LWV Newton logo

Visit us on Facebook!

LWVN Programming

LWVMA Webinar Series on the Status and Future Plans for Offshore Wind

Massachusetts and other New England states are planning on offshore wind as a major factor in meeting renewable energy generation and emissions reduction goals as we transition off fossil fuels.  Join LWVMA as they take a deep dive into the Northeast’s offshore wind industry and learn about the value of critical offshore wind projects and threats to their timely deployment. Each session has a separate Zoom registration. Sign up for one, two, or all three! See full descriptions and registration links for each session on the  LWVMA website. This series is co-hosted by LWVMA and New England for Offshore Wind (NE4OSW).

What’s Up with Offshore Wind? Current Status – Future Plans – Getting It Done

Webinars are 4:00-5:00pm Eastern Time
Webinar I, September 14, 2023: Collaboration and Ambition: Where Offshore Wind Stands Now
Webinar II, November 16, 2023: Opportunities and Obstacles: Costs and Benefits of Offshore Wind
Webinar III, January 18, 2024: Conflicts and Solutions: Overcoming Offshore Wind Opposition

The League Presents: Zoning Redesign Part III; Village Center Overlay District Ordinance

Newton’s Zoning Redesign began in approximately 2010. The Village Redesign and ultimately the Village Center Overlay District  (VCOD) work began in 2021 with the Community Engagement initiative.

Given our goal of educating and informing citizens by engaging them through public conversations on timely and important issues, we thought it important to participate in the City’s extensive community engagement process.  One of the ways in which we did this is offering a League Presents series.

Jennifer Caira
Deb Crossley
Deb Crossley

Here is the third in our League Presents series on  Zoning Redesign.  In this episode, Marcia Johnson has a conversation regarding the Village Center Overlay District Ordinance with Jennifer Caira – Deputy Director, Planning & Development Department  and Councilor Deb Crossley – Chair Zoning & Planning Committee.  Issues discussed included:

 

  1. The goals, why these zoning changes are important to the community, and how these goals are being accomplished.
  2. The key features of the village center districts, as there is not a one-size fits all approach.
  3. What the Council and Planning Department have learned from residents, some of the changes made based on that feedback and clarification as to where confusions exist.

For background purposes, we encourage you to also view Parts 1 & 2 of our series:

Watch this episode

 

Monday, July 17 at 7pm: Zoom Informational Meeting on Proposed Gun Control Laws

Aren’t we safe from gun violence in Massachusetts? While the Commonwealth has the lowest rate of gun deaths nationwide, we are not immune. According to the Gun Violence Archive, 387 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured in Massachusetts in 2023. It will take all of us to stem the rising tide of gun violence that claims the lives 130 Americans every day.

Representative Michael Day of Stoneham, Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, will brief us on his brand new omnibus bill, An Act to Modernize Firearm Laws, HD4220, on Monday, July 17 at 7:00 PM via Zoom.  Chair Day filed the 141 page bill–the most sweeping legislation since the gun reform bill of 2014. Conducting an 11 stop firearms listening tour throughout the Commonwealth, Rep. Day was charged with writing the bill following the US Supreme Court’s decision in the Bruen concealed carry case.

Register here.

Read the LWVMA summary and press release here.

If you have access to the Boston Globe, check out their July 10 editorial on this bill: Why Massachusetts can’t wait for Congress to enact stronger gun safety laws (bostonglobe.com)

The League Presents: Pride Month Edition – A Conversation with Newton Youth

Pride Month began after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests in 1969. Modern-day Pride Month honors the movement for LGBT rights and celebrates LGBT culture. In honor of Pride Month, Marcia Johnson, League president, had a conversation with:

– Amiya Smith – An officer of the Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Newton North
– Ben Miner – President of the Gender & Sexuality Awareness (GSA) Club, Newton South

The focus of the conversation was the role of the GSA, the importance of using the pronouns that align with an individual’s gender identity, and what could be done for Newton and its schools to be more accepting and respectful of LGBTQ+ students and residents.

Video & Presentation: Anti-LGBTQIA+ Backlash: What can you do to push back?

In this virtual topic meeting, Ruth Bourquin, Senior & Managing Attorney for the ACLU Massachusetts, reviews anti-LGBTQIA+ activities happening today both in Massachusetts and across the country, and offers talking points, action tips, and other ways to push back against this growing tide.  She is introduced by Newton City Councilor Holly Ryan, who also moderates Q & A from the audience. Ms. Bourquin’s presentation is posted below the video.

View or download the presentation