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President’s Message

September 30, 2021

President’s Message

As we all get ready for the change of seasons and the glorious colors of the fall, I want to take a moment to ask each of you to consider…

How will you help the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) fulfill its 2021-22 program goals?

The simplest way is to become a member of LWVN’s Observer Corps.

Why is this more important today than at any other time of our political and governmental history? It is pretty simple:

  • In a 29-July-2021 article, Marjorie Arons-Barron states it best as she laments the loss of local  journalism.  As time has worn on and community newspapers have shrunk and lost staff, there have been few to hold city officials, elected and appointed, accountable and transparent on what they say and do.
  • Our city website is not the simplest tool to use to find information….information that is critical to residents and business owners who need information to make decisions on what they need from/do for the city.
  • City Council, Board and Commission reports frequently lack important details,  reports, recordings and/or agendas are not consistently and timely posted on the city’s website.
  • Social Media is more often more opinion than fact-based, thus not making it a regularly reliable source of information.

Therefore, we are reaching out to every LWVN member asking you to please help LWVN make our city government more accountable by becoming an Observer of one or more of the following committees, boards, or commissions:

  • City Council’s standing committees:
    • Finance
    • Land Use – Affordable Housing
    • Zoning & Planning – Zoning Redesign
  • Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) – Affordable Housing
  • Boards or Commissions:
    • Community Preservation Committee
    • Conservation Commission
    • Election Commission
    • Fair Housing Committee
    • Newton Housing Partnership
  • School Committee

You will be trained and mentored by Judy Jaffe, a board director and long-time member of LWVN.  Working with the Board of Directors, Judy will help you determine which meetings are best for you to observe and what information is needed so that LWVN can provide objective reports, and the Board can decide where to place our advocacy and/or recommendations for making information, processes, and procedures more accessible and transparent.

Thank you!

Sincerely,
Marcia Johnson
President LWVN

Categories: News

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Watch “The League Presents…”

The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

  • The League Presents: Zoning Redesign Part III; Village Center Overlay District Ordinance
  • The League Presents: Pride Month Edition – A Conversation with Newton Youth
  • The League Presents: Mental Health – A Community Conversation, Part 1

All past programs

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

The League registers voters and educates them about the important issues and challenges facing Newto

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 weeks ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
National Voter Registration Day is Sept 19!Make sure you're #VoteReady in 2023 by checking your voter registration status on MA's online voter registration site, especially if you haven't voted in awhile or your life has included any of the following:🚚 a move💍 name change🇺🇸 new US citizenship🎂 an 18th birthdayAnd, this is a good day to remind your family, friends, and neighbors to register & vote in the upcoming local elections! ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 weeks ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
In this month's episode of The League Presents, learn about the Village Center Overlay District Ordinance from Jennifer Caira – Deputy Director, Planning & Development Department and Councilor Deb Crossley – Chair Zoning & Planning Committee. ... See MoreSee Less

The League Presents - Zoning Redesign 111

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Marcia Johnson, Jennifer Cairo and Deb Crossley discuss the Newton Zoning Redesign.

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

1 month ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
The preliminary election for Ward 2 and 6 is September 12. Mark your calendar and make your voting plan. Learn about the candidates and get voting information here: lwvnewton.org/2023/08/newton-preliminary-election-tuesday-september-12-2023/ ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
In the last few days of Pride Month, check out these two informative programs by the League of Women Voters of Newton, MA1) The League Presents... Pride Month Edition - A Conversation with Newton Youth: lwvnewton.org/2023/06/the-league-presents-pride-month-edition-a-conversation-with-newton-youth/ 2) LGBTQ+ Backlash: What you can do to push back. View the recoding here: lwvnewton.org/2023/06/video-presentation-anti-lgbtqia-backlash-what-can-you-do-to-push-back/ ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

4 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Anti-LGBTQIA+ initiatives are taking root throughout the country and Newton is not immune. Hear from the ACLU’s Ruth Bourquin about the context, consequences, and responses to the anti-LBGTQIA+ backlash at this month’s virtual topic meeting. This meeting is free and open to the community. Register in advance: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lfuyhrzwtGNTYlmG-GpCBxTa1Z5MS81Ga#/registration ... See MoreSee Less

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

© 2023 League of Women Voters® Newton | P.O. Box 610207, Newton, MA 02461 | info@lwvnewton.org

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