A note for voters: Each Ward has two aldermen-at-large, which are voted on by everyone in the city. The Ward's one ward alderman, however, is elected only by the people in his/her ward. 

This year, the Ward 7 aldermen-at-large race is uncontested with incumbent Ruthanne Fuller running for her seat again and former School Committee member Marc Laredo running for the seat vacated by Sydra Schnipper. Incumbent Ward 7 Alderman Lisle Baker is running for his seat uncontested. 

Newton Patch posed six questions to all 38 candidates running in this year's election, regardless of whether the race was contested. We will be running the profiles by Ward, starting with Ward 1 on Oct. 26. 

The election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8. 

Marc Laredo

Running for: Ward 7 alderman-at-large

Q: Why are you running for this seat? 

A: I am running for the Board of Alderman because I care deeply about the city, having grown up in Newton and attended its public schools, as have our three children. I believe that my experience, leadership, and judgment will enable me to help meet the challenges and opportunities that we face.  

Q: What is your background in local government or community involvement and how will it help you in this seat? Do you have other experiences that will help you in the position? 

A: I served eight years on the School Committee and was elected Vice Chair and then Chair of the Committee. As a member of the School Committee, I was involved in important and difficult decisions, including leading the committee as it chose an interim Superintendent, appointing the Search Committee that led to the selection of the current Superintendent, grappling with constrained budgets, and serving as a member of the collective bargaining negotiating team.  

In addition to serving on the School Committee my record of community service includes:

• Member of the Board of Trustees at Temple Emanuel and co-chair of the Temple’s Nominating and Governance Committee;
• Former chair of the Ward 7 Democratic Committee;
• Former political action co-chair for the Ward School PTO
• Youth soccer coach.

I have practiced law in Boston for over 25 years, including serving early in my career as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Bureau of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. I am a founding partner of the Boston law firm of Laredo & Smith, LLP, where I concentrate my practice in the areas of business litigation and general business law. I have served in leadership roles in professional affairs, including as the Book Review Editor of the Massachusetts Law Review and as an active member of the Massachusetts Bar Association (including co-chair of this year’s Law Day program). I have published articles for the Massachusetts Law Review and other publications and spoken at numerous continuing legal education programs. I am listed as a “Super Lawyer” by Boston Magazine and am AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, its highest legal rating for attorneys.

Q: With Newton facing several tough budget seasons in the recent past -- and likely several in the future -- what do you feel needs to be cut, added or changed in the budget to keep the city's finances balanced? 

A: We must acknowledge the fiscal constraints within which we operate.  This means making sure that our budget is balanced, our reserves are properly funded, and that we have sufficient money for capital expenditures. It also means making tough choices when faced with competing interests and needs. In order to fund our infrastructure needs, provide a first rate education and pay for the services that we want, we need to increase our commercial tax base. Smart growth, with an emphasis on the word “smart,” is critical to this effort. 

Q: What is the most important issue Newton faces today? 

A: Aside from the constant need to have financial accountability and sustainability, our most critical need is to improve our infrastructure: our public buildings (especially our school buildings), streets, sidewalks, water and sewer systems, and playgrounds and other recreational facilities. There are four key components to this effort: planning (to identify needs and priorities); funding (including proper assessment of costs and identification funding sources) before construction; implementation; and maintenance after construction is completed.  The most difficult component is funding. We must have candid discussions and build consensus about the need for this work and the revenue required to get it done.

Q: If elected, what is something you are going to focus on in your position for the next two years? 

A: As an Alderman, my primary goals will be to promote financial sustainability and accountability; improve the city’s infrastructure; ensure that students continue to receive a first rate education; and promote diversity and civic pride within our city.

Q: Name one thing the residents of Newton may not know about you. 

A: I worked at the Pewter Pot Restaurant in Newtonville (no longer there) and for the Newton Recreation Department when I was a teenager.

Ruthanne Fuller

Running for: Ward 7 alderman-at-large (incumbent)

Q: Why are you running for re-election? 

A: I am running for re-election as Alderman at Large in Newton’s Ward 7 because I believe that the City of Newton needs to implement significant changes. With an energized Board of Aldermen working with our Mayor, Newton can continue to provide services that strengthen the community. However, this requires an economic plan for the City’s future consistent with both the values of its citizens and a sober analysis of available resources. 

Q: What is your background in local government or community involvement and how will it help you in this seat? Do you have other experiences that will help you in the position? 

A: I am in my first term as Alderman at Large, Ward 7. Prior to that, I served as the Vice-Chair of the City of Newton Citizen Advisory Group, 2008-2009. The CAG defined choices about municipal and educational service levels and made recommendations for improving Newton’s operational efficiency and effectiveness and increasing revenues. I also served on Newton’s Blue Ribbon Commission on the Municipal Budget, 2006-2007 and as the President of the Chestnut Hill Association from 2004 – 2009.

Q: With Newton facing several tough budget seasons in the recent past -- and likely several in the future -- what do you feel needs to be cut, added or changed in the budget to keep the city's finances balanced? 

A: We need to (1) increase the productivity of our municipal government, especially through the creative use of technology, and consolidation, outsourcing and regionalization; (2) invest more to restore our crumbling school and municipal buildings, roads, equipment and parks; (3) pursue “smart growth” development opportunities that ensure the economic vitality and diversity of our commercial centers while preserving our residential neighborhoods; and (4) moderate the growth in all aspects of the City’s costs, reducing the scope of services where appropriate .

Q: What is the most important issue Newton faces today? 

A: In this period of high aspirations and limited resources, Newton needs to be clear about its goals, put resources towards the highest priorities — schools, fire and police, roads and parks, and neighborhoods — and measure the results relentlessly.

Q: If elected, what is something you are going to focus on in your position for the next two years? 

A: 

• Providing strong financial management
• Increasing the productivity of our government
• Investing in our infrastructure

Q: Name one thing the residents of Newton may not know about you. 

A: We have two wonderful dogs, a 9-month old (Argus) and an 11-year old (Zoe) – both American Pointers

Lisle Baker

Running for: Ward 7 alderman (incumbent)

Q: Why are you running for re-election? 

A: I want to continue to serve my constituents in Ward Seven as well as throughout the City.

Q: What is your background in local government or community involvement and how will it help you in this seat? Do you have other experiences that will help you in the position? 

A: I have served for over twenty-five years in this role, including six as president of the Board of Aldermen. This experience, and the knowledge of the City acquired in the process, has given me the ability to assist citizens with problems and to help with issues City-wide, as well as in my Ward.

Q: With Newton facing several tough budget seasons in the recent past -- and likely several in the future -- what do you feel needs to be cut, added or changed in the budget to keep the city's finances balanced? 

A: The Mayor asked the Board of Aldermen to vote money to begin funding three-year collective bargaining agreements with the municipal unions. While he deserves credit for reaching settlements that involved greater sharing of the cost of health insurance, the forecast provided by his Chief Financial Officer predicted that to pay for them, the City would still need an additional $2 million each year for the next several years above what the City can reasonably expect in new revenues. I felt I could not vote for these contracts without a better understanding of where the additional funds needed to make up this shortfall would come from, which ultimately is the Mayor’s to recommend

Q: What is the most important issue Newton faces today? 

A: How to provide the quality of educational and municipal services we value with limited resources.

Q: If elected, what is something you are going to focus on in your position for the next two years? 

A: I expect to continue to try to help make Newton government understandable, as I have with the series of interviews with colleagues and citizens on NewTV, “Aldermen at Work” (also available on line at www.aldermenatwork.org). I also want to continue to work to improve the ways we guide how land is used, including protecting our open spaces and historic resources. 

Q: Name one thing the residents of Newton may not know about you. 

A: I co-authored a small book with my wife, illustrated by our daughter, entitled “Better an In-Law than an Outlaw: A Visiting Parent’s Guide.”

Interested in other aldermen candidates? Check out our other profiles:

• Ward 1: Carleton Merrill, Janet Sterman, Allan Ciccone
• Ward 2: Stephen Linsky and Marcia Johnson
• Ward 3: Ted Hess-Mahan and Greer Tan Swiston
• Ward 4: Jay Harney and Amy Mah Sangiolo
• Ward 5: Deborah Crossley and Brian Yates
• Ward 6: Charlie Shapiro, Greg Schwartz, Vicki Danberg and Dick Blazar
• Ward 8: David Kalis, Mitch Fischman, Tom Sheff and Cheryl Lappin

Want to learn more about the School Committee candidates?

• Ward 1: Geoff Epstein
• Ward 2: Jonathan Yeo and Margaret Albright
• Ward 3: Angela Pitter-Wright
• Ward 4: Josh Krintzman and Diana Fisher Gomberg
• Ward 5: Sue Rosenbaum
• Note: Ward 6 School Committee member Claire Sokoloff (running for re-election uncontested) did not answer the Patch questionnaire.
• Ward 7: Matt Hills
• Ward 8: Margie Ross Decter