We are all referees
When my daughter turned 11 back in 1994, I decided I would add refereeing to my soccer coaching bag of tricks, figuring that she wouldn’t be playing for many more years and that officiating would be a great way to stay involved in Newton youth sports. Well, I...Where should new housing go?
Amy Dain, a public policy researcher and consultant, has contributed this article to Commonwealth Magazine. I think it has some good ideas, but, beyond accessory apartments, I am not so knowledgeable about Newton’s actions in this regard to offer analysis and...Fields of dreams, but unfortunately nightmares
I admit that I am obsessed with the poor condition of the athletic fields in the city. (This probably comes from almost three decades of coaching, 25 years of refereeing youth and high school teams, and many years of playing.) While I appreciate that Mayor Fuller...
Blowing (much) louder than the wind
The Newton leaf blower ordinance states that all leaf blowers above 65 decibels are prohibited. This site reports that talking three feet away has a noise level of 65 decibels. I don’t know about you, but I can’t recall any leaf blower being that quiet....Howard, we hardly knew ye
From Wikipedia: Howard J. Whitmore Jr. (May 9, 1905 – June 19, 1998) was an American politician who was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1947–1953 and Mayor of Newton, Massachusetts from 1954–1959. Whitmore graduated from Harvard College in...A senior center for seniors
It is no surprise that Marian Leah Knapp offers a thoughtful, eloquent, and on-target assessment of the issues surrounding a senior center for Newton (in the latest issue of the Tab.) Marian is a recognized authority on the general issue of aging and she has been...Albemarle and Article 97
Wow, the Preserve Newton Parks group (centered on Albemarle but also comprising people from around the city) has put together a gangbuster memorandum of law suggesting why use of that park would activate the provisions of Article 97 of the state constitution....
Quid pro quo?
The Mayor is scheduled to deliver her proposed Capital Improvement Plan to the City Council today. The last CIP contained an item for replacement of Gath Pool, but many years into the future. There is no question that Gath–an important community...
Thanks to all the candidates!
Wandering through the Harvest Fair today, I had a chance to visit with a number of the City Council and School Committee candidates (some shown here), and I was reminded again that we owe them all a debt of gratitude. It’s not an easy time to put yourself...Have you read the Climate Action Plan?
As our City Council reviews adoption of the Climate Action Plan, I see a great deal of thoughtful and impressive work, but I have to admit to some reservations. I’ll mention one section to get the discussion going: Existing residential and commercial buildings...
Two for the road
Sorry, but I’m an infrastructure junkie, and when I see or hear about things that are not quite right, well . . . Case 1: The City has installed traffic calming improvements on Fuller Street between Commonwealth Avenue and Chestnut Street. These protuberances...
Crazy Divers: Men be like...
drivers man be like
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