LWV Newton logo

Visit us on Facebook!

The League Presents...

The VOTES Act with State Senator Creem

Given the national focus on voting rights and suppression and our mission — Empowering voters. Defending democracy — the League thought it was important to provide more information on legislation put forward by State Senator Cindy Creem and State Representative John Lawn.  Therefore, we invited Senator Creem to join The League Presents to tell us about An Act Fostering Voting Opportunities, Trust, Equity, and Security, or The VOTES Act.  It is supported by the LWVMA, which notes that the Election Modernization Coalition has called it “the most comprehensive next step for Massachusetts elections.” The legislation includes the following components:

  • Mail-in Voting

    State Senator Creem
  • Early Voting
  • Same Day Registration
  • Jail-based Voting Reforms
  • Risk Limiting Audits – the Gold Standard
  • Automatic Voter Registration

It is important to note that we also talked about the fact that others are in the process of putting forward legislation that would restrict voter access.  We all need to become educated and active relative to the passing of this important legislation.  To learn more please view this episode of The League Presents: The VOTES Act with State Senator Creem.

The League Presents: The West Newton Armory Project

Amanda Berman

Recently, Marcia Johnson had the opportunity to learn more about the West Newton Armory project by having a conversation with members of Newton’s Planning & Development Department: Amanda Berman, Director of Housing & Community Development and Eamon Bencivengo, Housing Development Planner.

The City has been given the opportunity to acquire the West Newton Armory from the state, for $1.00, for a 100% affordable housing project.  Please take a moment to watch this informative program and learn more about:

Eamon Bencivengo
  • History, current state, and next steps of the project.
  • The Joint Advisory Planning Group (JAPG) process
  • Information on the four affordable housing options to be considered.
  • What it means for Newton to be designated as a Housing Choice Community.
  • Important aspects of this project for the Newton community
  • Importance and benefits of a public-private partnership

 

Saying Thank You and Good-bye – A conversation with outgoing City Clerk David Olson

In the last few days before his retirement, I had the opportunity to sit down and have a conversation with David.  Twenty years ago, he came to Newton from the House of Seven Gables to lead Historic Newton, which was housed in the Jackson Homestead.  In 2005, at the time of Ed English’s retirement, David applied for the position of City Clerk and Clerk of the Board of Aldermen (now City Council) and became the eighth City Clerk in Newton’s history.

Let’s now learn about David and how he approached this new and intriguing opportunity to work with the Newton community and others in City Hall.  He brought leadership, innovation, and a focus on talent development to the Clerk’s office that it had not seen before, especially to the Elections Office.  The City Council and the Executive Department will miss David, and so will I!

Thank you, David for all that you have done for Newton!  You are leaving big shoes to be filled.

Marcia Johnson

The League Presents: VOTE16 Newton

January’s The League Presents features a discussion with Newton North High School junior Olivia Pozen and Newton North High School senior Coral Lin, co-chairs of Vote16 Newton, a non-partisan, student run campaign dedicated to lowering the voting age in Newton to 16 years.

Olivia and Coral, as one of their advocacy projects,* are working alongside several other students to pass Vote 16 through a home rule petition in Newton. Together with City Councilor Bill Humphrey, Olivia approached the LWVN about having a show on the Vote16 initiative. LWVN has not yet taken a position on the proposed home rule petition.

Read more →

The League Presents: The Evolution of Fun & Entertainment during the Pandemic with Jerry Reilly

We have all been experiencing a difficult 2020 and as we approach its long-awaited end, I thought reflecting on Newton’s Fun & Entertainment during the Pandemic with Newton’s own “instigator” of fun Jerry Reilly would be a nice way to usher out the year.  To accomplish this, Jerry and I had a conversation while he shared video clips showing how fun in Newton evolved from being solely virtual to its migration outdoors and now is coming full circle to having to go back to virtual offerings.

As you watch the program, here are some highlights to look for…

  • Nomad Story Slam with a special surprise for Mayor Fuller
  • Video clips of the Newton Theater Company, Piano Summit organized by Chris Pitts, and Capella Clausura with its leader Amelia LeClair
  • The New City Church sponsored gospel concert, Hope is Rising featuring Reverend Devlin Scott, emcee, and vocalist Katani Summer, a teacher at NSHS
  • Just before “live” entertainment came to its end, there was an outside production of Waiting for Godot at the Durant-Kenrick House.

So please take a moment to sit back, relax and have some fun watching Fun & Entertainment During the Pandemic!

The League Presents: A Conversation with Susan Albright, President of the Newton City Council

Recently, I had the pleasure of having a conversation with Susan Albright, President of the Newton City Council and a Councilor at-Large for Ward 2. The City Council is Newton’s legislative branch of municipal government.  It is made up of 24 members – sixteen at-large Councilors and eight Ward Councilors.  Susan has been a city councilor for 16 years and president for almost one year.

I thought it would be good to learn about how she and the Council have managed the incredibly challenging 2020.  She reflected on her first year as president and shared her priorities for her next year.  She also shared the process for filling the councilor vacancies because of Councilor Jay Ciccone’s untimely passing and Councilor Auchincloss’ successful election to Congressman-elect for District 4.