Two incumbent City Councilors – Alan Lobovits (Ward 6) and Rick Lipof (Ward 8) – withdrew from their races for reelection just before the deadline, narrowing the field to three in Ward 6 and leaving the two remaining Ward 8 candidates unopposed.
Alan Lobovits (Ward 6)
In a surprise announcement, Alan Lobovits, first-time at-large City Councilor from Ward 6, sent an email to his colleagues on August 5 informing them of his decision to withdraw his candidacy for re-election. He had submitted nomination papers before the July 22 deadline and was qualified to be on the ballot. The final day for withdrawal was Thursday, August 7. Dr. Lobovits’s departure leaves three candidates for the two at-large seats from Ward 6.
In an interview with Fig City News, Dr. Lobovits said he wanted to “disabuse the idea that I was under pressure to do this.” His decision was motivated by the feeling of getting older and thoughts about how he might use his time. “To run a campaign is a hell of a lot of work, even though I think I would have won,” he said. Although he acknowledged that his supporters “care a lot about the city, it was not compelling enough” to stay in the race.
As a first-time candidate in 2023, Dr. Lobovits was encouraged to run by opponents of the expanding development in Newton Highlands. He urged more input from local residents in determining building and expansion, especially on and around Lincoln Street.
Although he is leaving elected office, he hopes to help the city in other ways, among them deciphering what the function is of the fifty-five City committees and commissions, which are not part of any City department or the City Council. “I would look at all of that and ask, ‘Is the best way to serve all the cities?’,” Dr. Lobovits explained. With his departure, the Ward 6 at-large race includes three candidates who have not previously served: Lisa Gordon, Ted Gross, and Sean Roche.
Rick Lipof (Ward 8)
In an even more surprising, last-minute withdrawal, long-time Ward 8 at-large City Councilor Rick Lipof announced that he was withdrawing on August 7 — on the last possible day to remove oneself from the November ballot. Both Mr. Lipof’s father, Mike Lipof and his sister, Cheryl Lipof Lappin, have represented Ward 8 on the Council. Having served for twenty-four years, Mr. Lipof said “the decision to not run was a struggle as service for me has not been just an honor but also a serious obligation.”
When he leaves the City Council at year’s end, Mr. Lipof will focus on his appointment to the Board of Directors of the Holocaust Museum of Boston, the first such museum in New England. In addition, he is “working on bringing a new opportunity to Newton to raise funds above and beyond what Proposition 2 1/2 will allow. New revenue can come to our community in many ways. Stay tuned…,” he concluded.
Mr. Lipof, who heads a real estate appraisal company, has been a strong supporter of larger residential developments, particularly those including affordable units, but he opposed the controversial 184-unit development at 528 Boylston Street, where 25% of the units will be offered at below-market rates. The project is situated next to conservation land in Ward 8, along a dense travel lane on Route 9. One of the three remaining candidates running for Ward 8’s two at-large seats, Jacob Silber, has been a vocal opponent of the project. With Mr. Lipof’s withdrawal, Mr. Silber will join Council Vice President David Kalis in representing Ward 8.
Although he withdrew at the last possible moment — minutes before the deadline — Mr. Lipof said he’d been considering his departure for some months, noting that he, his father, and his sister together have served on the Council for over 50 years. At the same time, he felt increasingly drawn toward working on development of the Holocaust Museum and to the fight against antisemitism. Mr.Lipof is the son of Rabbi Emily Lipof, longtime senior rabbi at Temple Ohabei Shalom.
In speaking with Fig City News about his work on the Council, Mr. Lipof focused on his long service on the Land Use Committee, as Chair and Vice Chair, where he feels “the real work of the Council occurs.” Those negotiations allow the City some control over the size and nature of development that otherwise would be “by right,” he said.
Mr. Lipof’s term will end on December 31, but he promised to continue to work for the city. “Public service doesn’t end with elected office.” he said.
