continue to work on things. It’s all been by phone but a coffee sit down is in the cards. Nonatum is hurting and I get it, all the changes that feel like attacks. But the tactics and the false statements muddle the present, but that doesn’t mean the future can’t be more productive. In politics and leadership you must have a capacity to understand and forgive in an effort to work with together one things that we all can get behind.
And how do I know Fran? In the 90’s we would take our kids to their favorite restaurant, Yerardi’s done the Lake! I got to meet Fran and his wife and it was one of our regular places. There was something about that salad dressing I still miss. Fran….let’s meet for coffee. Our conversation continues.
I’d personally be happy with responses from the candidates to all these various controversies. Do I expect them? No.
Sorry for the typos….should have proof checked.
Thank you for taking the time to speak up here, Councilor Lipof.
As for the last sentence of the post, I’m not going to pronounce anyone “complicit” myself, but I would also be more comfortable hearing these folks address the matter directly.
Commissioner Lojeck is right. Not speaking, or falsely claiming you don’t speak, the language is absolutely no excuse for breaking the law. This is so obvious, I’m embarrassed, but feel forced, to state it.
@Alex . The commissioners mistake was saying ” we witness it. All the time.”
My mother was a holocaust refugee who came her as a 14 year old not speaking English. Yes there are some people who live here that don’t speak English and calling them out like that is wrong for a country that is made of immigrants.
Maybe he didn’t mean it the way he said it.
Councilor Lipof thank you for your efforts. We need more people getting together talking and working together. There is so much divisiveness going on in City politics. The Councilors need to stop being so focused on achieving their own objectives that they aren’t willing to listen to others from different perspectives. I hate the throwing around of the term nimby. Newton is made up diverse areas and sometimes people who live in a particular area have a better insight on the nuances of an area but often if they express them they are disparaged for their views. I can comment on the impacts of traffic and Needham St and Route 9 as I live it everyday. It is much more productive to listen to each other and try to find some common ground. I do not condone Save Nonatums tactics but I think Councilor Lipof has the right approach. Sometimes people just want to be heard. There tends to be a tone in Newton of if you don’t agree with me then the discussion is shut down.
@Rick Lipof
The specifics on the discourse Sean highlighted are disappointing and wrong. I wholeheartedly agree with your optimistic view on working together as a more unified group. But its worth highlighting the strong imbalance between the North and South sides of the city that lead to this dynamic. In the past few years:
— Changes to zoning to allow new developments disproportionately above the pike, and efforts to make zoning more equitable across the city are DOA.
— Austin St in Newtonville is held up as the perfect spot for development, as a parking lot, yet Newton Centre with better MBTA access and a parking lot is ignored.
— Multiple developments in Newtonville pushed through despite broad, vocal opposition yet Engine 6 in Waban was killed behind closed doors with zero discussion on the rationale or willingness to continue dialogue
— Zervas somehow jumping the line on school renovations with little-to-no public discussion (and done after the overrides, IIRC), despite the State scoring Cabot as one of the worst facilities in the state.
— Leaf blower ban with disproportionate impact on Nonantum
— Lack of parking meter in Waban village (small, but there is no good reason, and its not equitable)
Others can chime in with more.
Unlike you Rick, I’m not a long, long-timer in Newton, its been a decade-plus for me. When I first heard about the North-South split as a newbie, I instinctively thought it was paranoid and couldn’t be true. I’ve been continually stunned by what looks like unfair treatment between the two sides of the City.
None of this excuses dishonesty and overheated rhetoric. But as City Councilor, its worth thinking hard about the context that you have helped create that led to these circumstances. We need to do a lot better than we have about treating everyone equitably in Newton. Respectfully, the City Council isn’t doing nearly a good enough job.
The question isn’t whether there are residents in Nonantum who feel that their voices are not being heard or their needs not met. We have elections to determine whether residents are pleased or displeased with their elected officials. People can advocate for whomever they like. Free speech, right.
The focus of this conversation is on the tactics that Save Nonantum uses, which have, to the detriment of democracy, been proven effective not only here but across the country. By throwing out innuendos, vague accusations, and outright lies, people are forced to respond and defend themselves. We cannot tolerate this. As we see nationally, these tactics are tearing the country apart and will have the same effect in Newton of an “Us vs. Them” mentality. No one claims that politics is a clean sport, but what SN is doing takes it to a whole new and unacceptable level.
I appreciate your calm response, Councilor Lipof. However, members of Save Nonantum know exactly what they are doing and what they hope to achieve by stating these ridiculous accusations.
@ Alec
An excellent history of where development can affect those on a neighborhood and personal level. Too much to unpack but the history you lay out is part of the narrative that can divide if the assumption is that your leaders are doing this by design. I can see that the outcome really is all that matters, but as an elected official, to jump to the thought that we care more about one area the another is hard to take, especially when most of these developments have been passed unanimously or close to, by councilors who represent every neighborhood in the city. I will say that much of development is opportunity and for some parts of the city there is no opportunity for multi-family and for other parts there are under utilized areas where it makes more sense.
Take ward 8 where I live. We have no public transportation, no access to the T. We have little commercial development except at the edges where we do have Needham Street and a piece of Route 9, but most is just residential. To say that the south side taking 1,000 units at Northland is not substantial is missing the largest development in the City which effects Wards 5 and 8. In Ward 8 we do not have the vast opportunity for the same development as Washington street which has the Pike on one side and access to the train. To say we put larger scale development just on the north side is not true and to say it is by design is not true either. People complain about tear downs. Did you know that the vast majority of the 100-140 tear-downs a year (that is the number which may surprise you how low it is) are all in Ward 8? And please look at the ongoing special permits we are granting. 25 units in Waban, 25 units in Newton Highlands, and lets not forget the 80 units on Lagrange Street in my neighborhood (all numbers rounded). We are finding areas where units make sense but some areas have more potential, and it’s nothing personal or some grand scheme but your elected officials to give more to one area. It’s just where the opportunity is. Some want us to bubble wrap Newton and leave things be. We can’t stop evolving but we can do it incrementally with buy in from all. That is what we try to do. However, I am not blind to how every petition for greater density effects us all.
Cabot has been renovated beautifully and Lincoln Eliot will be too. Every school needs work and we are working through all the needs and are proud of the renovations. To attach prioritization to favoring one area over another is not accurate and the complexities of funding schools goes way beyond that kind of accusation.
I thank you Alec for your thoughtful response.
Alec, I agree with you that there is a sense of North vs. South that may have spurred this kind of tactic on. But speaking of a West Newton Northsider myself….
I’m in no way of a fan of “whataboutisms”. There’s great value in understanding people’s motivations. That doesn’t excuse reactive actions.
Ultimately, as Councilor Lipof says, we need to listen. But as he also says, we need to be able to hear. That’s best done between trusted friends, and I appreciate his stepping in here.
And we need to be accurate. There’s a lot going on in the city, and it’s hard to keep track of it all and understand it. To help people do that and make the best decisions we can, we really need to try to all be honest, albeit opinionated, brokers.
So, from your list, here’s what I know (or believe I know).
“Changes to zoning”: no significant changes to zoning have happened yet, north side or anywhere. Washington St went through a zoning vision process, but that was in reaction to a private developer proposing their own vision and buying up property. Just last night there was talk lamenting that this vision hasn’t come to anything. So the problem isn’t new zoning, it’s that the old zoning is really inadequate to address the issues the city, and critically Washington Street, is facing. It’s really a case where doing nothing does NOT preserve the status quo.
Austin St. Again, not a fan of whataboutism. We need to both look at individual sites and also not provide favoritism. And we need to look at it FAIRLY as one city, not just sections, wards, and villages. Honestly, I think Austin Street is a positive addition for both the neighborhood and the square, as is the Walnut St work (though I with there were bike lanes). I respect others differ.
Developments in Newtonville. Again, the lack of zoning that establishes some sort of collective vision of the community has led to a piecemeal special permitting process. Yes there was opposition to these developments. There was also support. We need to find a way to get beyond the two sides of things. We also need to be able to look back. Now that they exist, how many of the concerns about Austin St and Trio came to fruition? How many haven’t? What can we learn? Can it inform our future decisions? Will our fear of doing the wrong thing or our inability to reach consensus just leave us powerless to shape the future?
Zervas, and Angier, and Cabot. Our school is Franklin. Enough said. But, you do have to start somewhere, and I understand there was some logic in figuring out which new schools could take the most from their overcrowded neighbors. And Cabot’s done now. Horace Mann’s still a work in progress, and that was kind of a big oops I don’t really understand. Franklin isn’t, and my kids will never see it completed. I can be mad, or I can celebrate the great education they’ve gotten in spite of the limitations of the building. At least the city fixed the flooding and climate control in the kindergarten wing!
Leaf blower ban. You say Nonantum, I live in the epicenter of landscapers in West Newton, so they are my neighbors and the parents of my kid’s classmates. But it’s the same thing. Disproportional impact now means $50 per landscaping company per year, compliant leaf blowers (65dB?), and following the law about when you can and can’t use them. The law’s been in place for four years. I would have hoped that leaf blowers, with their finite life, would have been replaced with quieter compliant ones by now at little extra expense. But I’m no expert. The calendar restrictions do limit how landscapers do their work. Is there really no way we could have come more into compliance? I see landscapers completely flaunting the law. It’s not my hill to die on, but I do in general believe we should to follow the law and have laws we are following. My landscaper uses all electric, but it’s harder for his crew with battery chargers so it isn’t yet the answer for everyone. (His maintenance costs are really low!)
Ultimately, well meaning people should be able to a discussion like this without talking about discrimination. I like my neighbors, and I love talking with my Spanish speaking neighbor who works on a landscaping crew. Are we really never going to get past the fact that, at the end of the day, many of them think the law is stupid? We have to get back to the fact that this a disagreement about a law, not a social statement.
No parking meters in Waban: we should have a uniform parking meter policy. Love to hear anyone make the case why not. People don’t like feeding meters, and things are better with the app (especially with the coin shortage!). Without meters, though, people tie up parking spaces that businesses might need.
We could have a good conversation about this stuff if we could sit around and learn from each other. We’ve got to get to the point that we trust each other’s good will though, and respect each other at least enough to not roll our eyes at each other. And every conversation and every action we take makes that easier or harder. (Which is why I spend way too much time choosing the words I write, BTW.)
This Save Nonantum video isn’t just a venting of frustration, it is an attempt at a short term knock out political win. It gets us further from a better city, which some of us really want.
@alec In response to “Zervas somehow jumping the line on school renovations with little-to-no public discussion (and done after the overrides, IIRC), despite the State scoring Cabot as one of the worst facilities in the state.”
We should praise the Warren administration for completing an extensive evaluation of all the public buildings and yes Cabot and Angier were pretty bad. But as you said you have only been here 10 years, maybe you missed the very public process both at School Committee, City Council and of course with all the work to get the override passed that included debt exclusion overirdes for each of the 3 schools, Angier, Cabot and Zervas. Angier went first and was done as an MSBA project. MSBA would not approve a second Newton project back to back, so Zervas went second. Cabot third. One advantage of Zervas getting done next is it gave the flexibility to level out school populations relieving pressure on Mason-Rice and Countryside because the new Zervas is now much bigger. Another advantage is the planning process for Cabot was more complicated given the historic school. The extra time to think and plan for that was very helpful.
@Alec – The issues you mention are all worth taking about and Rick Lipoff and Mike Halle have both responded above.
I’ll point out though that none of those issues are mentioned on Saving Nonantum’s web site or in their emails so I’m not sure what bearing they have on this discussion.
Councilor Jim Cote requested that I post this comment on his behalf.
“It has recently come to my attention that the political committee Save Nonantum has endorsed my campaign for Ward 3 City Council. Echoing the comments of my good friend and supporter, City Council Vice President Rick Lipof, the residents of Nonantum have always been my closest friends and allies. My background mirrors the many residents, and I value and understand their culture and traditions so necessary to make our city a living body.
Formerly as a City Councilor, I was the leader in ensuring a fair hearing on leaf blowers and never waivered in my support, and then in 2019 I was the Councilor that saved the Nonantum traditions from being removed. I did not seek an endorsement from them, and until today I was not aware that I was on their website. I only sought the support of the residents of West Newton and Nonantum.
I have already asked SN to take my name off of their website, and encourage the other endorsed candidate to do the same. The city needs, and we should all support groups that support unity in Newton. Electing Jim Cote puts Nonatum’s best friend back on the Council”
“…and then in 2019 I was the Councilor that saved the Nonantum traditions from being removed” What traditions ? Saved from whom? How did you “save” them?
Wasn’t there a flag that was removed
from a fire station in/near Nonantum
after a complaint by an anonymous,
unidentified citizen?
I may be wrong or remembering this
incorrectly, but didn’t Mayor Fuller have the flag removed after the complaint?
If so, this wouldn’t this be one specific
reason the Nonantum community feels put out or disrespected?
Unfortunately everyone ends up getting smeared when they run for office. It happened to me when I ran,
by my next door neighbors no less, who are ardent Alicia Bowman supporters, BTW.
Things can get pretty oily and dirty
when you run for office, so I think both sides cancel each other out. There are no saints on either side sadly.
The former alderman/former citizen
from Waban that I ran against smugly told me that “politics ain’t beanbag”, and she was/is right. It’s about the only issue I agreed with her on.
@PeterBloy-
Back again so soon?
For someone who is an “infrequent visitor to this blog” you’re spending an awful lot of time here
“I can see that the outcome really is all that matters, but as an elected official, to jump to the thought that we care more about one area the another is hard to take”
Councilor Lipof,
As someone who has lived in Newtonville now for over 30 years, I can definitely tell you that is the perception of many of the residents here, including myself and my wife.
And as Steve Jobs once said, “perception IS reality”.
Yes we feel that we are getting the lions share of development ( and really we only have the commuter rail, (which is important if you can climb the stairs) but clearly green line communities like, oh for instance Chestnut Hill, are just as transportation friendly. Yes we feel that we aren’t heard and are ignored.
I’m not endorsing anything Save Nonatum says or does. But, the fact that there is a “North of the pike ” divide is pretty obvious. And many of us are pretty fed up with it.
I want to take a moment to thank Sean for posting and initiating this meaningful discussion. I fully support VP Lipof’s comments and embrace the idea of discussion, understanding, and active listening. I want to be clear that I did not seek the SN endorsement and ask that my name be removed from their list. I will continue to work to help represent all of Newton, including those associated with SN, listen to concerns from all of our residents, and spend time in all neighborhoods to understand concerns. I initially ran for office as someone who wanted to help my fellow Newtonians be heard irrespective of where they live, what their background was, what gender, race, religion, sexual orientation they were. I will continue to do so and hopefully help bring all of us closer together.
Thank you to the councilors and candidates who have, thus far, asked Save Nonantum to remove their names from the PAC’s endorsement list. If there are other councilors and candidates who do not agree with the tactics of SN, I hope they will have the courage to do the same.
@Rick Lipof @ Alicia Bowman
Appreciate you both taking the time to respond, and in the spirit of opening dialogue, I’ll add a bit more.
I have lived in Newton since the beginning of this school process. I have followed it very closely, living in the Cabot district, knowing the conditions of the school, and desperate for the urgency for things to change. I waited several years for this actual process to get started– that gives you a bit more clarity on my time in Newton.
Many of our schools are in a physical state that is not what we aspire for our kids, no doubt. But at the time, as you may know, MSBA had two schools in Newton– Cabot and Angier– scored as the lowest tier in the state. That score signified that these two schools were in the worst 100 schools (by physical condition) in the state. People may have other opinions, but those were the professionally-driven, neutrally-derived facts on the table.
Alicia is correct in saying that by law only one MSBA project could go at a time. IIRC while the overrides were presented in a public forum with initial plans in place as Alicia noted, the timing of the renovations was not part of that process. (Its possible that the timeline was revealed right before the override vote, but honestly remember that the timeline was revealed several months afterwards beyond Angier going first). The justification for Angier going first was that it was in the worst shape of all, even though the MSBA scores of Cabot were slightly worse. I understood the thinking that state assessors only get so close to the situation, and there were good faith arguments why Angier was more pressing. But I was stunned when I learned that Zervas would be built before Cabot. I learned more about the rationale, assuming good faith again. The justification– that Zervas would not delay Cabot’s timeline at all when you factored in the full planning and construction process– was clearly unrealistic at the time (which bore out with Cabot opening 1-2 years later than those initial timelines) and I didn’t believe it. More importantly, it was hard to believe that if the roles were reversed, people living in wealthier Angier would have been given the same transparently unrealistic rationale. This justification also required timelines to not overlap at all, meaning NO planning for Cabot takes place until Angier would be completely done. The presumption that ALL planning for Cabot required access to MSBA funds is clearly not true, and the subsequent tortuous planning process that ultimately delayed Cabot even further was testament to the fact that it should have started earlier. In short, I was angry at the time for what ultimately turned out to be Cabot getting delayed by several years. (Fig, no need to chime in that our Ward reps were responsible for some of these delays, the process should have started sooner regardless, Zervas was always going to cause delays to Cabot.)
There are always reasons why things happen for one reason or another, and its rarely because people are devious at heart. But the urgency and concern isn’t the same between the wealthier parts of the city and less well-off. Mayor Warren shutting down the Engine 6 project with no due process, no explanation would NEVER happen in certain parts of the city. That was about money and power and influence. Its easy to see how zoning benefits from that same money and power and influence.
There are no good reasons why Newton Centre shouldn’t have its parking lot developed like Austin St. There are no good reasons why parking in Waban Village is different than other villages.
If you truly want things to move forward, there needs to be acknowledgement of unequal outcomes- if not the treatment– in Newton. If you don’t acknowledge that Engine 6– not the outcome– but the process- was sketchy and due to power and influence, its hard to be trusting. We all make mistakes. But there is little acknowledgement by those in political roles that this unevenness is real.
PS To the others. None of this excuses dishonesty. But this reality is the underlying context for distrust of Newton government in parts of the city. You can’t just tell people to work together, when there is ample history that government is unequal in Newton.
I’m very heartened to see councilors Rick Lipof, Jim Cote, and David Kalis taking a public stand. The easier course would have been to keep their heads down. The fact that they didn’t speaks volumes about their character.
Thank you councilors
I can’t get past the fact that you are all focusing on a community group when there is clearly a bigger issue going on here at city hall. Lipof, Cote, Bowman, Kalis, and every councilor on that meeting, why in god’s name has there been no PUBLIC denouncing of Lojacks racist and ignorant comments? Why are you sweeping this under the rug?? I also listened to the meeting and heard on there a couple issues there. First if you listen closely Alison Leary catches herself when she makes an off handed comment about the landscapers, she starts to say “ least important” but quickly catches herself. Secondly Johnathan Yeo said that they city will be out and about SURVEILLING landscapers, and Lojack mentioned that if they refuse to allow them to be searched they’ll be atomically premised guilty and fined????? Somethings wrong here and it’s not Save Nonantum. I expect more from our elected officials and demand that each and every one of them denounce the despicable ignorance coming from city hall.
@progressivenewton – you mentioned “as well as from the current city council who are endorsing these candidates. Kalis, Grossman, Laredo, Baker etc”
I don’t know why you’d post this comment. I have not endorsed any group of candidates so just want to be clear with readers that this is inaccurate.
@DavidKalis-
Thanks for your service.
We are fortunate to have you in our
neck of the woods. My friends’ mom
who is a neighbor of yours speaks highly of you. I vote for you irregardless of any slate affiliations.
Always.
@DavidK/Jimcote-
Unfortunately when it comes to politics
you don’t always get to chose your bedmate.
I had the same complicated experience when I ran years ago for very specific
targeted reasons:
1) Our local elementary was an overcrowded dump – it may not be overcrowded anymore – it will be- when Northland is finished, despite what anyone is telling you. It is still
a frequently flooded, substandard
faculty almost 20 years later. There are many political voices in the mix
now. Voices that have the time, energy, money and influence to
insure their voices are heard.
The local school will remain the same.
2) Our neighborhood park was a neglected shameful mess. That would
be the Highlands Playground.
Thanks to John Rice that is no longer the case, We appreciate you John.
Despite these heartfelt, my opponent would say “earnest” concerns,
i was smeared because i ended up on
a slate sponsored by the Newton
Taxpayers association.
Here’s a provincial nugget for you
@PeterBloy: the Newton Taxpayers
Association and all it’s slate members were sold as pre-Trump anti tax zealots. “You people want to starve the schools”, is what a thoughtful Harvard educated neighbor told me.
Not true then. Not true now.
I was unrecruited, had a few small
donations and had a great time, but it gave me a view of our city’s’ politics that I hadn’t been expecting, Great learning experience. I havent forgotten the people that showed me their worst sides, and I won’t. Some of them still live here in Newton and I see them everyday. Awkward.
I’ll give Rick Lipof the benefit of the doubt. He graduated a year behind
me at NSHS, his sister Cheryl graduated a year ahead of me, and socialized with friends of mine,
and his brother Phil is a talented journalist. Phil and I spent time talking outside the Philadelphia convention
center. Lovely guy.
My guess is the slate endorsed by
a group called it’s about education,
that ran against the NTA candidates and endorsed my opponent
contained the name Rick Lipof.
I hope not, but I wouldnt bet against it.
Rick was/is in the real estate business. My opponent was a realtor. Birds of a feather…
Enough “provincial nuggets” for you
@PeterBloy? 🙂
Alec wilson,
The outcome of this election will determine whether your concerns will be heard and acted upon. The last few years have made this abundantly clear.
Afterall, our concerns are just imaginary, how dare we speak up. (“We” does not refer to SN)
Alec, you called me out in advance, but I actually agree with most of your post. (We can agree to disagree on the Ward Councilor part, but I wouldn’t have mentioned it if you hadn’t done so. Let’s not go down that path).
I’ll bring up another example: The Philip Neri 40B site in Waban. It was supposed to be a 48 unit complex, it got downsized to 8 townhomes after the city pushed back and said it had met the 1.5% test on 40Bs. Rather than fight, the developer retooled the project. I doubt the end result would have been the same on the north side.
Just because I’ve supported development on the north side doesn’t mean I don’t recognize that a disconnect exists. It isn’t all the time, and I think some of it is situational (the Pike and Washington Street provide a lot of large lots with easy access to train/highway/bus).
One of the reasons I pushed for Newtonville’s improvements was because of this. If we were going to have some of the burden of these newer developments, we should get the benefit too. I don’t think it is an accident that Newtonville, West Newton and Newton Corner have all had various improvements made to their village centers, with varying degrees of success.
We can discuss all of that, and debate all of that, but none of it is an excuse for Save Nonantum’s behavior. And several posters above (not you) are making classic whataboutisms, to excuse the behavior.
And that’s a shame, because SN has now lied repeatedly about the issues they discuss, and they have done a disservice to everyone pushing for more equitable treatment across the city. After reading their email and their website, I’m not even sure what they really want to accomplish, except electing folks that agree with them more than the folks currently in office. And because it is clear they have lied, they have hurt the candidates they are advocating for as well, by putting them in the difficult position of deciding whether to condemn the behavior in question.
I’m glad that the video evidence has been posted. The best thing we can all do as a community is vote and refute the belief that this type of behavior wins elections.
A few other points:
1) Am I correct that Kevin Riffe, Ward councilor candidate for Ward 1, was a founding member of Save Nonantum? Is Mr. Riffe still involved with Save Nonantum?
2) My recollection is that a few city councilors and candidates in the special election stepped up to defend Save Nonantum’s behavior. I’d appreciate hearing from them now. John Oliver, Tarik Lucas, Emily Norton. (am I missing anyone else?). I’m not asking for you to step up like several of your colleagues have done. But I’d appreciate your thoughts and views about Save Nonantum now.
3) Some of this seems to be less about Nonantum and more about landscaping companies upset about regulations for leaf blowers enacted by the city. The leaf blower regulations aren’t designed to hurt Nonantum or the north side, but they do impact private businesses. I would encourage our city council to put in place enforcement mechanisms that clearly put all landscaping businesses in the city on equal footing with clear rules and punishments for non-compliance, including the enforcement officer mentioned in the videos. I don’t believe in rewarding bad behavior, doing anything less would do so.
@ Paul Green.
You mentioned the Flag in the Firehouse situation. I was not happy with it being removed and I was the only elected official who showed up at the rally in support. I actually was one of the speakers. Just to clarify where I stood on that issue. I forgot we went to South together and I’m glad you got a chance to meet the youngest Lipof, Phil!
Thanks to all who are contributing to this thread. It’s informative and productive.
Rick,
It pains me to have to address this issue once again with you, but I am growing tired of this political theater. I don’t speak much, but I feel since this is the forum you chose to speak to us on I need to reply here. The issues that have been affecting our community, Santa, Painting of the lines & Festa, I had personally reached out to you and explained to you that they were true. You didn’t want to hear it. For you to write that piece today was all about political theater, and to use my family name to try to make yourself feel good is truly sad. My father respected your father. If he were alive today my father would tell you to stay off Village 14 if you are looking to get elected as Mayor.
Our community has quietly gone along hoping city leadership would do right by us, instead our voice is ignored and we are marginalized. When we hear our current ward 1 councilor attacking hard working immigrants trying to make a living, it is disturbing to us
Absent true leadership, the community needs to step up and step in, that’s what needs to happen in our neighborhood and beyond. You had a chance at the zoom meeting last week to denounce the ignorant remarks and the mistreatment of our landscapers. You along with many other city officials to my disbelief remain silent.
Looking forward to you ending the political theater and actually coming to the neighborhood for a coffee.
Respectfully,
Anthony Pellegrini Jr
Figgy,
Why aren’t you calling on City Councilors to denounce the despicable ignorant comments made by city hall?
Again, I’m truly baffled that we are blowing past city leadership allowing this???
*Jim Cote
i just threw your yard sign
and t-shirt on your porch
you where to put them!!!!!!
rizz
Mr. Pelligrini,
Many of us are not familiar with the issues you’ve raised. Can you please inform us on the details?
What specifically is going on related to “Santa, Painting of the lines & Festa”? What are the problems and who is responsible?
Thank you.
thats you know where to put them
V14 is lit today!
My home is in Newtonville but sits on the Nonantum border. My children’s best friends lived in the Lake. I have always admired the strong family connections and community loyalty of the Nonantum people.
As I see this election unfold I am so pleased to see the Lake stand up against the special interests of Newton’s gov’t juggernaut. Congratulations for coming out strong in the last election election for both Oliver and Lucas. The entire north side needs this kind of voting to break the hold of the south side.
Do elect Kevin Riffe we need his voice on the council, Julia Malakie too. Defeat the incumbents in Ward 6. They do not give a hoot about Nonantum. Bravo to all the people in the Lake who have been exploited especially via ever increasing taxes and now know enough is enough. Let’s vote out the power imbalance on the south side. Too bad Scott Lennon failed to represent his community better against Ruth Anne. That was a big disappointment!
@ Anthony
You and I have had a nice relationship. We had a great talk when you took me on a tour during the Festa this year. Our fathers were good friends and that is why I say to you, please tell me which City Councilors want to take away Santa, the painted lines and the Festa. I will personally denounce them and they will hear from me. Tell us all. These three things are celebrated by everyone. I am being factual and sincere when I say that I have never heard anyone in city government, or for that matter anyone in this city speaking ill of any of those wonderful traditions. You and I are the next generation and we need to work together. Please tell us who said such awful things. Out them now!
And as for denouncing the comment about Landscapers, The Chair Brenda Noel jumped right in and scolded Mr. Lojek for his comments. This was a Department head that was speaking for himself and he was quickly alerted that his words were not welcomed. Watch the video. The letter put out attributed disparaging of landscapers and jumped to the City council denegrating all immigrants. That’s what that letter implied and it’s wrong. Everyone should watch the video that has been posted here and read the commentary and you will see that, in real time the Councilor in charge reacted to an employee of the City and it was dealt with. If you think that is not enough, then take it up with the Mayor’s office regarding Mr. Lojek but do not put this on the City Council. Anthony….We can do so much more together. I’ll meet you for coffee anytime.
Progressive Newton is currently a loose association of individuals who are members of Progressive Massachusetts. We have not had an active steering committee since the beginning of 2020 and our webpage is woefully out of date.
No one is authorized to be posting comments as Progressive Newton.
Alison D:
City Hall? You mean Commissioner Lojeck? Watch the video. Councilor Leary objected right away.
I’m first generation. English was not my father’s first language. Having a bilingual enforcement officer makes sense. If multiple languages are in question, the city should prepare pamphlets about the violations, document them, and then fine the companies involved.
Landscapers are not a protected class of business in Newton. I appreciate they work hard and their employees work hard. Let’s make the rules clear, the enforcement clear, and let’s enforce the laws.
And if words of the Commissioner are what is at issue, say that, instead of lying about the actions of the city council.
Susan, thank you. Would the poster who is using the name “progressive newton” consider changing his/her/their handle to “progressive newtonite” or some other name? This is the third time this has come up and it is confusing folks that you are speaking for the organization.
@fignewtonville – I’ve just contacted them and made that request
Another important point about Councilor Leary’s comments, she leads with education and reaching out, not punishment. Just around 1:12:55 she says: “With the new code enforcement officer who will be reaching out to landscapers — proactively — I think is really important. I hope the they will be able to also give out information.” In her brief comments, she talks about violations, for sure. But, I think it’s a fair read to say that Councilor Leary’s question about the officer speaking Spanish is as much about the officer being able to inform landscapers as it is about punishing them, and probably more.
Wow! Brenda Noel, Sean Roche, and Rick Lipof hit back-to-back-to-back home runs against Save Nonantum. Cool beans.
Wow, great conversations. Totally impressed with my councilors Lipof and Kalis…nice jobs.
I think the one thing we can all agree on is that there are people in this city that feel marginalized. Everyone should agree with that. I remember in my day, I felt marginalized…people do. The solution isnt to argue with one another its to work with one another to come up with a solution. I dont agree with going backwards to the “good ole days” its to move forward to the new and improved days.
Maybe the city can work with Village 14 and have a councilor report on an issue like this per week, maube the councilor can answer some questions. Each councilor would have to do that twice per year, seems doable. I think part of our problem is that there are too many people that dont know the issues.
If, as fignewtonville mentioned (above), City Council candidate Kevin Riffe was a founding member of Save Nonantum I would hope he would wade in here and let the voters know what he thinks of Saving Nonantum’s recent tactics.
Wow, you guys have been busy!!
@RickLipof – glad to hear your sitting down with Fran. Best thing I’ve heard all day. Thank you!
Hi Jerry:
From news articles from Save Nonantum’s initial launch, Kevin Riffe is quoted as being Save Nonantum’s treasurer. SN used to have a list of founding members on their website, but they removed that at some point.
I really wish we had a community newspaper that could highlight connections like this.
Kevin Riffe was listed as the founding treasurer when the PAC was first formed. https://www.ocpf.us/Filers?q=81050. It would be helpful for Mr. Riffe to let voters know what he thinks of the tactics. As one of the founders of SN, though, I assume he agrees with how they operate.
On Save Nonantum’s website, Kevin Riffe, candidate for Ward 1 ward councilor, is identified in a press article as “treasurer of Save Nonantum.”
Wow, this website clearly has an agenda; it is not partial to Save Nonantum. My opinion is that SN is doing a great job with saving traditions that have made Nonantum what it is today. No other part of Newton is so welcoming to anyone as is Nonantum. As a Nonantum resident for the last 58 years, the traditions are what make Nonantum great! Kevin Riffe is the most qualified and the best choice by far for Ward 1! Common-sense leadership will rule in Nonantum again soon; Maria will lose big on Tuesday! Hopefully Allison, too.
“We at Village 14 are here to provide the omitted context and set the record straight.”
I didn’t know V14 took editorial opinions and/or that Sean was the official voice of V14?
@Jim – it’s a blog. There’s plenty of opinion. Sean’s not the “official voice”. He’s the voice of Sean.
Kudos to my colleagues Rick Lipof and David Kalis for their beautifully said words, which I wholeheartedly agree with.
@ProgressiveNewton (the commenter, not the group) – I want to be clear that I have not endorsed any of the candidates you listed in your comment above. Also, I have not been endorsed by SN, nor have I sought their endorsement.
In this next term, and as we move past the pandemic, I look forward to more opportunities to see you all in person, spend time in every neighborhood, understand one another other more deeply, and find areas of commonality and compromise. In my heart, I believe everyone who participates in the political process in Newton does so with a true desire to do good for our community. On the Council, and in our community conversations, I hope we can remember that, and treat one other kindly, respectfully, and decently.
@Jimmy Sbordone
I couldn’t agree with you more. The post isn’t about the wonderful attributes of the Nonantum residents or the value of Nonantum’s traditions. It’s about the dishonest and divisive political tactics of Save Nonantum in elections.
They have leveled extremely serious charges against unnamed elected officials both now, in the week before an election, as well as in the week before the special election earlier in the year. Both times they never publicly say who they are accusing, or offer any evidence to back up the accusations.
As Councilor Lipof said in earlier comment if there’s any truth to these accusations about our elected official, Save Nonantum should name names and provide evidence. If there’s any truth to the accusation, Councilor Lipof promised ” I will personally denounce them and they will hear from me.”. Councilor Lipof wouldn’t be alone. Countless other Nonantum loving neighbors would be outraged and be right behind him … including me.
Six months and two election after this all started Save Nonantum hasn’t publicly produced a shred of evidence to show that these accusations are true. The one piece of evidence they did offer was the highly edited and misrepresented video in the email this week. The un-edited video shows exactly the opposite of what they said – i.e. a City Councilor calling out a city employee about making inappropriate comments about immigrants.
As you can see by watching the unedited video above, there’s zero evidence of any our elected officials doing anything remotely against Nonantum.
There’s nothing pro-Nonantum about trying to convince the citizens of Nonantum that everyone around them is plotting against them. Its a cheap and cynical political tactic and completely the opposite of the character of Nonantum.
So lets keep the long traditions of Nonantum alive for the next 100 years but lets not let this sleazy political tactic become a new tradition in elections.
I have lived in Nonantum all my life. I am proud of who we are and will stand by my traditions and love for my neighborhood. For these council candidates and current elected officials, who want to denounce Save Nonantum, you should be ashamed of yourself. We have real issues in our community. Instead of sitting down and listening to us, you continuously bash us. All your negative, shameful, arrogant comments I find quite frankly impulsive. My nephew Tony Gentile-says it all.
Fact 1-The councilors on the board are quite divided and it is so evident by their comments with each other and the way they vote. I have been watching numerous council meetings and can’t believe my eyes. Is this really what our city has come to?
Fact 2-My house burned down as it was a three alarm fire on January 22, 2019. That horrific night the fire hydrants in our neighborhood were broken, frozen, etc. I requested a public safety meeting to find out why and it took 2 1/2 years to have this meeting.
Fact 3-Chuck Proia, Society Festival Chairman, has explained that there are those in this city that want to end our festival. He shouldn’t have to provide proof to any of you, but when he did you attacked him. Chuck and the Society do a lot of good for this City-shame on ALL of you!
Fact 4-Columbus Day public meeting. The fact of the matter is the comments that night from that board were discriminating and hateful. For instance after being called “white supremacist, bigots, being told to by a councilor to get over it and move on.” It happened-listen to that public meeting. Where we upset about eliminating Columbus Day from Newton-yes. Let us not forget it is still a Federal Holiday regardless of what Newton voted in and out.
Fact 5-Is simply the mere fact that the landscapers were being discriminated against for what they do. Having bilingual employees based on the stereotype that just because they are landscapers they don’t speak English, and to have bright orange long stickers on their truck showing they are registered is repulsive. Having a snow blower or a 240 Unit development being built alongside a neighborhood comes with far more noise levels, dust, fuel from the trucks being idol and flowing into the environment is far more damaging than leaf blowers cleaning a yard.
Lastly we have the first two marijuana facilities on Washington Street within a mile of each other and the possibilities of two delivery services in our community. Our residents didn’t don’t want this along with an additional large developments in our neighborhood.
I am Nonantum. I will always be there to protect and preserve our traditions. If you would like to meet with the Pac or myself set up a meeting. The City is divided which saddens me as it shouldn’t be North Side versus South Side. Instead of calling the PAC “Save Nonantum” it should be renamed “Nonantum Strong.” I urge you to vote on November 2nd as I will vote to vote some of you out!
@ricklipof I am shocked at your statement that SN has told “bold faced lies”. As a founding member of Save Nonantum, our priority is ensuring the citizens of Ward 1’s voices are heard.
SN was successful in the special election held in March. We turned our residents out in record numbers AND the candidates we endorsed won.
With regard to the Festa, SN was asked for proof of attempts to cancel it. Proof was provided-we were called liars.
The leaf blower meeting was disrespectful to the landscape company owners and their workers. I am disappointed that you don’t see that.
Some of the issues that brought SN together:
Preserving Our traditions. Santa and the Festa to name a few.
Our schools. Horace Mann and Lincoln Eliot have had the largest class sizes in this city for 20 years. When HM was finally moved to Carr, the school had inadequate resources. Parents had to publicly shame city officials to make it right. Lincoln Eliot construction was scheduled to begin 4 years ago.
The rat population In our neighborhood has been substantially increasing for the past 4 years. We have had public meetings and promises. We want action.
Our residents are concerned by efforts to defund the police and the fact that our redline flag was ordered to be taken down in our neighborhood fire station.
Save Nonantum is pro resident. We endorse candidates that consider local issues and concerns a priority.
My hope is on Tuesday Ward 1’s numbers increase to higher levels and our endorsed candidates see victory.
We need more coffee shop meetings and less social media posts. Social media posts are unproductive and divisive. I thought you were better than that.
as a mom of an asthmatic and close ally of all parents of asthmatic kids – leaf blowing is a proven factor of particle distribution to lungs of children- factor in that especially vulnerable kids are walking to school when the leaf blowing is taking place – please take the health of our kids and each other into consideration – the noise is the additional issue when we are all working from home.
Lisa,
For those of us who have not seen evidence that city councilors threatened the Festa and other traditions, can you share it here, or a link to it?
@ Sean https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=save%20nonantum%20pac
These link to statements about leaf blowers recently published by the Wall Street Journal and New York Times:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/heres-why-leaf-blowers-are-evil-incarnate-11633613005?st=2dyaki0z8qn266j&reflink=article_email_share
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/25/opinion/leaf-blowers-california-emissions.html?smid=em-share
@Lisa- The link is broken. Could you tell us which city councilors have said that they want too get rid of Santa and Festa? Was this at a a city council or committee meeting? For those of us who were not part of this conversation, it would really go a long way toward understanding your point of view if we knew specific details.
@Lisa:
There is no proof at the link you provided. I see the one letter shared over and over but that is just a cranky neighbor and is not evidence of a coordinated effort. Can you please provide specific evidence that there is such an effort to threaten the Festa and other traditions? Specifically, you mention “Santa.” Can you please provide more clarity about that?
Also, SN has stated that members of the city government are working to stop the painting Italian flag colors and stop the Festa. Can you please provide the name(s) of these councilors, so we can all respond with our voices and votes?
Thanks in advance, I look forward to you providing specific evidence and the name(s).
Lisa,
The only specifics I see on the SN Facebook page:
* Mention of Councilor Leary’s comment, full addressed above
* Candidates retweeting a tweet that dismisses the SN assertion that people are trying to take away Santa
* An email from Vicki Danberg forwarding an SN attack ad to the Globe
There is no evidence of city councilors threatening Nonantum traditions or any of the other unsubstantiated allegations that are all over the Facebook page, the web site, and in this conversation.
What am I missing?
Ben, Bruce, and Jerry you are wrong and see what you want to see. Jerry I am so surprised at you as I know you well. We haven’t connected in awhile but we do know each other. Why didn’t you pick up the phone and we could have had a conversation. Instead you and these men are attacking SN no matter what we show you. This is my last comment but remember we are NONANTUM Strong. We had a large turnout in our last election and hopefully it will be far greater this time.
When I went to vote this morning, there was a hand written cheat sheet left on the ballot table.
May I say when I looked at the list, I was shocked as it said please vote for above. I immediately took it to the voter warden, stated that she should check these stations, ripped the paper and handed it to her. Is this the way you are getting your votes?
When you tell 1/2 the story, you tell 1/2 the truth. Noel vindicated:
“Councilor Noel immediately and unequivocally calling Commissioner Lojeck out doesn’t quite fit SN’s narrative that councilors “attempt to publicly and privately demean and marginalize the members of our community.” So they didn’t include it in the clip.”
@Terry Sauro – I didn’t know you were involved. I will give you a call. Its been way too long.
Jerry- If you you talk to Terry- please try to get specific details on the city councilors threatening Santa and Festa. I sincerely would like too know.
Jerry- Given that Lisa and Terry are both refusing to respond to my simple request (*not* an attack), I would also appreciate some clarification and proof. Also would really like to know which city councilors have said they want to get rid of these traditions. I’m still unclear why they refuse to post publicly, I would prefer to hear it straight from folks who run SN (and are doubtless reading these comments). If the proof is so ironclad then surely it can be shared here.
Has anyone reliable actually seen an unredacted copy of that email Chuck Proia waves around? With as much as SN lies I could totally believe that’s a fake threat sent by one of their own.
I’ve been hesitant to comment here but I feel like I need to voice another opinion. I’m the daughter of the festival chairman, and in my opinion no one truly understand the affects or sees how many threats the society truly gets. I’ve seen and heard plenty of threats throughout the years to my dad personally (some to the point he had to go and get a restraining order) and to the festival. The festival and my dad does everything they can to “keep the peace” and be courteous to the neighbors during the festival. My father has so much care for our community and for the city as a whole and it really pains me to see everyone claiming that what he’s shown is not proof enough. The email shared is proof enough as to why they feel the way they feel. As we have seen with other things in the city and the country all it takes is one threat for things to be taken away or changed. All the city councilors can say now they love the festival and support it but that can change. I’m exhausted seeing everyone have so much nastiness towards our community. Nonantum is one of the best and most welcoming places in the city with some of the best traditions. Some of your neighbors are afraid of their traditions being taken away, instead telling them they have no right to feel the way they feel, put your self in their shoes. The way everyone here has responded as shown me and many in our community that the fears are correct and we do need to worry. I welcome everyone to come down and have a conversation we would be happy to have you.
@Maria:
Look, we are all here simply asking for more evidence. We are all eager to hear which candidate or sitting councilor wants to stop the Festa (and apparently stop Santa?). Any large scale event has folks that disagree with it. I’m glad your father is following the appropriate course and getting the police involved when needed, but this 100% does not justify the fear campaign that SN is enacting. Please let us know the answers to our questions and provide the proof we have asked for, over and over. Surely you have it, given your clear conviction. And no, one redacted email is not proof of a coordinated campaign backed by city councilors. It is proof of a single grumpy neighbor.
I look forward to hearing from you with the proof and evidence (including names) we asked for. I don’t want to speak to anyone on the phone, I would like to see folks post this publicly and for all residents to see.
After all of the ginned up outrage about “disrespect of immigrants” in that SN mailer, that one of the SN members over on Facebook (goes by the handle “Rick Ess”) just said to me, and I quote, “go back from where you came. You fraud. You just want to be seen and heard. You’re irrelevant”
Go back from where you came! Unbelievable.
In the 1970’s I served 4 years on the Bd of Ald & 6 years as State Rep. Nonantum was in the heart of my district. I walked the streets ringing door bells, I visited in their home, I talked to great number of the residents.
I learned the history of Nonantum. From my memory and experiences, I would say the concerns of those supporting Save Nonantum are based on actual experiences. The discrimination they complain about actually existed. Their fears of loss are real.
Rather than the usual Village 14 attack mode used against anyone who disagrees it would be better to pledge to help Nonantum, listen to their complaints, help try to solve them.
They know the troubles new immigrants have, not through books and lectures but from family experience.
They have a big investment in Newton, not in money but in sweat equity because they provided the work force that staffed our police, fire and public works departments. Newton would not have the traditions of excellent public service were it not for them and their families.
They have first hand experience of having difficulties with the english language; with being disparaged because of it.
Nonantum is and has been a multicultural community for over 100 years.
We could all learn from the Nonantum Community experience about integrating into American life.
I appreciate the comments of the councilors who have so thoughtfully engaged in this discussion and had the courage to stand up for the truth. To others who still choose to remain silent, the silence is deafening.
@Peter, Thank you for your comments and sharing your experiences.
However, I would ask that you reread the comments. Several people on this thread have asked for the evidence of this supposed coordinated attempt against Nonantum.
We are not attacking them. We are not disparaging them for being immigrants or for speaking another language. Most of us are the children/grandchildren of immigrants, or immigrants themselves. Many of us experienced firsthand discrimination or heard about it our family history – and are not from Nonantum. And all of us have integrated into American life, so I think it’s a bit odd that you are holding up this one neighborhood as being the exemplar from which we all should learn. We can all learn from each other.
All we ask for is evidence of their claims – which members of city government are trying to stop the Festival? Which members are trying to get rid of Sant? Which members are trying to get rid of the street colors?
Each time we ask, we are ignored or simply told that the evidence has already been provided – which is untrue (or if it true, then it should just be produced once more). A few sitting city councilors are even on this thread asking for names so they can hold them accountable – and SN have yet to provide any.
All I personally am asking for is the solid proof of members of the city government trying to get rid of their traditions. All the city council meetings are recorded. Many of them have newsletters or active twitter/FB accounts. Surely this evidence should be easy to produce. So it begs the question: why haven’t they?
Does dumping density onto the schools of Nonantum still considered a “perceived” threat?
Several hundred units will come online in the next 2 years. A disproportionate amount for a 2 miles radius around the neighborhood
Not a single pro housing councilor has committed to thousands of affordable high density units in their OWN ward.
Perception is reality
Bugek,
I completely agree that housing projects and city resources need to be divided much more equitably. However, that wasn’t what I asked about. I asked for specific evidence of their claims regarding the Festa, Santa, and the street lines. No proof has been presented. If they want to fight for more equitable housing policy, I’ll gladly join them. I’ll wait on the evidence of their other claims. In those cases, perception is not reality.
@Ben… I need to call you out for this comment “And all of us have integrated into American life, so I think it’s a bit odd that you are holding up this one neighborhood as being the exemplar from which we all should learn.”
This is the type of anti immigrant language that I’m used to hearing from our last President. Just because some communities blend into American culture faster than others, doesn’t make them any better or worse.
There are lessons in civility and diplomacy that you could learn from people like Mr Harrington if you were open minded.
@Ben G
You mention “we” several times. Who is in the group “we”?
@Jackson Joe
I hit return to fast. But I am glad I did – you nailed it.
Peter Harrington, hasn’t Councilor Lipof tried to do exactly what you’ve asked?
@Jackson Joe:
My apologies for the perceived lack of clarity. All I meant was that everyone in Newton has integrated into American life however they see fit, and however works best for them. There is no one way to “integrate” or be an American, and for anyone to insinuate or outwardly state that any neighborhood, person, city, etc is somehow better in this respect is wrong. Mr. Harrington’s comment made it sound like he thought that Nonantum was somehow better at integrating. I welcome his clarification as well. I also take issue with you accusing me of anti-immigrant or Trump-like rhetoric. If anything, it was the opposite.
I hope my clarification will prove helpful.
@Simon, By “we” I simply mean the folks here (on this thread) that want to see proof. There are several other commenters here waiting. There is no organized group. Just a bunch of Newton residents and blog readers, patiently waiting for SN to provide this evidence. (Although I was tempted to make a joke about “the royal ‘we’”!)
bugek,
“Not a single pro housing councilor has committed to thousands of affordable high density units in their own ward.”
While that is technically true, it is only because “thousands” of units have not been in front of the Council in any single ward. However Deborah Crossley DID support 800 units in her own ward, in part, to promote the development of 140 permanently affordable units.
@Ben
This is no court. If it was presumption of innocence would be a start. A little respect would go a long way. It appears to me your fellow bloggers just want to inflame the issue and call Save Nonantum a bunch of liars for your own political goals.
@Simon,
See above. I didn’t call them liars. I asked for proof. There’s a very big difference.
Here’s the low-down on Save Nonantum: the “threats” that they claim – to the Fiesta, to the street line and hydrant painting, to Santa – are all utterly unsubstantiated. Since before March, 2021, Save Nonantum has been broadcasting these claims, along with a stock list of excuses for not providing evidence (“You’re attacking us;” “We already provided evidence…”).
So, Save Nonatum came up with a piece of evidence: an email, sent to the Fiesta organizers (only), complaining that they wanted the festival to end.
However, the email was dated July, 2021.
So, Save Nonantum claims in March, 2021 that the Fiesta is threatened. The evidence they provide is an email composed four months -after- the threat is supposed to have been made.
This is why the Save Nonantum supporters won’t provide evidence. None exists.
This leads to the conclusion that if no evidence exists, then the complaints that Save Nonatum claims are threats, also do not exist.
So, why is Save Nonantum so vocal and trying so hard to raise money?
Columbus Day. They truly perceive Columbus as some sort of ethnic hero. As our nation struggles to reconcile with our past, and Columbus is recognized as a problem instead of a hero, the folks of Save Nonantum grow more agitated.
To them, a critical discussion of Columbus is an attack on Nonantum.
To them, a critical discussion of Columbus is a personal attack on someone who identifies as having Italian heritage.
Save Nonatum’s logic is as follows: “An criticism of Columbus is an attack against Columbus. An attack against Columbus is an attack against Americans of Italian heritage. An attack against Americans of Italian heritage is racism.”
That single piece of utterly flawed logic is the foundation of Save Nonantum. To twist things so tight that they can claim to be victims of racism.
Now we can see the perverse logic behind their evolved positions, such as trying to paint Councilor Leary as a racist, and trying to create the context that the city is selectively targeting people and neighborhoods because of their ethnic characteristics.
@Ben Gardner: Always nice to hear from another Ben. It was especially nice to see that you seem to be correct- SN is unable to produce evidence, even when asked by The Boston Globe:
“ As far as I’ve been able to tell, though, none of the candidates on the ballot next week have actually called their constituents racists. In a recent Facebook post, Save Nonantum PAC, which was formed after the Columbus Day controversy to defend Italian American heritage in the Nonantum neighborhood, said unnamed city councilors “ironically call us racist,” but when I asked the group for the names of the councilors who had insulted them in that way, a leader of the group, Fran Yerardi sent me examples of supporters of candidates who he says have called the group racist, and said that another councilor was present at a meeting where the group was called racist — a far cry from the “same city councilors that are working to silence us” saying it themselves, which is what the group’s Facebook post claimed.”
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/10/29/opinion/fear-loathing-course-zoning-newton/
Also interesting to see some familiar faces defending the PAC’s lies. Some of the same faces I saw speaking out loudly against passing the Welcoming City ordinance to protect immigrants in Newton.
Bryan thanks for bringing this up, Wasn’t current city council candidate for ward 3, Jim Cote, one of the people who was adamantly against the Welcoming City ordinance, I remember seeing something about him advocating against the Welcoming City ordinance. Do you know anything about this?
Ben Gardner, great catch on those dates and good analysis. But I think there’s a deeper reason for them doing what they’re doing and it’s important to surface it.
I got into an extended argument this week with some SN folks on Facebook in the wake of that email, in a group called “Newton Civic Action Forum”. A few of the SN participants made it quite explicitly clear that their victimization plays are an intentional ploy by this conservative group to browbeat more liberal people–citizens as well as folks in city government.
Bottom line is that they are on the losing end of a variety of issues in the city and don’t have the political power to win arguments on their merits. So they’re taking a page out of the GOP playbook and turning to culture war as a way to mess with the political playing field. They smear elected officials whose positions they don’t like with trumped up (sic) claims, they divert attention from actual issues by stirring up controversy elsewhere (Steve Bannon’s “flooding the zone with sh*t” tactic), they try desperately to fend off criticism and accountability by claiming persecuted minority status.
I mean, really–all this ridiculous divisiveness this week…. about leaf blowers? They’re trying to get people angry and shift the dynamics of the election.
I have no doubt whatsoever that the Italian-American community in Nonantum has been slighted and received poor treatment in city culture and politics in the past. But as we’ve seen in this discussion, it’s not like they haven’t been an active, powerful constituency for years, too.
And, indeed, another theme that emerged in that long Facebook discussion was the entitlement and bigotry of the SN people themselves. Claims that they’ve been here longer than newcomers, so deserve deference; saying that if we don’t like their group and how people make a living, to go move to Cambridge; telling another discussion participant that even though she lives in Ward 1, that she isn’t part of the Nonantum community and isn’t “special”; even outright telling me to “go back from where I came.” That’s one heck of a statement following from a screed about poor treatment of immigrants.
Don’t be fooled for a second that these cries that they’re “marginalized” has anything to do with an interest in diversity and inclusion. It’s just a culture war power play, that’s all.
Many people have noted that they have never shown substantive evidence of their claims–and they won’t, because that’s not really what it’s about at all.
“Bottom line is that they are on the losing end of a variety of issues in the city and don’t have the political power to win arguments on their merits.”
I thought the same thing earlier this year and then their candidates won handily in the special election. While I get where they’re coming from in some ways, they’re going down a weird and scary road that I think we need to take seriously because they can win.
You are exactly right. That’s why I think it’s important to recognize the culture war stuff for what it is and to call it out.