Greg Schwartz files papers for recount
Newton City Councilor Greg Schwartz’ campaign filed the required petitions today at Newton City Hall to have a hand recount of the Ward 6 Councilor-at-Large race, according to City Clerk David Olson. “My office has certified the signatures on the forms...The Slippery Slope of Size
To listen to the Right Size argument in Newton is to hear a lot about the heights of buildings. Right Sizers living near the Northland property think it has too many apartments, while those over near Riverside fretted (until recently) that it had too few housing units...
Holly Ryan is about to make history
Boston University journalist Arianna Bouchard writes about Ward 8 city council candidate Holly Ryan in the Boston Globe:
When she wins, as expected, she’ll become the first openly transgender elected official in Newton — and one of the first in Massachusetts.
Of the 520,000 elected officials in the United States, about 13 are transgender, according to Victory Institute’s 2018 Out for America report.
Globe’s Kevin Cullen lauds Jake Auchincloss
Kevin Cullen, columnist for the Boston Globe, was very impressed by City Councilor Jake Auchincloss. Read here. Auchincloss couldn’t ask for much better publicity than this as he mulls a run for Congress.
“I have seen the future of real, decent politics, and its name is Jake Auchincloss.”
– Kevin Cullen
VIDEO: Ward 6 City Council forum between Lisa Gordon and Brenda Noel
Here’s the NewTV/Newton League of Women Voters debate between incumbent Brenda Noel and Lisa Gordon for the Ward 6 City Council seat.P & S Committee votes to forward raises to the full City Council
Just tonight, the Programs & Services Committee voted to forward the following compensation recommendations for discussion to the next full City Council meeting: Mayor (currently $125,000) to $155,000 City Council (currently $9750) to $15,500* School Committee...Letter from BRC Member on Elected Officials Salaries
It’s time to let City Council members of the Programs & Services Committee know your opinion on whether or not our elected officials (the Mayor, City Council and School Committee members) should receive raises. The period for public comments is expected to...Increasing transparency in Newton city government
It’s become more evident that our local government is not as transparent as it thinks it is. Think about NewCAL or the discussions on salary increases for elected officials. Present and former City Councilors have their own newsletters and organizations highlight...
LWV criticizes council’s ‘non-transparent, rushed process’ to raise its own pay
Marcia Johnson, President, League of Women Voters of Newton, presented the following letter to the Programs and Services Committee Wednesday evening.
On June 19, 2019, two members of the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) observed a meeting held by the City Council’s Programs and Services Committee regarding the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Salaries. Our comments below are
Paper bag fees approved, here’s Leary’s next targets
On Monday, the Newton City Council approved an ordinance that will require stores to charge a ten cent fee to all paper bags and also expanded the city’s plastic bag ban to include more stores and thicker bag. Once again, the initiative was championed by...Council to discuss 10-cent paper bag fee & city-wide plastic bag ban
The Newton City Council’s Programs & Services Finance committee will discuss a proposed expansion on the city’s plastic bag ban and adding a ten-cent fee on all check out bags, including paper bags. The rules would eliminate the current exemptions...