As someone who served for 14 years as the Ward 4 Alderman/City Councilor, I care deeply about our community and its future. With Councilor Chris Markiewicz stepping down, it is crucial that our next Ward 4 Councilor is familiar with Newton’s unique issues, challenges and opportunities, and has a solid…
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A vote for candidates who support the re-zoning as proposed by the Zoning and Planning committee is a vote to give up your freedom of speech. The proposal before the city council includes a “By Right” standard which means that no public hearings will be held for projects on lots less…
Opponents of the proposed zoning often say the changes are too radical, creating too much change to our village centers. However, from the historical perspective, this proposal actually brings our villages closer to what they once were. They were denser, taller and teeming with life compared to today. This is…
As a longtime Newton educator, now retired, I strongly support David Micley for the Ward 2 Ward City Council seat, along with many NPS retired and active educators who reside in Ward 2. David listens well and is an independent thinker. He will be able to work effectively with all…
Thank you for your recent issue with coverage of all the candidates running for City Council this election cycle, including Randy Block for Ward 4. Since meeting Randy and his wife Karen in 1990, I have grown to appreciate his calm and methodical approach to questions and issues. I remember…
Alan Lobovits is a retired pediatrician, who led a large medical group and served on the boards of Atrius Health and Reliant Medical Group. He is expert in data analysis, finance and management. He’s an expert in autism and developmental challenges in children and young people, and has served on…
From the welcoming music of the Branches Steel Pan Orchestra of Mattapan to the resounding echoes of the Eldredge Chime, the atmosphere was electric with enthusiasm at the recent celebration of Grace Church’s 150th Anniversary. The event united more than 200 members, neighbors, and city officials, all sharing in the…
The proposed village-center rezoning reflects thoughtful compromise and tradeoffs. A core tradeoff: balancing intensity of multi-family residential development in existing commercial areas against a broad desire to minimize multi-family redevelopment, aka teardowns. City councilors Pam Wright and John Oliver (and others, including like-minded candidates in contested races) have recently and…
Climate change is accelerating rapidly. Extreme heat is the deadliest natural hazard in the U.S. “Heat islands” in the built environment amplify average temperatures and extreme heat, especially near major highways. This affects every Newton neighborhood. The National Climate Assessment shows more flooding in the Northeast, where the most extreme storms are generating 27% more moisture…
Transportation is the biggest emitter of Greenhouse gases in the Northeast. Electrification of cars is well underway. School bus electrification is also underway in some Massachusetts municipalities and other states: New York mandated 100% zero emission school bus purchases beginning 2027. However, in Newton electric school bus deployment is stalled.…