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…
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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…
Newton’s government process looks open — but too often, it isn’t. By the time most residents learn about a proposal, the real decisions have already been shaped behind the scenes. Projects advance to committees and boards with limited public notice or input, and by the time they reach the City…
The City Council is preparing to vote on Newton’s Walk, Roll & Bike Network Plan — yet there has never been a formal public hearing on the final version. For a plan that could reshape traffic, parking, and neighborhood access across the city, residents deserve the chance to see and comment on what’s…
This Kwanzaa, I am reminded that the most meaningful gifts don’t come wrapped in ribbons but from the heart and from community. For the past few years, I’ve had the honor of working with the New Art Center as an Expressive Therapy Teacher for neurodivergent adults. Teaching this class has…
The Newton City Council should not approve the Walk, Roll & Bike Network Plan on November 17 and should instead schedule a new public hearing on the final version. While the goal of improving safety and mobility is shared across our community, residents have not yet been given the opportunity…
In this week’s election one of the groups that will be most affected didn’t even get to vote! Like me! I am a Newton Public Schools middle schooler and I use the city’s fields and libraries and parks but don’t get to make any decisions about them. But I have…