Marc Laredo has served on the Newton School Committee for eight years and was its chair. He then served on Newton City Council for fourteen years and is its president. Now, he’s running for another city office – Mayor. He notes that he will be the first Newton Mayor with long-term School Committee experience. The lead heading on Mr. Laredo’s website promises that he will be “A Mayor for all Newton residents.” Among his list of top priorities, he includes, “promoting a sense of community.”
Mr. Laredo is considered the presumptive successor to Mayor Fuller because of his broad citywide support, impressive campaign financial resources, and an aggressive campaign. According to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, Mr. Laredo has spent $82,037.35 on his campaign and has $73,998.97 in his account. He maintains a comprehensive website that includes his positions, endorsements, news, and videos.
His service on and leadership of the School Committee contributes to his decision to put schools at the top of his priority list. Parents of school-age children have expressed continuing concern about the impact of Covid, the Newton Teachers strike, and last year’s budget crisis. Mr. Laredo conceded that those issues prompted some parents to remove their children from the Newton system, but he noted that some were returning to public school. At the same time, people who do not have children in the schools are worried that the Mayor may call for an override if there is a budget-shortfall crisis. While Mr. Laredo sees an override as a last resort, he emphasizes the City’s obligation to provide special education, senior services, and library services. He argues that preserving those and other services, which maintain the quality of life for Newton residents, also preserves and increases property values for all residents. Moreover, he praises Dr. Anna Nolin, Superintendent of the Newton Public Schools, and plans to work closely with her to set and meet goals.
High on the list of residents’ complaints is the condition of roads and sidewalks, and therefore, it’s high on Mr. Laredo’s priority list. He is committed to accelerating repair work and plans to work with the Department of Public Works to improve efficiency. Mr. Laredo has indicated his willingness to restore the traditional Italian flag stripe on Adams Street.
Recognizing the financial importance of luring more commercial enterprises to Newton, Mr. Laredo plans to restructure the City’s economic development strategy. “Proposition 2 1/2 left us with finite resources. …We don’t have large plots of land to rely on for more residential development, and commercial property is taxed at a much higher rate than residential development and uses far fewer city services,” he explained to Fig City News. Hence, his determination to reach out to landlords and “direct people to commercial space.” His economic plan also includes reaching out to other parts of the county and the state to “put out the welcome mat” to attract new businesses. Fueling that determination is the potential for an economic downturn caused by the federal cuts to research and higher education — and the ripple effect on the community. He notes that an economic downturn will likely impact housing and rental prices.
As added incentives, Mr. Laredo noted the Commonwealth’s efforts to improve MBTA subway, bus, and commuter rail service. “Trains from Springfield to Boston is a game-changer,” he said. Another important aspect of commercial development is adequate parking, “because people will go to where there is parking,” he added. Similarly he is open to new “methodologies” for improving and expanding public transportation — possibly including shuttles. Noting that Newton is not a bicycle-oriented community in the way that cities in the Netherlands are, he is concerned about the increase in motor bikes, motorcycles, and scooters, which cause accidents involving cars and pedestrians.
Mr. Laredo will ask the City Council to approve a new Department of Arts and Culture, headed by Meryl Kessler, currently head of Spark Newton (formerly named Newton Community Pride). He described her as highly respected in the arts and culture community. In his view, increasing performance and arts opportunities will draw people in Newton and beyond Newton to local restaurants and shops, and he envisions the department collaborating with Parks and Recreation, the Newton Free Library, public schools, and local arts organizations. Arts and Culture will have a voice at City Hall, he promised. As for the Parks and Recreation Department, Mr. Laredo will ask for a comprehensive plan to improve playgrounds, athletic fields, athletic fields, and open spaces.
His vision for leading the city includes working more closely with the City Council and the School Committee, soliciting views from its members. In addition to the elected City officials, Mr. Laredo is determined to solicit comment and input from local residents. To facilitate community participation, he plans to upgrade the City website, which he feels is too difficult for easy public access. While he concedes that the improvement may take some time, he says the result will yield a much more efficient tool.
Another set of changes includes some reorganization of department heads and advisors. He wants his staff to feel free to comment on, make suggestions about, and disagree with his proposals. “It is critically important for me to surround myself with people who are ready to tell me when I’ve made a mistake,” he said.
Mr. Laredo outlined his anticipated staff changes if he is elected:
- He would promote Josh Morse from Public Buildings Commissioner to Chief Operating Officer, and he emphasized Mr. Morse’s “remarkable work ethic” and willingness to talk to everyone.
- John Rice, former Ward 5 City Councilor and current Hyde Community Center Director, would become the new Chief Community Services Officer with oversight of community services including Parks and Recreation, Library, and Health and Human Services.
- After the November 4 election, Mr. Laredo plans to announce the creation of a new position, Chief of Staff, who will serve as liaison to federal, state, and local officials in Newton and neighboring communities.
- Ellen Ishkanian, Mayor Fuller’s Communication Director, would remain in the Laredo administration, as would Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemieux, who would stay on until June 30, before her planned retirement.
- Senior Executive Office staff members Hattie Kerwin Derrick, Amalia Timbers, and Jaclyn Norton would also continue to serve.
- Jonathan Yeo, the Mayor’s Chief Operating Officer, will be retiring.
Mr. Laredo was raised in Newton and attended Cabot Elementary, Bigelow Middle, and Newton North High Schools. His three children are also Newton school graduates, as is his wife. “Newton is a great place to live,” he says, adding, “there is always room for change, but it’s a great place to live and I’m really enthusiastic.”
