• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • LWV Mission Statement
    • Bylaws of the LWVN
    • LWVN Non-Partisan Policy
    • LWVN Diversity Policy
    • LWVN Handbook
    • Annual Meetings
    • Newton League Past Presidents
    • Jane Leighton Volunteer-of-the-Year Award
    • LWVN Scholarship Program
  • News and Events
    • News & Events
    • The League Presents…
    • Newsletters
  • New Member FAQ
  • Contact Us
LWV Newton logo
  • Facebook

Visit us on Facebook!

  • Learn
    • Learn
    • The League Presents…
    • Topic Meetings
    • Newton Civics Challenge
  • Act/Advocate
    • Act/Advocate
    • LWVN Positions and Program
    • Issues We Are Following
    • LWVN Observer Corps
    • LWVN Local Action Log
    • Consensus Studies
    • National and State Positions
  • Vote
    • Vote
    • How to Register to Vote
    • How, When and Where to Vote
    • How to Pick a Candidate
    • Massachusetts Voters Bill of Rights
    • Your Elected Officials
    • Tips for Contacting Elected Officials

Newsletter

LWVN Newsletter, Dec. 2018

December 18, 2018

LWVN Newsletter, Vol 24 Issue 3

Table of contents

  • President’s Letter
  • Creating Greenways Along the Charles
  • LWVN Comments on CPC Applications
  • Election Security
  • LWVN briefs Lasell Village residents on the 2018 ballot questions
  • The View from the League Booth at the Farmer’s Markets
  • LWVMA League Leaders Lunch, October 20, 2018
  • Best of Luck to Longtime LWVN Member Priscilla Leith
  • Welcome, New Members!
  • In Memoriam

President’s Letter

Dear League members,

I’m sure we’re all glad that election season is over (for now)! It was a busy, confusing, anxious, nerve-wracking time.   After a well-deserved break, we can look forward to a number of events for League members and the community at large, focused on issues such as ranked choice voting.

Usually state election years are quieter years for LWVN—but not this year.  We started early in the summer, planning candidates’ forums in time for the primary elections. In partnership with NewTV and a number of other local Leagues, we held a forum with Rep. Joe Kennedy and opponent Gary Rucinksi. We planned a forum for Governor’s Council but that fell through at the last minute.

At this point, LWVN began to focus on the three state ballot questions.  Both the September and October episodes of LWVN’s program on NewTV, “The League Presents…” were dedicated to discussions of the ballot questions.  We hosted LWVN member and ACLU of Massachusetts Board Member Holly Gunner in our review of Questions 2 and 3, on a constitutional amendment about money in politics and about transgender rights, respectively.  We also hosted representatives from the ‘yes’ and the ‘no’ sides of Question 1, the patient-to-nurse ratio question.

Our first Topic Meeting of the year in October also hosted representatives from both sides of Question 1, as well as both sides of the marijuana questions on the Newton special ballot.  The notes were available on our website for those who couldn’t attend. Thanks to Frieda Dweck for organizing and moderating this event.

Lasell Village asked LWVN to help their residents learn more about the ballot questions.  Thanks to two LWVN Board members, Alicia Bowman and Alice Donisi-Feehan, who volunteered to lead this meeting.

In addition to these activities, our voter registration crew was extremely busy registering hundreds of new voters in the summer and fall.  Led by Sharyn Roberts, the group was visible at Farmer’s Markets, July 4th, Village Days, the Harvest Fair, as well as at both high schools. Thanks to all who participated over the course of the season.

As all this was happening, LWVN’s CPA (Community Preservation Committee) evaluated two proposals this fall:  one to fund an appraisal and legal counsel regarding Webster Woods and another to fund a sizable expansion of senior affordable housing at the Golda Meir House.  Many thanks to CPA committee members for evaluating the proposals.

So what are our upcoming plans?

  • We will soon be delving into the mechanics of the state’s process on ballot questions. This is part of LWVMA’s consensus study—look for more information about an educational meeting in November, followed by an official consensus meeting in December.
  • Also in December, LWVN is planning a holiday party this year! We will meet at the Durant-Kenrick House on Sunday, December 9th—more details to come.
  • We are also planning a forum on ranked-choice voting, the procedure used in Maine’s state elections, in March at the Newton Free Library.
  • LWVN is also hard at work on a civics bee—details are still being worked out, so look for more information and calls for volunteers as we head toward the spring.
  • LWVN also has a new committee just starting to work on scholarships for high school students. Again, more details will be forthcoming as they get organized.

And of course, in the spring municipal elections will begin to grab our attention.  We will hold our ‘Don’t Just Stand There…Run’ event for those interested in running for office or helping others run for office.

As always, if any of these activities interest you, please contact us at info@lwvnewton.org,  We will continue to keep you updated on our activities and other events of interest with our weekly emails.

In League,

Sue Flicop
President, LWVN

 


Creating Greenways Along the Charles

Thursday, January 24th 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Newton Free Library Drucker Auditorium

Join us for a panel discussion of the parklands along Charles River in Newton. The panelists will present the history and a vision to restore this heritage, including new bike/pedestrian greenways along the Charles River and the role greenways play in maintaining the health and vitality of the river, the people and the communities.

Panelists

Herb Nolan, Executive Director, The Solomon Foundation

Dan Driscoll, Director of the Office of Recreational Facilities Planning, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

Emily Norton, Executive Director , Charles River Watershed Association and Newton City Councilor

This event is sponsored by the Newton Free Library and co-sponsored by The Riverside Greenway Working Group, Newton Conservators, Bike Newton, The Solomon Foundation, Green Newton and the League of Women Voters Newton.


LWVN Comments on CPC Applications

This past fall, LWVN commented on several applications before the Community Preservation Commission (CPC).  Below are excerpts from our letters.

Golda Meir House, $3.25 million

In general, we feel this project has lots of positive aspects.  Specifically, the new units fill a large need in the community, have permanent deed restrictions on the affordable units; is aiming for LEED silver construction, will partner with Hearth, Inc., and leverages CPC funding to access other funding, limiting CPC funding to about 11% of the project cost.

Our main concerns are the support of the neighboring community and the question of seniors who should suddenly find themselves in financial difficulty.

Newton Conservators, $30,000

Our recommendation is to approve this application to cover the additional costs related to conservation restrictions for properties purchased with CPA funding.  We also recommend that this additional cost be added in to any future application to purchase conservation land.

Allen House, $600,000

Regarding the current application, this is part of a multi-stage project that goes back to 2015. Our readers found that the organization has successfully managed its earlier construction projects and are inclined to recommend this project.  However, one reader raised the question about whether or not the proposed theatre space would generate enough income needed to finish the renovations, and wondered if a needs assessment has been done.  The idea was raised of possibly generating more income from providing rental space to non-profits and small businesses than from theatre space.


Election Security

by Pia Bertelli and Linda Morrison

Election Security is a hot topic these days, and on October 16, LWV Wellesley hosted California computer scientist Dr. Barbara Simons at the Wellesley Free library for a very informative presentation regarding voting cyber security: threats and solutions.

Dr. Simons is currently the board chair for Verified Voting, a member of the LWV San Francisco, and is retired from IBM Research and former President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).

Verified Voting is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that advocates for legislation and regulation promoting accuracy, transparency and verifiability of elections. Verified Voting has concluded that computer voting without verifiable paper back up is “faith-based” voting.

Besides the possibility of Internet hacking, malware in voting software or spy chips imbedded directly into a voting machine, there are many questionable practices adding to the question of election security. Many states have no paper back up to machine voting, recounts of paper ballots are not done by a bi-partisan group, ballots are rejected without notification or review. Many states have laws inhibiting recounts. Even more troubling, voting software companies have refused requests for recounts citing their “proprietary information” Simons offered several examples of questionable voting situations and some solutions.

Georgia, most recently in the news, has had a history of election security issues. In 2002, last minute software patches were made to the Diebold DRE machine’s software just before the election. There was no independent oversight of the software or time to test it. Two incumbents ahead in the polls lost (Cleland, Senate and Barnes, Governor). The system was paperless and provided no opportunity to check the results.

In 2003, there was an independent study of the software, which found gaping security holes: a single key to encrypt all data on every storage device was embedded in the program text: F2654hD4. In 2006, a Princeton team showed how to implant a virus via removable memory. The key to lock the memory card slot was like a hotel bar key – easily picked. See the video of how to remotely hack these machines on www.verifiedvotingfoundation.org. The same machines are still used in GA today, despite a lawsuit calling for marked paper ballots.

Many people believe that voting machines are not vulnerable to hacks if they are not connected to the Internet.  This idea is false, as at some point in the counting process, the web or internet may well be involved.  Only a few key places need to be hacked in order to change the course of an election. Without a paper trail it is impossible to know if what someone enters onto a screen is what the memory records. The hardware could have a spy chip embedded in it, or it could simply be faulty.

In Carteret County, South Carolina 2004, 4500 votes were lost because the memory on some machines filled up, but did not display an error message so people kept voting on them. More people checked in/out than actual votes entered.  The voters above the cut off were never counted. There was no paper trail so the vote could not be verified. As a remedy to this problem, South Carolina called for a Verified Paper Audit Trail but unfortunately, used a thermal continuous roll paper.  Thermal paper printing has big problems with disappearing data.

In Virginia, Winvote machines were determined to be the “worse voting machine ever”, even over the Diebold DRE. The machines used wireless technology. When people came in with their iPhones, the machines tried to talk to the iPhones. It was a paperless system so it is unknown how the wireless interfered with the voting results. Other insecurities were an unchangeable encryption key “abcde”, no security updates since 2007 and the password was “admin”. The machines used since early 2000s were decertified after the recent VA midterms.  Parties that request a recount are required to pay for it.  “Verified Voting” strongly recommends using “post election audits” with hand counts of randomly selected precincts, and other safeguards

Legislation in the House, proposed by a bi-partisan group, called for some of these measures, but it got watered down, and there was never any version in the Senate.

Recommended

  • Broken Ballots: Does your ballot count?, Dr. Barbara Bluestein Simons
  • Video – “Stealing America, Vote by Vote (2004 & 2006 election)

Further thoughts:  Who “certifies” voting systems?  Could the national association of Secretaries of State set standards for voting systems?  Or at least publish the non-partisan data from verifedvoting.org?

Voting Security is a core LWV issue!


LWVN briefs Lasell Village residents on the 2018 ballot questions

Alice Donisi-Feehan briefing residents at LaSalle Village about 2018 ballot questions.
Alice Donisi-Feehan briefing residents at LaSalle Village about 2018 ballot questions.

Lasell Village contacted LWVN to request we present information about the questions on this fall’s ballot to residents. Board member Alice Donisi-Feehan answered the call.

 


The View from the League Booth at the Farmer’s Markets

by Sharyn Roberts, Voter Registration

Our goal is to educate our public; and from that stems some lively conversations.  I always keep the League of Women Voters standard to never support any particular candidate over any other.  In this day and age, it is a real challenge to always take the middle road (high road) and neither agree nor disagree when the person in front of me is lambasting or extolling a particular politician.

I draw attention to the candidates’ forums, where we encourage everyone running to step forward and present themselves to the public, usually in front of a television camera with all the other candidates running for the same office.  Also this year, the state League developed a Voters Guide with a live link that delighted everyone when we mentioned it.  Candidates running for the same position answered the same questions so the public can compare their responses.  Now that the Primary is over, the same link will be used for a Voters Guide for the General Election in November once LWVMA receives their responses.  This link is www.InformedVoterMA.org.

Many people are still surprised that we do take positions on issues.  They think that we are, or should be, totally non-partisan.  To that I usually respond, with a great deal of cheek, that if we never took positions on issues, women would probably still not have the right to vote.  That response sets people back on their heels nodding in the affirmative: that makes a lot of sense.

In November’s General Election, when you vote you will receive two separate pieces of paper.  The first is the ballot for the state offices, including three ballot questions.  They are: 1) nurse to patient ratio; 2) forming a citizens commission on limiting election spending and corporate rights; and 3) transgender anti-discrimination.  The second piece of paper asks two Municipal questions (Newton only) on marijuana; if it should be sold in Newton, and how many stores will sell it.

The League says please vote Yes on state ballot questions #2 and #3, with no position on question #1 which we are hoping will either be the subject of a League topic meeting, and/or the subject of our October television show on NewTV entitled “The League Presents…”.

So stay tuned to our weekly emails for the latest updates and see you at the Farmers Market and Harvest Fair on Sunday, October 14th, on the Newton Centre Green.


LWVMA League Leaders Lunch, October 20, 2018

The League Leader Lunch is the traditional start of League activities for the year and acts as the statewide kickoff to a new year.  Newly elected and returning League leaders come together to learn about upcoming studies, events, and resources; to share ideas and challenges that local Leagues face, and to make important connections with other Leagues.  The underlying theme is grassroots action and how we as women (and men) can make a positive impact.  We are always given the tools to accomplish this feat so we aren’t just tilting at windmills.

We reviewed what state legislation the LWVMA is following and the status of these bills.  When the formal part of the 2017-2018 session of the Massachusetts legislature ended on July 31, a number of bills that LWVMA supported had passed, but we also had some keen disappointments.  Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), Criminal Justice Reform, Gun Control Safety, and three key bills affecting women became law.  Some bills were passed with many but not all provisions that LWVMA supported and then there were the disappointments.  A measure to repeal the “cap on kids” banning welfare payments for children conceived after a family qualifies for aid was inserted in the budget.  Then the governor amended that provision.  The legislature did not accept the amendment, and the Governor vetoed the “lift the cap on kids” provision in the budget.  We were disappointed that another League priority, the Safe Communities Act, to make sure local law enforcement officials and local resources are not used to identify, register, and deport undocumented immigrants who pose no known threat, did not pass as filed, and that a State provision added to the budget to protect the rights of immigrants was eliminated from the final version.

The LWVMA Legislative Action Committee of 19 legislative specialists followed more than 75 bills during the 2017-2018 legislative session, submitting written testimony on all these bills and testifying in person at hearings on many of them.  More information is on the state League website at www.lwvma.org.


Best of Luck to Longtime LWVN Member Priscilla Leith

Best wishes to Priscilla and Doug Leith, who are in the process of moving to Needham’s North Hill community.  Priscilla made lasting contributions to the LWV Newton, in her work on (what we used to call) Women’s Issues, her many years of service as treasurer, and her leadership in establishing topic Meetings.  She has transferred her LWV membership to Needham; their gain is our loss!


Welcome, New Members!

We welcome the following new members:

  • Susan Loffredo
  • Rebecca Kanter
  • Rich and Christina Parker
  • Rachel Coben
  • Karen Manning
  • Joanne Mead
  • Mark and Joanne Hooker
  • Caeden Brynie
  • Larissa Hordynsky
  • Beckley Gaudette
  • Judy Herzig-Marx
  • Diane Shufro

Glad to have you all with us!


In Memoriam

This past week, LWVN lost a longtime member who was a dedicated Topic Meeting attendee and a kind, engaged person.  Doris Lelchook, age 94, passed away on December 5th.   Our condolences to her family–we will miss her cheerful personality.

Categories: Newsletter

LWVN Newsletter, Summer 2018

July 13, 2018

LWVN Newsletter, Vol 24 Issue 2

Table of contents

  • Preventing Gun Violence
  • Letter on Gas Leaks
  • Newton Power Choice Information from the City of Newton
  • Champagne and Chocolate Fundraiser is a Success!
  • Welcome, New Members!

Preventing Gun Violence

Five members of LWVN April 30 lobbied with the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence at the State House: Bonnie Carter, Lucia Dolan, Andreae Downs, Alice Donisi-Feehan, and Janet Goldenberg (also of the Coalition).

A short pre-meeting with over 100 Coalition members was followed by a literature drop and meetings with legislators’ aides. The aides our group met repeatedly told us that their legislators were going to vote in favor of H3610–an act “temporarily preventing firearm access for extremely dangerous or suicidal individuals” filed by Rep. Marjorie Decker of Cambridge. (Also called an Extreme Risk Protection Order, ERPO or red flag.)

The organization of our morning was so good, we were out again within an hour!

Subsequently, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo held a press conference at Cambridge and Rindge and Latin school on Wednesday, May 2.  As reported in the Boston Globe, he stated his support for the bill, saying “This isn’t about politics, it’s not about scoring more points or partisanship.  It’s about protecting our students, and it’s about preventing crises.”


Letter on Gas Leaks

Gas Leaks Legislation Letter to the Newton TAB from LWVN, February, 2018

Thanks to our Newton representatives, Kay Khan and Ruth Balser, for their leadership on gas leak legislation.

Coordination of construction on roads is now easier because of a bill passed last summer to pressure the gas utilities to coordinate with municipalities when roads are being reconstructed.

This January, our representatives co-sponsored legislation to further pressure gas utilities to plug leaks.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas. Leaked gas also costs ratepayers statewide over $90 million annually, kills trees and harms health.

Since last summer’s bill went into effect, Newton and other communities are already seeing more cooperation from the gas companies. Newton has over 400 known non-emergency leaks.

As Newton plans to triple its roadway maintenance budget starting in July, we need to know we aren’t paving over or disturbing fragile gas mains that may endanger the health or lives of nearby residents.

It makes more sense to get all our underground pipes fixed ahead of repaving so residents can enjoy their streets without disruption, and we can conserve our tax dollars for future projects.

The Newton League of Women Voters follows the progress of state bills on gas leaks, which affect us at the local level. We invite readers to join us at www.lwvnewton.org.

Signed,

Sue Flicop, President
LWVNewton.org


Newton Power Choice Information from the City of Newton

Newton Power Choice Program

The City of Newton is developing a plan for a new electricity program to be named Newton Power Choice.  The program will provide an opportunity for Newton to significantly increase the amount of renewable energy in the community’s electricity supply. The program is a form of group purchasing known as an electricity aggregation, and it will impact nearly all electricity customers in Newton.

The program will allow the City to use the bulk buying power of the community to provide:

  • Greener electricity
  • Price stability
  • Consumer protections

The program will provide a City-vetted alternative to commercial electricity supply offers you may receive by mail or over the phone.

New electricity choices

As a program participant, you will have new electricity choices.  Newton Power Choice will give you greater control over the environmental characteristics and price of your electricity supply.  You can choose to:

  • Receive a standard amount of additional renewable energy, above the minimum amount required by state law.
  • Opt up to 100% renewable electricity.
  • Opt for renewable energy in an amount still to be determined.
  • Opt down to receive no additional renewable energy but retain the program benefits of price stability and consumer protections.

Stay tuned for more details as the Newton Power Choice program is developed.


Champagne and Chocolate Fundraiser is a Success!

April 8th was a cold and dreary afternoon in Newton.  However the League’s Champagne and Chocolate fundraiser warmed us all up. For the first time, we held our event at the recently renovated historic Allen House, the home of the Newton Cultural Alliance  (NCA). The restoration of this historic home has been funded in part to the Mass Cultural Facilities Fund Mass Cultural Facilities Fund and the city of Newton’s contribution from the state’s Community Preservation Act.

Prior to our guest speaker we were entertained by Adrienne Hartzell and Duke Roth playing their cellos.  The League also learned about the history of The Allen House from Representative Kay Khan and NCA Managing Director, Adrienne Hartzell, both founding members of the NCA. It was an elegant afternoon

League members gathered to hear our guest speaker Anita Walker, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.  Anita is a dynamic speaker who shared with us the intersection of arts and politics.  She has devoted the last year reflecting on the impact of President Jack Kennedy’s voice on the arts, Walker writes “Jack’s is a voice that can energize and inspire, resonating even after the voice is gone”.  Jack advocated for the arts in a way that surpassed any president before him. He invited Robert Frost to read a poem at his inauguration, making Frost the first poet to be included in this way. Kennedy created the groundwork that would one day become the National Endowment for the Arts, he believed: “as a great democratic society we have a special responsibility to the arts, for

We have not sponsored a Champagne & Chocolate fundraiser in a couple of years, and are pleased to have raised over $4,000 — our greatest success to date!  Thank you to the local businesses who donated to the event:

  • Marty’s Liquors
  • A. Russo & Sons

We would also like to acknowledge league members who made this day the success it was… Thank you to all:

  • Pat Acton
  • Bonnie Carter
  • Sue Flicop
  • Ellen Grody
  • Marcia Johnson
  • Andrea Kozinetz
  • Sharon Roberts
  • Tami Roberts

Welcome, New Members!

LWVN welcomes seven new members:

  • Alice Donisi-Feehan
  • Janet Goldenberg
  • Stephen Grody
  • Phyllis Kirschner and Marc Kirschner
  • Tamika Olszewski
  • Sabrina Pescosolido Feldman

Thanks for supporting and participating in our work!

Categories: Newsletter

LWVN Newsletter, Spring 2018

March 13, 2018

LWVN Newsletter, Vol 24 Issue 1

Table of contents

  • President’s Letter
  • Smell gas? Newton has 588 leaks in underground gas lines
  • Yes for a New Charter campaign retrospective
  • Voter Service Update Fall 2017
  • Pollworkers’ Thank You Party held on December 14
  • Welcome, New Members!
  • In Memoriam

President’s Letter

Dear LWVN Members:

Since the start of our LWVN year, we welcomed two new Board members:  Pat Acton, a long-time active LWVN member and past president of the Wallingford, CT LWV, and Frieda Dweck, former PTO Council Co-President and co-chair of the Yes for a Newton Charter group.  With a large Board this year, we hope to expand the number of active committees and improve our own internal processes to support our members.

It’s been a busy year so far…here’s what we’ve been working on:

  1. Candidates’ Forums:  LWVN was once again pleased to work with NewTV on a series of forums in time for the elections.  Together, we sponsored and organized eleven forums from the end of September to mid-October.  All were aired on NewTV and are available on NewTV.org.
  2. VOTE411: For the very first time, LWVN used this online tool to present our Voters Guide.  Leagues around the country have used them and been very pleased with the results.  On October 10th, we made this available to our members and all voters in Newton.  By inputting your address and zip code, you are able to see all the races you vote on, and the responses of the candidates to our questions.  We received generally positive feedback from voters, and hope to continue this again.
  3. LWVN Supper for Elected Officials:  every two years, at the start of a new legislative session, LWVN hosts our City Councilors, School Committee members and Mayor to a supper before a full meeting of the City Council.  This year we had a great turnout for wraps and appetizers from Jake’s Falafel in Newton Center.  Thanks to Linda Morrison, Sharyn Roberts, Tami Roberts and Pat Acton for their help with set-up and clean-up.
  4. “The League Presents…”: With the help and guidance of LWVN member Maureen Reilly Meagher, LWVN has a new program on NewTV!  This program will cover timely topics of importance in our city.  The first two episodes (September and October) were on the proposed charter vote, followed by the November show featuring three newly elected officials who were not in contested races.  In December we talked about school transportation, followed by Newton Power Choice in January.  Our most recent show was a conversation with Newton State Representatives Ruth Balser and Kay Khan.  You can view all of these shows using links from the LWVN homepage at lwvnewton.org.  We look forward to our next show with guest Mayor Ruthanne Fuller!
  5. Voter Registration: Our registration guru Sharyn Roberts and her volunteer corps has been hard at work at all the Farmer’s Markets and Village Days throughout the summer and fall, as well as both Newton North and Newton South High schools, to register voters.  Please contact us at info@lwvnewton.org if you would like to help.
  6. LWVN Environmental Committee: This committee meets regularly each month to discuss environmental issues important to our community.  They collaborate with other environmental groups here in Newton and around the state as well.  If you’d like to join and/or attend a meeting, check the LWVN calendar for their next scheduled date.  Thanks to committee chair Lucia Dolan for her terrific leadership!
  7. Topic Meetings: Thanks to Bonnie Carter, Pat Acton, Linda Morrison and Theresa Fitzpatrick for organizing a number of topic meetings so far this year.  Our March meeting will focus on local program planning, our regular yearly discussion of what we’d like to work on next year.
  8. Membership: Don’t forget to renew for the 2017-18 year if you haven’t yet—we’ve added an opportunity to automatically renew your membership each year so you don’t have to remember.  Thanks to Lisa Mirabile, Bonnie Carter, Ellen Grody, Andrea Kozinetz and Sharyn Roberts for all your efforts.
  9. Lots of upcoming events: Be sure to check out the LWVN calendar—we post not only our own events, but also those of neighboring Leagues, LWV of Massachusetts, and LWVUS.

Thanks to all who have volunteered with us so far this year, and especially to Linda Morrison, who has organized this newsletter and who has endless reserves of patience.

In League,

Sue Flicop
President


Smell gas? Newton has 588 leaks in underground gas lines

by Lucia Dolan

Natural gas leaks:

  • Can cause explosions
  • Kill trees by attracting bacteria to their roots
  • Are harmful to human health
  • Are an extraordinarily potent greenhouse gas
  • Waste a valuable fossil fuel that has been harvested through fracking

What’s more – we pay for all the gas wasted in leaks!

A topic meeting about gas leaks which was held at NewTV on Novermber 9. The Resource People/Speakers were Launa Zimmaro, LWVMA Environmental Specialist and Ellie Goldberg from Mothers Out Front (MOF) who is also a LWVN member.  There were three members of MOF in attendance, as well as 12 League members.  The Discussion Leader was Priscilla Leith.  We learned that methane is a much stronger greenhouse gas than CO2, that we are paying for gas that we don’t use, that if the gas company fixed the leaks, there would not be a need for the proposed new gas lines.  We need to work on getting the gas company to deal with the aging infrastructure.  Launa encouraged us to go to the LWVMass website to learn about LWVMA action at the State House.  There is a list of bills that the LWV is working on, as well as the League testimony.


Yes for a New Charter campaign retrospective

by Frieda Dweck

With a few months behind us since last November’s election, the Yes for a New Charter campaign has had some time to reflect upon the campaign to approve a new city charter, and the effort to change the size and composition of our city council.

Our task was a challenging one – to convey a difficult message about a complex subject, and to convince voters to make a change.  While we were all disappointed by our failure to get a new city charter approved in the election, we have much to be proud of.

Over the course of the campaign, we found there is still a large proportion of the Newton electorate that is uninformed about how our local government is structured, the choices that they are entitled to make when they step into the voting booth for municipal elections, and how their elected officials respond to them as constituents.

As a result of our efforts to change the charter, we believe that we provided a forum for Newton residents to engage in thoughtful conversations about how our local government works, and asked them to imagine how our local government could be better.

It is our hope that these conversations continue, that we keep tackling the difficult questions, and that we continue to challenge the status quo and continue to strive for a better government.

Finally, here is an accounting, by the numbers, of what the campaign and its many volunteers, accomplished:

  • knocked on over 10,000 doors
  • held over 30 coffees (or charter chats, as we liked to call them)
  • had a presence at every fair, the farmers markets, and most other community events
  • mailed three informational mailers to almost 20,000 households
  • produced two palm cards that were distributed to thousands of people
  • submitted over 40 letters to the Newton Tab, and many more letters to the city council
  • installed over 500 lawn signs
  • listed over 500 endorsers on its website

Voter Service Update Fall 2017

by Sharyn Roberts and Sue Flicop

This past fall was an exciting election season and with a series of Candidates’ Forums as well as a new format for our Voters Guide.

With 12 contested races, we had two certified candidates withdraw their names before the deadline and one write-in candidate announce her run after the deadline.  LWVN determined that the write-in candidate met the standard set by LWVUS to be invited to join in LWVN voter service activities.

Newton had a preliminary election for Mayor, and LWVN held a Candidates’ Forum with our partner, NewTV, for all seven candidates.  The September preliminary election reduced the number of candidates to two:  Ruthanne Fuller and Scott Lennon.

LWVN, in partnership with NewTV, held eleven Candidates’ Forums, starting on September 25th.  A forum for the Ward 1 Ward Councilor seat was not held, as the candidate Franco Cedrone declined to participate.  Additionally, Jay Ciccone, Councilor and candidate for Ward 1 At-Large City Council seat, has also declined to join the forum for that seat.  That forum, for the at-large seat, was still held because all three other candidates have chosen to attend.

All forums were recorded at NewTV studios and aired by the station throughout the election season.  The programs were also available on NewTV.org—look for the “Newton Vote” section of their website at newtv.org.

This year, LWVN participates in VOTE411, an online Voters Guide that was created by LWV.  We invited ALL candidates, even those who are not in contested races, to answer three questions that were of concern to our community.  That was available to all Newton voters on October 10th by going to vote411.com and entering in a Newton address.

Voter Registrations

LWVN had a booth at all the Newton Farmers Markets, Village Days, and some school fairs registering voters who are new to Newton or who have reached age 16 and are participating in the state’s pre-registration.  We also did a “brisk business” in absentee ballot applications for those voters who were not in town either for the Preliminary Election on September 12th or for the Municipal Election on November 7th.  We were also educating the public in cooperation with the “YES” Committee on the November ballot question determining whether Newton should update the current Newton City Charter.

Sue Rosenbaum and Sharyn Roberts also spent an evening in August teaching some of the people at the Tosteson Medical Education Center at the Harvard Medical School how to run voter registrations.

We also provided rides to the polls for election workers and voters during the Preliminary on September 12th and and again on Tuesday, November 7th, Election Day.

LWVN also participated in National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 26th by registering students at Newton North High School in the morning in conjunction with Terry Yoffie and the adults and students of the NNHS Center for Civic Engagement  and Service; and at the Cold Spring Farmers Market all afternoon.  We registered and pre-registered students at Newton South High School the next week.

Our work continues!  If you are interested in helping register voters, please contact info@lwvnewton.org for more information.


Pollworkers’ Thank You Party held on December 14

On  Dec.14,  the City held a thank you party for the poll workers who worked on the elections last fall. Pizza, salad, and cake were enjoyed by all.  A number of LWVN members joined them, circulating, expressing appreciation, and hearing people’s experiences or thoughts about elections. One poll worker expressed real concern about voter fraud and the integrity of our elections.  Newton’s system, which reads ballots electronically, preserves the actual paper ballots.  Wouldn’t it be progress if a federal law required all election systems to preserve such a paper trail!


Welcome, New Members!

Since November 2017, LWV Newton has welcomed the following members:

  • Paula Fazli
  • Sabrina Feldman
  • Luis Fernandez-Herlihy
  • Victoria Gifford
  • Jane Harper and Neil Kulick
  • Martina and Daniel Jackson

Thanks so much for supporting LWVN–we hope to see you at an event soon!


In Memoriam

LWVN mourns the loss of three members who contributed greatly to the organization:  Jane Leighton, Ingrid Kefauver and Ruth Fernandez-Herlihy.

Jane Leighton

Jane Leighton was LWVN President  from 1975-77, and passed away on January 13.  The Jane Leighton Award was named in her honor in 1980.  Jane was honored to have her name symbolize service to the community and the League, and all those who worked with her remember her with great fondness.

Ingrid Kefauver

Ingrid was an outspoken person and long time member who particularly valued the LWV practice of active citizenship and Voters’ Service.

Ruth Fernandez Herlihy

Ruth was active during the 1960s, and chaired the LWVN committee studying whether the City should form a Charter Commission (Florence Rubin later chaired the Commission itself).  She is remembered as a lovely person and must have been a stalwart leader!

Ruth Fernandez Herlihy:  http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/wickedlocal-newton/obituary.aspx?pid=185661549

Categories: Newsletter

« Previous Page

Primary Sidebar

Support LWVN

Join/Renew
Donate

Upcoming Events

  • There are no upcoming events.

Election Info

Newton Special Election - March 14, 2023

  • Register to vote
  • How to vote
  • Vote by Mail and Absentee Ballots
  • Find your polling location

2021 LWVN Member Handbook

An electronic version LWVN Member Handbook is now available.  Expect an updated handbook for 2022-23 in the late Fall.

LWV Mass. & US

LWV MA LWV US

Watch “The League Presents…”

The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

  • The League Presents: City of Newton Override 2023
  • The League Presents: The Newton Energy Coach Service with Stephen Grody, Newton Citizens Commission on Energy
  • The League Presents: Zoning Redesign Part 2: MBTA Communities
  • The League Presents: A Conversation with Carol Moore, Newton’s City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council
  • The League Presents: Zoning Redesign, part 1

All past programs

Take Action & Contact Your Legislators

  • Support An Act Promoting Community Immunity
  • Support Public Health Measures 
  • Support Racial and Gender Parity

Posts by Category

  • VOTE – Voters Service
    • Elections
    • Candidate Forums
    • Voter Registration
  • LEARN – Topics of Interest
    • Charter Commission
    • Community Preservation
    • Education
    • Environmental Issues
    • Housing
    • Land Use
    • Municipal Finance
    • Transportation
    • Women’s Suffrage
  • ACT – Action & Advocacy
    • Local Action Log
    • Consensus Studies – MA
    • Consensus Studies – Newton
    • Consensus Studies – US
  • City of Newton Info
    • City Council Meetings: Docket Digest
    • Observer Notes
Cover for League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
416
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

The League registers voters and educates them about the important issues and challenges facing Newto

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

6 days ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Join us for a conversation with Congressman Jake Auchincloss of the MA 4th District on Wednesday, Feb 15 at 7:30pm!Learn more at lwvnewton.org/event/congressmanauchincloss-feb2023/Register at bit.ly/talk-with-jake ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 weeks ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
LWVN is again offering two scholarships to high school seniors in Newton! We are pleased to have increased our scholarship award for the class of 2023 to $2,000 each!Learn more at lwvnewton.org/lwvn-scholarship-program/Candidates should apply online at bit.ly/LWVNAPPLY23 by March 1, 2023. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Election Day is one week away! Not sure what's on the ballot or how to vote in the midterm elections? Get your election questions answered at www.vote411.org and watch forums on the 4 Massachusetts ballot questions at lwvma.org/ballot-question-forums/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Don't miss your chance to vote! The last day to register to vote in the 2022 MA elections is Saturday, October 29!FACT: It takes an average of two minutes to register to vote and tomorrow is the deadline! Go to registertovotema.com to register or update your information now. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Your voice matters!Newton voters can vote early at City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave:Saturdays - 9am to 3pmSundays - 11am to 5pmWeekdays - 8:30am to 5pmGot weekend plans? 📢 Early voting sites open tomorrow! Find your local polling hours and locations: www.sec.state.ma.us/EarlyVotingWeb/EarlyVotingSearch.aspx⁠👉️ Before you head to the polls, check out our nonpartisan voters' guide at VOTE411.org to compare candidates side-by-side by reading their views on major issues in their own words. Our guide also includes information on the state-wide ballot questions. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

© 2023 League of Women Voters® Newton | P.O. Box 610207, Newton, MA 02461 | info@lwvnewton.org

Site by Tech-Tamer | Log in