In the six years since Martha Bixby moved with her young family to Newton, she believes she has demonstrated the initiative and leadership that makes her a strong candidate for Ward 6 Councilor. (That seat, which is elected by the voters of Ward 6, is currently held by Brenda Noel, who is not running for reelection. The Preliminary Election will be on September 12.)
Soon after moving to Newton, she co-founded the group Newton Neighbors to help newcomers learn how to make their way in the city, facilitate connection, and improve their access to resources and support in Newton. She recently ended a term as Mason-Rice school PTO co-president, and she coaches Newton Youth Soccer.
Ms. Bixby’s priorities for Newton and Ward 6 include expanding constituent services, improving road safety, and helping residents make a difference on climate change. She says that it is important the City learn lessons from the Levingston Cove Crystal Lake project before the next stage, the Crystal Lake Park and Left Beach project, begins. Among her environmental goals, Ms. Bixby is concerned about gas pipeline leaks around the city, stating that these leaks are responsible for a significant portion of Newton’s gas emissions, in addition to being a more immediate safety issue.
Ms. Bixby wants the City to focus on providing safe bicycle routes for students to ride to school, including better signage about road sharing for cars and cyclists. She says she is looking forward to the City’s upcoming bike and pedestrian safety plan.
Ms Bixby is broadly in favor of the goals of the current zoning plan but wants to improve its effects on diversity in homeownership and on local small businesses. Also, she is in favor of set-asides for small businesses in Newton. She favors encouraging a broad variety of businesses in the city.
Martha Bixby has been an advocate and says she’s ready to have a say in City government.
