Slow down: Newton’s default speed limit reduced to 25 MPH
Newton’s new 25 MPH speed limit will apply on municipal roadways with no posted speed limits, replacing the previous default limit of 30 mph, The TAB’s Jonathan Dame reports.
Do you support Newton’s new proposed ‘Welcoming City’ ordinance?
On the heels of a contentious debate about whether or not Newton should become a sanctuary city, Newton Mayor Setti Warren, Former Mayor David Cohen, Police Chief David MacDonald and 18 City Councilors docketed a compromise “Welcoming City” draft ordinance on Friday. The ordinance will be in committee Wednesday and go to the full City Council in three weeks
Do you support or oppose the new compromise?
POLL: How do you feel about Lennon vs. Fuller this November?
So far, two veteran City Councilors — Scott Lennon and Ruthanne Fuller — have launched campaigns to succeed Setti Warren as Newton’s next mayor.
Are you satisfied with the choice between these two candidates? Or do you hope someone else will run because there are positions or qualities you’d like to see in our next mayor which you believe are not represented by the current field? Vote in our poll and then explain why in the comments section.
[polldaddy poll=”9656011″]
Sarah Perry is leaving the Second Step
Sarah Perry is stepping down as Executive Director of the Second Step. A statement from Perry is here.
This is a big loss for Newton and we should all be grateful for her service to our communtity
Angela Pitter-Wright will not seek reelection to Newton School Committee
After five years on the School Committee representing Ward 3, Angela Pitter-Wright won’t seek reelection this fall, Laura Lovett reports at Wicked Local Newton
Kouril Grieser: Apartments in the burbs are ‘reversing the American Dream’
I’m glad I wasn’t drinking a glass of milk this morning when I read Katheleen Kouril Grieser’s latest TAB column in opposition to the redevelopment of the Orr Block Building in Newtonville.
Because even in a year where political discourse has veered off into ugly directions, Kouril Grieser’s assertion that projects like the one businessman Robert Korff has proposed for the corner of Washington and Walnut Streets is “reversing the American Dream” is stunning.
If I understand Kouril Grieser’s position correctly (and, granted, she can be confusing) seniors, singles, young families, childless couples or anyone else who might believe an apartment in Newtonville close to transportation, a grocery store, a pharmacy, great restaurants, an arts center and other amenities would be a great place to live are — unbeknownst to them — “settling” for something less than the American Dream.
In addition, Kouril Grieser declares, those same misinformed apartment dwellers are ALSO “destroying the dreams of everyday Newton residents” who choose
Super Bowl politics: Does it feel different this year?
Tom Mountain is extra giddy this year that the Pats are playing in the Superbowl, writing in a TAB column…
News flash to all Democrats cheering on the Patriots for the Super Bowl, especially those husbands whose uber-feminist wives still let them watch this violent sport: Bob Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are all friends and supporters of President Trump. So as you’re cheering on Tom know that after the game he’ll return to his Chestnut Hill estate to gallivant about in his red “Make America Great Again” hat. That is, unless he and Bill opt to hang out with their pal Donald Trump first.
Gail Spector, on the other hand, won’t be watching but it has nothing to do with whether or not Brady will really be gallivanting about in his red “Make America Great Again” hat,” writing for WBUR’s Common Health blog…
Here I am, in Patriot Nation, hoping that the Pats will flaunt another Super Bowl win in NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s face, but the league’s indifference to the health of its players is infuriating me. How can I support a business that’s uncompromising in its policies about pain relief while its employees develop devastating addictions?
Does the Trump/Brady/Belichick/Kraft connection, Gail’s concerns or any other factor change how you feel about this Sunday’s game?
In photo: Make America Great Hat in Tom Brady’s locker
Should Creem, Balser, Khan and Lawn override Baker’s pay cut veto?
On Friday Gov. Charlie Baker vetoed a pay raise package for legislative leaders, judges and others but considering that the Senate approved the raises 31-9, and the House supported it 116-44, the votes clearly exist to override the governor’s veto.
Should they?
In particular do you support our local delegation — Reps. Ruth Balser, Kay Khan and John Lawn, or state senator Cindy Creem — voting to override the veto?
Or do you think Setti Warren was right when he
City gets funding to address intersection of Washington and Harvard Streets
From Newton Patch
Newton will use its $400,000 to fund the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Washington Street and Harvard Street, additional curb extensions to reduce crossing distance and improve visibility, new sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, accessible pedestrian signals, bicycle detection, signage and pavement markings
Setti Warren: Don’t be scared
This Tweet today from Newton Mayor’s Setti Warren’s personal account.
Many in #NewtonMA are scared by actions taken by new @potus. Don't be. We are #OneNewton. You are safe here. We resist divisiveness.
— Setti Warren (@settiwarren) January 25, 2017
Political dominos: Ward one gets a contested council race
Once again, former Alderman Allan Ciccone Sr. is running for the Ward 1 City Council seat. This time he will be challenged by newcomer Carolina Ventura, the TAB’s Jonathan Dame reports.
The seat’s current occupant Alison Leary (who defeated Ciccone Sr. twice) is running for the
Leary to run at large in November
Ward 1 City Councilor Alison Leary will be running for the Ward 1 At Large Seat this fall, according to her website.
This switch is, no doubt, motivated by the fact that
