2011 Newton Municipal Election

A Guide to the Fall 2011 Newton Municipal Election

Everything you need to know before voting tomorrow.

After months of campaigning and debate, Newton voters will head to the polls tomorrow to elect new members to the Board of Aldermen and School Committee.  Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (locations listed below) Newton Patch will be live tomorrow with coverage from the polls and results at the end of the night courtesy of the Newton Election Commission. Make sure to check back and let us know how the polls are looking and your thoughts on the winners.  Information to review before tomorrow: Aldermen: School Committee: Check out the .pdf section above to see samples of the ballots for tomorrow's election.  Below is a list of the polling locations for the city. Check out the Election Commission's handy tool to find what ward and …

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2011 Newton Municipal Election

Challenger, Two Incumbents Face off in Ward 6 Race

Greg Schwartz is challenging incumbents Charlie Shapiro and Vicki Danberg in the Ward 6 alderman-at-large race.

Newton voters on Tuesday will decide whether to keep both seated Ward 6 aldermen-at-large — Charlie Shapiro and Vicki Danberg — or elect challenger Greg Schwartz to one of those seats. Schwartz, who has been involved with politics and policy his all of his adult life, including working for two congressmen and a senator in Washington, D.C., he said, hopes to bring a new voice to the board — that of a parent and doctor. “I decided to run because I’m very concerned for the future of Newton,” he said, noting he’s a parent of two young children. “It’s a very disturbing future.” The city needs to work on building maintenance, especially where it has been deferred; deal with current overcrowding of schools and rising enrollment numbers; and find …

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2011 Newton Municipal Election

Meet the Candidates: School Committee, Ward 2

Meet the School Committee candidates from Ward 2: Jonathan Yeo and Margaret Albright.

A note for voters: Each ward has one School Committee representative, which is an at-large position, meaning it is voted on by everyone in the city. This year, the Ward 2 School Committee race has two candidates: Jonathan Yeo and Margaret Albright. 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 each day, starting Oct. 26. The election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.  Running for: Ward 2 School Committee seat (incumbent) Q: Why are you running for re-election? A: I am running for re-election to the School Committee because I am passionate about excellence in Newton Public Schools and feel that my experience, skills and…

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Melanie Graham

1:59 pm on Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thanks for your comment, Emily. I'm happy to be able to help out the Newton voters!   more ›

2011 Newton Municipal Election

Meet the Candidate: School Committee, Ward 1

Learn more about School Committee candidate Geoff Epstein before the Newton Municipal Election on Nov. 8

A note for voters: Each ward has one School Committee representative, which is an at-large position, meaning it is voted on by everyone in the city. This year, the Ward 1 School Committee race has just one candidate: Geoff Epstein. Newton Patch posed six questions to all 38 candidates running in this year's election, regardless of whether the race was contested. Check out our story here on the Ward 1 aldermen candidates.  The election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.  Running for: Ward 1 School Committee seat (incumbent) Q: Why are you running for re-election?  I’m running for re-election because after a year of recovery under Jim Marini as superintendent and a year of restructuring and team building under David Fleishman as superintendent, …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Think Carefully About Your School Committee Vote

Newton resident and blogger Emily Norton gives her support for Margaret Albright, Steve Siegel and Josh Krintzman.

I consider myself a close observer of Newton school issues. I attend School Committee meetings and blog about them at www.greatnewtonschools.org. As a mom of three boys and an alum of the Newton schools myself, I am concerned about the direction our schools are headed. Over 20% of Newton third graders are not proficient readers; our math curriculum drives thousands of parents to enroll their children in private math schools; NPS runs a deficit every year, requiring layoffs, program cuts and increased fees on families; class sizes are overcrowded and growing more so every year; buildings are in disrepair and growing worse every year. The Newton schools were not always this way, and I think with proper leadership they can be returned to …

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Appeals Court Dismisses Challenge to Yeo's Candidacy

The appeals court dismissed a challenge made by Peter Harrington and other Newton residents.

The Massachusetts Appeals Court has dismissed a request challenging Jonathan Yeo's candidacy for Ward 2. According to the docket for the case, the appeals court dismissed a request to reconsider a decision made last week to allow Yeo to run.  The decision was filed yesterday, Oct. 20, according to the docket.  Last week, the appeals court ruled that Yeo could run on the November 8 municipal election ballot for the Ward 2 School Committee seat. The decision came after a Yeo appealed a Middlesex Superior Court decision that he could not run in the election.  Yeo, who is presently the Ward 4 School Committee member, recently moved to Newtonville, in Ward 2. With current Ward 2 member Reenie Murphy reaching her term limit, Yeo intended to …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Pitter-Wright has Keen Understanding of Newton Schools' Challenges

A letter in support of Angela Pitter-Wright for the Ward 3 School Committee seat.

In a time when more and more people are choosing not to get involved with local, state or federalgovernment I am encouraged to write in support of the candidacy of Angela Pitter-Wright for theNewton School Committee. I have known Angela and her family for most of the twenty years they haveresided in Newton. Angela is a living example of how a good education can make all things possible inone’s life. She is the daughter of immigrant parents who came to this country for more opportunity forthemselves and their children. Angela grew up in the Bronx borough of New York and with the supportof her parents, caring teachers she excelled in her academic growth and attended one of the mostprogressive and challenging high schools in the country. Now …

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Support a Newton Candidate? Send Us Your Letters!

The fall municipal election is Nov. 8, so share your opinions soon!

With the Nov. 8 municipal election quickly approaching, we here at Newton Patch want to hear what Newton residents think of local candidates.  Sending a letter to the editor is a great way to show your support for a candidate. Share your opinions, spark conversation and potentially gain some votes for who you think should be in office.  You can email your letters to Local Editor Melanie Graham at Melanie.Graham@patch.com. We ask that all letters be in by Fri., Nov 4. Please make sure to include your name and where in Newton you live.

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