Globe: ‘It’s not supposed to be easy to ban marijuana sales permanently’
A Boston Globe editorial has some harsh words for the “overwhelmingly white and wealthy” suburban communities where voters supported legalizing recreational marijuana but are now trying to ban the stores.
…it’s not supposed to be easy to ban marijuana sales permanently, especially in towns whose residents voted for legalization in the 2016 referendum.
Later the editorial is talking about Concord, but it seems to apply to Newton as well…
…One is forced to wonder: Which children did the overwhelmingly white and wealthy towns have in mind, and would they have voted differently in 2016 if all state residents were exposed to its consequences equally?
Massachusetts is headed toward a two-tier system, strongly correlated to race and privilege, and the law allows it. It’s not a pretty picture — and if towns try to make it even worse through moratoriums, officials should just say no.
Patch article sheds more light on female councilors’ concerns
Jenna Fisher at Newton Patch has had the most extensive reporting on concerns about the treatment of female Newton City Councilors, including this from a new article posted tonight…
Multiple councilors told Patch of stories where a woman would hold their hand up to speak but the person leading that particular meeting would ignore her or be dismissive. Another incident mentioned was where a city councilor called two women councilors “lightweights.” There were reports of a city councilor calling colleagues after hours and cursing them out, or snapping at them or talking over them in public meetings where members of the public were present. During one meeting a councilor asking a town employee about why something was not going the way it was supposed to in that department was interrupted by another councilor to tell her he didn’t like her tone, Patch was told.
and Fisher ends with this..
Patch is in the process of listening to recordings of meetings from the past six months and will
Laredo: ‘…this behavior is not acceptable to me’
Thanks goodness for Jenna Fisher at Patch who continues to explore the meeting of eleven female Newton City Councilors that attendees say was “a back yard wine and cheese conversation” about the “appropriateness of the way women were being treated” but is the subject of an anonymous Open Meeting Law complaint, now being investigated by the city solicitor.
In the complaint to the Attorney General’s office, someone alleged all of the women on the Newton City Council who went to a May 20 event violated Open Meeting Law by holding a meeting to talk about council business. But a number of people at the event, described as a back yard wine and cheese conversation, said they did not talk about any
Greenberg: “…get together was …about the appropriateness of the way women were being treated’
Jenna Fisher at Newton Patch has just posted a story about the anonymous open meeting law complaint against 11 female Newton City Councilors, including this explanation from Councilor Maria Greenberg
“The purpose of the get together was just to speak about the appropriateness of the way women were being treated [in the Chamber],” said Councilor Maria Scibelli Greenberg. “We didn’t know what the protocol was there. We wanted to get together with the experienced councilors and ask them how we could handle it in the future.”
She described the event as social gathering to vent and commiserate. “I guess
Lots of chances this week and next to talk about Washington Street
The ongoing community conversation that aims to explore a future vision for Washingon Street kicks into full gear this week stating with the Hello Washington Street! “Kick-off” session this Tuesday (June 5) at Newton North from 5:30 pm to 8:30 p.m. Then there’s...City receives grant to study fiscal impacts of possible developments
Newton Planning Director Barney Heath sent a letter to the City Council Friday clarifying a confusing report about a state grant that incorrectly said the money would be used to specifically support the creation of 2,500 new housing on Washington Street. Instead,...
Gentile on Riverside : ‘obstructionist’ or ‘hero’?
The comments accompanying last week’s Boston Globe article about the proposed revisions to a mixed used development at the Riverside MBTA station, included two very different views of long-time Newton City Councilor Lenny Gentile:
“S&J’s Dad” writes…
…Councilor Gentile is an obstructionist who represents a minority viewpoint. He shouldn’t be allowed to continue to prevent progress toward modern development at Riverside.
But “Preserve our Neighborhood” write…
…City Councilor Lenny Gentile is a hero, a rare honest and brave elected leader who has the guts to stand up for residents and against the worst excesses of privatization of public property.
What’s your view? Is Gentile “an obstructionist” or “a hero”?
This should be ‘one of Greater Boston’s best transit-oriented opportunities’
The Boston Globe’s Jon Chesto reports on the latest plans for the Riverside MBTA station
The new Riverside complex could be the biggest project Newton has seen in recent memory: a collection of several buildings that would include an office tower, a hotel, hundreds of apartments, and a Green Line garage. The developers are considering a direct highway connection to minimize the additional traffic on Grove Street, which passes by an elementary school and through two residential areas.
Setti Warren ends his run for governor
UPDATE: Here’s the Globe’s story.
Former Newton Setti Warren sent this supporters early Thursday morning
Nearly a year ago, I stood in front of the house where I grew up–and the house where I live now with my wife and two young children–to ask you to stand with me and take back the Corner Office. I got into this race because I believe that economic inequality is the defining challenge of our time and we’ve got to take it on. Since then, I’ve
Superintendent’s Proposed FY18 Budget
This Powerpoint presentation of the proposed budget contains some devastating cuts to elementary library services, increases to technology and transportation spending, and modest increases to user fees (including transportation)
School Committee divided on charter school ballot question
The Newton School Committee passed a resolution to oppose the Charter School Ballot Question (Question 2) last week but it not unanimous, The TAB’s Laura Lovett reports. School Committee members Margie Ross Decter, Ruth Goldman, Diana Fisher Gomberg, and Angela...