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Newton City Council President Susan Albright: Inauguration Address — January 2022

January 31, 2022

Good afternoon, Mayor, City Council and School Committee Colleagues, and invited guests.  I’m excited to start a new term and honored to be able to guide our Council through it.  We had no idea what was in store for us two years ago today.  The pandemic forced us to isolate and lock-down and when we all thought the pandemic was behind us, along came raging omicron.

I was, recently asked by a constituent, what keeps me up at night?   You might be surprised by my answer.  I told him that it was the disappearance of empathy and the complimentary lack of compassion.  Can we walk in another’s shoes? Can we solve problems with compassion?

First I need to say Newton is a generous and giving community.  We support charities locally and around the world. But the tone of political discourse in Newton is worrisome.   Conversations on local issues –roads, trash collection, schools, zoning, parking, street lights, have often devolved into the us versus the “other”.  Often evil intent is ascribed to “the other”.  Some say the former federal administration used anxiety and fear as motivators rather than empathy and compassion. Has this trickled down into Newton conversations?

Can we address the winter parking ban, zoning, or just a missed trash pick-up with empathy and compassion? With these we can seek balanced solutions for the resident with no driveway, the family that gets priced out of Newton, the disabled adult child living with aging parents for lack of affordable options, or even the trash collection company who can’t stay staffed up because of COVID.  I believe empathy and compassion can change the tone of our discourse.

The pandemic’s rules for social interaction force us to only see each other virtually on computer screens.  These rules are here to stay for a while.  Vaccines, testing, masking and social distancing keep us physically healthy.  Empathy and compassion can help us stay mentally healthy as we try to get to yes on so many controversial issues. I will work harder to listen carefully and work on compassionate solutions taking everyone’s needs into account.   I ask that of all of us, elected officials and residents alike try the same.

Before I conclude I want to note that this council stayed intact from the last council which will enable us to hit the ground running as we serve this city.  We will make government as transparent as possible. Join us on zoom even after we go back to city hall (hopefully sooner rather than later).  Soon the docket tracking database will be released and help everyone track our progress.   It is my hope to create a new Council Climate Action Mitigation Committee to address related docket items – and give them the attention that they need and deserve.

Finally, I thank you for attending inauguration – a fresh start to get to yes on so many things.  I wish you, your family and friends a happy, healthy and solution-filled New Year.

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Ellen Auerbach Grody
Ellen Auerbach Grody

June 28th, 11:33 am

Thank you for the recent letter to the mayor:LWVN Board Concurs with Newton Citizens Commission on Energy’s Memo Rejecting Newton Cemetery’s Tree Removal RequestJune 24, 2022On June 24, 2022, LWVN sent an email to Mayor Fuller expressing our our agreement with the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy (NCCE)’s memo of June 20th stating “We are writing to you regarding the Newton Cemetery’ request for exemption from the Tree Preservation Ordinance. We urge you to stand with the Director of Urban Forestry in denying that request and any waiver of its consequences. We also urge you to ask the City Council to revise the ordinance language to clarify their intent that the Tree Preservation Ordinance not exclude any property owners from its provisions.” ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 22nd, 6:26 pm

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law - https://mailchi.mp/56363aee24bf/votes_act_update-8901645 ... See MoreSee Less

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 21st, 11:26 am

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety - https://mailchi.mp/ceafe522986a/newton-public-facilities-meeting-new-pipelines-and-gas-valve-safety ... See MoreSee Less

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 13th, 10:33 am

LWVN has launched an important new "Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative". Learn more here!: https://lwvnewton.org/2022/06/… ... See MoreSee Less

Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative: Mission Statement and Goals - League of Women Voters Newton

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Throughout its 102-year history, the League of Women Voters has been a vigorous advocate for transparent and accountable government. The League strongly believes that transparency and accountability i...
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 9th, 10:12 am

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee - https://mailchi.mp/6365b29fa297/votes_act_update ... See MoreSee Less

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee

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Boston, MA — The Massachusetts VOTES Act Conference Committee today released its version of the comprehensive election reform bill, which will now head to the House and Senate for final procedural...
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