Politics & Government

Alison Leary Announces Bid for Newton Ward 1 Alderman

Board of Aldermen President Scott Lennon currently holds the Ward 1 seat, but has announced he wil be running for Ward 1 alderman-at-large.

Chapel Street resident Alison Leary announced this week she is running for the Newton Ward 1 alderman seat currently held by Board President Scott Lennon.

Lennon, who has served as Ward 1 alderman for 11 years, announced last month his plans to run for the Ward 1 alderman-at-large seat left open after the death of Alderman Carleton Merrill.

In a press release issued Thursday, Leary highlighted her work as a member of the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club, as the co-chair for the Environmental Committee for the League of Women Voters Newton and as a member of the Newton Conservators Board of Directors.

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“My active involvement in Newton civic life has shown me that a committed group of individuals can have a tremendous positive impact on our city," Leary said in the press release. “I look forward to talking with Ward 1 residents over the next several months about the future of our city.”

Leary has also worked as an educator with the Massachusetts Audubon Society and as a case manager for a leading mental health and human services provider. She currently works part time for The Boston Globe as a digital products support specialist.

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If elected in November, Leary said she plans to focus on making sure residents "have access to top-notch public education. A mother of two Lincoln-Eliot Elementary students, Leary said schools are "the lifeblood of our community." 

In addition, Leary said she is interested in working on the city's open space, public safety and affordable housing.

“Though I have been impressed with the direction the city has been moving under the Warren administration, I have some concerns about the high cost of living in Newton undermining the diversity and stability of residents of more modest means,” Leary said in the press release.

With Leary declaring her candidacy it appears as though the Ward 1 alderman seat will have a contested race in November, as former Alderman Allan Ciccone Sr. announced late last month his plans to run for the Ward 1 seat as well.

Papers for the Nov. 5, 2013 municipal election will be available in City Hall on May 1 and must be signed and returned to the Election Commission by June 30.

The city's charter states that candidates running for alderman-at-large and School Committee must collect 150 signatures before the nomination papers are certified. Aldermen-at-large and School Committee seats are elected by all city voters.

Ward aldermen, who are only elected by residents in their home ward, must gather 50 signatures.

As for the Ward 1 alderman-at-large seat, the city will hold a special election on June 25. Papers for that race will be available Monday, April 8 and due on Tuesday, May 7.


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