by Nathan Phillips | Feb 5, 2016 | Newton, politics |
Newton’s legislative delegation, mayor and U.S. congressman are supporting Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for president. Do you think they are representative of how Newton will vote on March 1? I’m not asking how you will vote (although...
by Nathan Phillips | Jan 26, 2016 | Newton |
Housemasters are now Deans, according to an email sent to the high school community from the principals of both Newton North and Newton South. Their reasoning makes sense: As an extension of the word “master,” housemaster has negative connotations. First...
by Nathan Phillips | Jan 24, 2016 | Newton |
For the first time in the 24 years* I’ve lived in my neighborhood, I was able to walk all the way around the block on shoveled sidewalks (excluding one small patch) tonight. I felt happy and encouraged while walking, and I wondered if, maybe, the snow shoveling...
by Nathan Phillips | Jan 20, 2016 | Newton |
I reached out to Tom Lopez, head of the Newton Firefighters Association, today to ask about the union’s issues with carrying and administering Narcan. In addition to explaining why the change isn’t as simple as the public might believe, Tom told me that...
by Nathan Phillips | Jan 12, 2016 | Newton |
Jonathan Dame has a story on Wicked Local Newton about the vacancies in Newton City Hall. Mayor Setti Warren is quoted, saying: “We take this seriously,” Warren said. “We take the hiring of leadership in this city seriously.” According to Dame, Warren and...
by Nathan Phillips | Jan 5, 2016 | Newton |
Joe Curtatone, mayor of Somerville, is proposing a 1% transfer tax on real estate sales to help pay for new affordable housing units, according to Wicked Local Somerville. Curtatone is quoted, saying: “We need to be a city that is just as much a home for the people...
by Nathan Phillips | Dec 23, 2015 | Newton
In honor of all Newton aldermen who will become city councilors on Jan. 1, I present my favorite Mark Marderosian* cartoon (which ran in the Newton TAB in July 2008). Mark and I laughed a lot when we brainstormed about cartoons, and I don’t think we ever laughed...
by Nathan Phillips | Dec 7, 2015 | Newton |
Mayor Setti Warren sent the following email to the Board of Aldermen this morning: I would like to announce, after hearing from residents and members of the Honorable Board over the last several weeks and having a discussion with Austin Street Partners this morning,...
by Nathan Phillips | Dec 1, 2015 | Newton |
TAB editor Andy Levin had already been vocal about his support for Austin Street so the paper’s endorsement is not a surprise. But it’s a must read for many reasons. A couple of excerpts: Opponents of the plan — a vociferous and well-organized minority in...
by Nathan Phillips | Nov 30, 2015 | Newton |
The final vote on the Austin Street project is likely to take place in eight days and insiders who’ve been trying to predict if the project can get the required 16 votes to pass say it’s very close. A few aldermen are still undecided – or at least reluctant to discuss...
by Nathan Phillips | Nov 24, 2015 | Newton |
In keeping with the Open Meeting Law, the School Committee for the first time held all of its caucus discussions to elect new leadership – including the vote — publicly this year. Alas, according to chair Matt Hills, no one from the public showed up. (That’s my...
by Nathan Phillips | Nov 20, 2015 | Newton |
Republican governors across the country, including Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, are saying that they will not take Syrian refugees in their states. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has said, “As a city and as a country it is not our custom to turn our backs on people who...
