An Open Letter to Newton Residents, Taxpayers & Voters from Bill Heck

From 2009 Mayoral Candidate William Heck

I urge you to vote in the Newton election on November 5th. Polls are open 7:00AM to 8:00PM.  

On every ballot, there is a line to write-in a name for every office. I encourage you to simply color-in the little oval to the left, and write-in Joshua Norman on the line for Mayor.  

When you consider the two current candidates for Mayor, remember that Newton now has more than a BILLION dollars of unfunded debt, obligations, and liabilities. Yes, you read it right – more than a Billion.  

If you find Newton’s billion dollar liability unacceptable, as I do, I hope you realize that both mayoral candidates are responsible for Newton’s growing debt. During the last four years, both of the candidates have been in charge of the City and the debt has grown to $1.16 billion.  

Frankly, voting for either Setti Warren or Ted Hess-Mahan is a wasted vote. I’m going to invest in the future by writing-in Joshua Norman. Joshua, who works as an investment analyst, is the new President of the Newton Taxpayers Association. He is smart, young, wise beyond his years, a fourth-generation Newtonian, and he intends to be involved with Newton politics for many years to come. Thank your lucky stars that someone who deals in facts cares about Newton’s future.  

Setti has been Mayor for four years, and Ted has been an Alderman for ten years. Together they have consistently sponsored, voted for, and supported unsustainable spending by increasing debt and unfunded future obligations. It is clear to me that their priorities do not include taxpayer concerns about fiscal responsibility. Think about this: The financial obligation of $1.16 billion means that the City has a virtual lien on every household in Newton in the amount of $38,103. Yes, each homeowner “owes” $38,103 to the City because Setti and Ted have been funding their spending with IOUs in the form of increased debt and future obligations for which you – the homeowners – are responsible.  

Four years ago, I ran for Mayor of Newton. Prior to my entering the race, there were four candidates in the preliminary election. The four candidates were like bobble heads in every debate, gleefully agreeing with each other that the new Mayor must do more with less. It was a media campaign of symbolism over substance; the news focused on groundbreaking prospects for the first African American or the first woman Mayor of Newton, while obscuring the discussion of fiscal responsibility.  

The reality is that symbolism has little relevance when it comes to substantive progress in dealing with the nuts and bolts of running a city: sewers, sidewalks, libraries, police, planning, zoning, fire and public safety, roads, water systems, schools, inspections, trash, recycling, parks, a couple thousand employees, labor agreements, etc. The unfortunate fact is that Setti and Ted took taxpayer dollars intended for important investments in maintenance, infrastructure, systems, and growth, and spent them elsewhere. Any solutions from Setti and Ted mean more overrides, more taxes, and more fees to pay for the things that taxpayers have already paid for several times over.  

The plain truth is that a group of us encouraged Joshua to run for Mayor in this election. Joshua can run laps around Setti and Ted because Joshua insists upon REAL facts, REAL consequences, and REAL debate in a campaign. Let’s face it, this mayoral campaign has been dull and hapless, and it is the unfortunate harbinger of what Newton can expect for the next four years.  

Although Joshua has not campaigned for Mayor, you have an option: Instead of holding your nose and voting for the status quo, take a deep breath, smile, and write-in Joshua Norman. It will make a strong statement about fiscal responsibility in Newton, and help you realize that we need a real choice.  

If you wish a PDF copy of this letter, please contact me at HeckYesNewton@aol.com.  

Best regards, Bill Heck