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The League Presents...

The League Presents… Newton’s 2023 New Candidates for School Committee

Recently, I had an opportunity to speak with Amy Davenport and Barry Greenstein, both are unopposed and non-incumbent candidates for School Committee seats in Wards 7 and 8, respectively. Since there are no challengers for these positions, The League does not hold what we call an “empty chair” forum. Therefore, we thought that The League Presents… would give them an opportunity to introduce themselves to Newton, share their thoughts about their candidacy and the Newton Public School system. Please use the links below to view my conversations with the candidates:

View the conversation – Amy Davenport – Ward 7 View the conversation – Barry Greenstein – Ward 8

Marcia Johnson
LWVN Board of Directors

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

 

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.

The League Presents: Mental Health – A Community Conversation, Part 1

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month which has been observed in the U.S. since 1949., Marcia Johnson, League president, had a conversation about this very important subject. Many in Newton have experienced mental health challenges, whether it be themselves personally, a family member, friend or co-worker. This is the first of a two-part program where the League will familiarize you with some of the resources and services available to community residents. Marcia Johnson, has a conversation with:

The focus of the conversation was youth/students, families, and seniors and the availability of resources from City Hall and non-profits, such as NAMI.

Watch this episode

The League Presents: Newton Food Pantries Update

Taylor Lies
Taylor Lies, Board President of the Centre Street Food Pantry
Sindy Wayne
Sindy Wayne, Board Vice President of the Newton Food Pantry

With the COVID-era boost in Federal Extra Pandemic Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits ending at the beginning of March, we thought it important to  learn more about Newton’s food pantries.  In this episode of  The League Presents… Marcia Johnson talked with Sindy Wayne, Board Vice President of the Newton Food Pantry and Taylor Lies, Board President of the Centre Street Food Pantry.

It was fascinating to learn about these two very complex and impressive organizations that bring food and personal items to many residents of Newton and several neighboring communities.  The conversation focused on the following topics:

  • How the food pantries have adjusted to three years of Covid and the economic challenges of 2022-23.
  • The people that they serve and how people in need may gain access to the food pantries.
  • Where the food comes from.
  • How the organizations fund and manage the operations.
  • The role of volunteers. If you would like to be a volunteer, please use these links:

Watch this episode

The League Presents: School Buildings and the Override, with Josh Morse, Newton Public Building Commissioner

 

Josh Morse, Newton Public Building Commissioner
Josh Morse, Newton Public Building Commissioner

In this episode of The League Presents, Marcia Johnson spoke with Josh Morse, who is Newton’s Public Building Commissioner. Given that the LWVN recently endorsed passage of the three override questions, our conversation is aimed at helping the community to better understand how the override funds, should voters approve the questions, be spent on our school buildings.