A Brand New Year

For the past few weeks, our household has been adjusting to having a relatively new entity roaming the halls: A Highschooler.  While this young fellow (our son Simon) has been with us for almost 15 years, the transition is a new, big and exciting one.  Think about it this way, the next big transition will be college, likely involving him living somewhere else, and getting ready for – one hopes – an independent life.  And that transition is only four years away.  If middle school is any indication, those four years will be over before we’ve really come to grips with them starting. 

During that time, Simon is also likely to get his driver’s license, yet another step towards independence in the suburban world in which we live.   

Our younger child will be starting 4th grade at Angier.  Not so much a transition unless one realizes that this will be the very last year anyone studies at the beloved but decrepit A.E. Angier Elementary School.  Current plans have the building beginning to come down in July of 2014.  The teaching staff is already well aware of this deadline and is praying for as few snow days as possible!  The Angier project otherwise appears to be on track, though the community should continue to pay attention to the project and the budget to ensure that we get what we expected. 

This will be the case City-wide with all of the projects that we voted for as a City last March. In the case of the schools, I hope to be part of the partnership among the Board of Alderman, the School Committee, and the Mayor to make these projects move smoothly, wisely, and prudently.

Our household also has other new beginnings – notably my own candidacy.  While we have been very involved in campaigns in the past, this time we are truly committed and all are pitching in.  It’s a very new beginning for me as I have never done anything quite like this, but I am enjoying meeting voters across the City, putting forth my experience and my vision for what I think we can achieve together.  I also appreciate the chance to hear more about your ideas for what might work better, or what we need to work to preserve.

Truly, this time of year provides an excellent reminder that one can, and should, always seeking to learn!

Lastly, beginning on Wednesday night, many of us will be in temple celebrating the beginning of yet another new year.  It is a time of reflection and rededication as we contemplate the year to come.  I wish all of you the best at this time of year.  And for those celebrating, l’Shanah Tovah.

Chris Steele is running for the city-wide office of Alderman at Large, Ward 5.  You can learn more at www.steele4newton.org or by contacting him at steelch@yahoo.com