We are writing to introduce Newton Conversations, a group that envisions a city where civil discourse thrives, and diverse perspectives are respected with open minds and thoughtful engagement. Newton Conversations evolved from discussions among residents over the past several years about how to foster civil discourse on issues facing the…
Posts published by “Letters to the Editor”
Watertown’s new school building has sustainability built into the design. Energy-efficient systems, modern ventilation, and reduced emissions mean healthier classrooms and lower long-term costs. Brookline has taken meaningful steps in a different but equally important area: school cafeterias. Waste reduction, composting, and sustainable food practices cut environmental impact while helping…
There is a persistent longing in Newton for the golden days of Newton Public Schools—seemingly a time when every student was above average and the district produced alumni of the stature of Joe Rogan (NNHS ‘85). But as we bemoan NPS’s drop in rankings, we must ask: Was excellence sacrificed…
I am writing to thank the residents of Newton for demonstrating their community spirit and commitment to sustainability by donating nearly 400,000 pounds of clothing and household goods to Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in 2025. Goodwill is a community-based nonprofit that relies on these donations to support its mission. Each…
On the one hand, the City’s bills (property tax, excise tax, water and sewer charges) encourage the payers to pay online, but then you go online and right at checkout they charge a fee for paying online by credit card. This is OUTRAGEOUS! The utility bills that I pay online…
The December 21 Boston Globe editorial (Fewer Meetings, More Housing) criticized Newton for taking 18 years to approve the plan for Riverside. This shows how little the Globe understands Newton’s Riverside development. The real story is how quickly Newton moved to review and approve the latest plan for Riverside. The…
On New Years Day at Newton City Hall, the newly elected and re-elected City officials, including the Mayor, City Councilors, and School Committee Members, were officially sworn in to their respective positions. All twenty-four City Councilors were present. Yet something peculiar happened with the School Committee. And it’s a given…
We are three student journalists from the Newton Chinese Language School, and we had the opportunity to speak with Mayor Laredo after his inauguration. During our conversation, we were pleased to hear him share several points that revealed his commitment to the community. First, Laredo highlighted the importance of local…
A mayoral election should be about bold vision and specific plans for our city’s future. Yet the Laredo campaign offered only Strategic Ambiguity; no promises, no firm commitments, and little more than the desire to be in charge. Mr. Laredo said “schools are the top priority,” despite previously stating that…
The recent approval of the Riverside project highlights an issue in how Newton approaches major developments. Rather than beginning with a clear, city-centric vision for what would best serve our long-term economic, social, and environmental goals, the process began — and largely stayed — with what developers proposed. Public debate…