On Monday, June 8, 2026, LWVN sat down with Newton City Clerk/Clark of the Council Drew Willison to help introduce Newton to its new City Clerk. The discussion ranged from learning about the work of the City Clerk’s office, the City Clerk’s background, how he has adjusted to his new role since taking over in late October 2025, and words of advice to voters on how to best use mail-in voting.
The interview was conducted by LWVN Board member Alex Jablon and was hosted by NewTV.
The 6th installment of the Democracy in Everyday Life series in now available! This panel discussion, “Freedom of the Press: A Cornerstone of Democracy,” focuses on the meaning of the First Amendment and whether the Free Press is really free. Panelists included Dan Kennedy, a professor in the School of Journalism at Northeastern University and a nationally known media commentator, Steph Solis, co-author of the Axios Boston newsletter, and Sarah Stone, the National Field Director at Free Press
Civics Challenge CanceledUnfortunately we have had to cancel our Middle School Civics Challenge scheduled for Sunday, May 17. We hope to bring it back next year. Please check our website in January 2027 for information.
Questions – Contact Us.
In an ongoing effort to help Newton residents understand the budget process, LWVN added to its Understanding Municipal Finance series with two new The League Presents episodes.
In the first League Presents, Board member Alex Jablon speaks with Newton Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Anna Nolin, and Assistant Superintendent and Financial and Administrative Office, Liam Hurley, to break down the school budget process, common misconceptions, major elements of the budget, risks and trends.
In the second League Presents, Board member Alex Jablon speaks with Newton Mayor, Marc Laredo, and Newton Chief Financial Officer, Maureen Lemieux, to break down the city budget process, similarly talking about common misconceptions, major elements, risks and trends.
These two recordings, together with the virtual topic meeting held on March 19, 2025, featuring former Newton Mayor David Cohen, and retired Lexington Town Manager (and now Newton resident) Carl Valente, help explain how Newton’s municipal budget process works. View the Recording of the March 19, 2025 topic meeting.
The 5th installment of the Democracy in Everyday Life series in now available! This panel discussion, “The Link Between Democracy and Access to Healthcare”, addresses how the Commonwealth is/should be “Improving access to health care by removing geographic, linguistic and cultural barriers,” a LWVMA position. The experienced panel looks at health innovation, justice, equity, affordability, comprehensive, and quality care.
Our first fundraiser in over eight years was a huge success! We had over 100 people attend, and we achieved our fundraising goal to help sustain our High School Scholarship Program.
Thank you to our Donors:
Patrons: Ellen & Stephen Grody, Rhanna Kidwell & Dan Silver
Sponsors: Sandy Butzel, Deb Crossley, Nancy Crowley, Ruthanne Fuller, Heather Hamilton, Jane Harper & Neil Kulick, Anne Larner, John Lawn, Julie Lindstrom, Kathy Shields, & Terry Yoffie
Thank you to the local businesses who contributed to a beautiful dessert table: Antoine’s Pastry Shop, Blacker’s Bakeshop, Cookie Monstah, Country Desserts Bakeshop, Hilliards Chocolates, Icing on the Cake, Indulge, Little L Bakery, The Half Cookie & Wegman’s, and to Newton Highlands Wine & Spirits, for supplying bubbly.
Thank you to a Fundraising Committee without whom none of this would have been possible:
Deb Crossley, Frieda Dweck, Lee Gelb, Ellen Grody, Jane Harper, Marcia Johnson, Julie Lindstrom & Carolina Ventura.
And our sincerest appreciation to:
Our Host – Ruthanne Fuller
Our Esteemed Speaker – Lt Governor Kim Driscoll
Read the write-up of the event in the Newton Beacon.
See images from the event below: