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While I value preserving the history of Newton, I also value the rights of the homeowner.
I do differentiate between a private homeowner and a business "house" owner. I also believe
that "significant structures and their important architectural features" should not be
determined simply by their age but I understand the need to use age as a trigger.
An amendment to change the "trigger" from 50 years to 100 years was denied in Spring of 2005,
however I believe a proposal to pinpoint houses constructed prior 1936 may overcome most of
those objections and would immediately address the current backlog.
However, the longer term issue is how to balance the rights of the private homeowner
with the desire of the community to preserve historical and neighborhood "look and feel".
At what point is the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness of
one being violated by that of another? I would suggest that if one is to allow community
input on such a costly endeavor, that there should be a community cost as well. I would
prefer to see incentives to encourage historical preservation rather than simply
restrictions and more regulations that cause friction.
Elected officials are in public service
Perhaps our elected officials should review what their role in the community is. The last time I checked
our constitution, we were a society that is to be governed by representatives of the people, elected by the people, to
act for the people. Our elected officials are public servants.
My view of public service is exactly that. It is a public service ... and while I don't think one should be put in the poor house while providing it, neither do I feel that an individual should be making an exceedingly comfortable living at it either.
There are single income households in Newton making less than what the mayor is making right now. And they can still afford to live in Newton (without any government subsidies). I see no reason why an elected public servant should make that much more than what is necessary. They should be compensated, sure! But we do not need to be competitive with private industry.
The mayor's job is NOT a career, it is supposed to be a public service provided by a private individual taking some time out of his/her normal citizen's life to help his/her community. It surely won't look bad on the resume, but salary wise? It should be enough to live modestly.
Size of the Board of Alderman
The size of the Board of Alderman has been in discussion for years. The real issue is "what is the role of the Alderman"?
There are many ways to organize a community. But regardless whether we choose to have a City Council, a Board of Alderman or a Town Committee, the
role that we're trying to fill is the same.
We are looking for select set of individuals who can represent the needs and interests of the general population
and can provide leadership in the community so that all the members of the community can live harmoniously.
It goes without saying that these individuals should
function as cost effectively as possible, as a service to the community. And, as a burden, these roles should be shared
amongst all the people in the community.
Newton currently seems to be in exactly the wrong position. We have twenty four part-time paid Aldermen. We have nearly 90,000 residents in our City,
can 24 people at a part time basis truly represent all of us at the personal level expected for a municipal government? But if we pay our Alderman, how can we
afford more?
We are caught in the worst of both worlds and we need to move toward one or the other. We either have fewer Alderman paid at a higher rate (e.g. 8 Ward Alderman
each at 30% Mayor's salary) and consider it a full time job, or at least a primary job, or we have many more Alderman representing smaller districts and working
part time and unpaid except for reimbursements for on the job expenses. In either case, we would save the City money and get more efficiency and service
out of the governing body.
I am considering a run for Alderman-at-Large and I would be willing to live by those conditions. I'd either vote myself out of a potential job for the good of a
smaller more focused group of Aldermen, or I'd vote myself out of steady stipend for the effectiveness of a larger group of unpaid public servants.
Newton transportation needs more respect
Every community has traffic concerns. Transportation is important
and has an effect on everyone in Massachusetts, but because
of Newton's unique location in this state, we have a higher
stake than most on the policies that get passed. Because we
are in direct line of access into the city for the western
suburbs and connect the North Shore to the South Shore, we
can provide key perspectives to getting around in Massachusetts.
My opponent thinks that transportation in Newton is just fine
the way it is.
From missing traffic lights (in Newton Corner) to an overkill
of traffic lights (in West Newton), commuter rails to taxis,
parking lots to highways ... Newton has a lot of traffic issues.
Why does the commuter rail that runs through Newton all day
long only stop in Newton in the morning and evenings? Why
is the T fare in Newton twice that of Brookline only a couple
stops away? Why is it so hard to get a sound barrier for a
neighborhood known to be amongst the top 10 noisiest neighborhoods
resulting from traffic in all of Massachusetts? In the last
decade, we've only managed to get a token gesture toward a
study for handicap access on the green line, and even so,
only with the assistance of a U.S. Congressman.
We need a direct voice on the Transportation Committee. Not
only to bring attention to core transporation issues in Newton,
but also to stay in touch with the transportation issues in
other communities that will most likely than not, affect the
people of Newton.
Pro-active Community Outreach
I recently went to visit an elderly home. The residents there
told me how much they appreciated that I physically went to
them to listen to their concerns. Besides going door to door
of each house, I have been contacting all the various living
facilities and community centers to give them all an opportunity
to have access to me. I will not sit back and wait for people
to contact me.
This is how a state representative brings the government to
her district. This is how a state representative can bring
her district to the State House. It is the job of the legislator
to enable the people of the district to continue functioning
as private individuals, yet still be able to be responsible
citizens.
Healthy businesses mean a healthier
economy
A report card recently released by the Associated Industries
of Massachusetts (A.I.M.)
noted that, in the past decade, our legislators have been
attacking our businesses, driving them either out of business
or out of the state. In fact, Rep. Khan received a failing
grade having achieved a 33% approval rating.
Our unemployment laws and eligibility requirements are way
out of line with those of other states, making it more attractive
to do business in those other states. The unbalanced shift
of property taxes to commercial and industrial taxpayers from
residents further hurts our businesses, pushing them to move
elsewhere.
Without businesses, where will all the jobs come from? Without
jobs, from where would our income come?
We must strive for harmony in a community of businesses, residents
and workers to attract businesses to come and stay in Massachusetts.
A friendlier business climate means a healthier economy. A
healthier economy means a better life for everyone. A better
life, means happier and more productive workers for businesses.
It all comes full circle.
English Proficiency, Language Diversity
It is a fact that the more proficient you are in English,
the more opportunities you will have in this English speaking
country known as the USA. That is a fact.
However, I do not believe that English immersion is the best
method to achieve this goal (especially by the time children
are old enough to be in Kindergarten) and I do not believe
that bilingual education would achieve this goal either.
I would support a strong ESL program and support system that
strives to make English a first language for all children
(including native English speaking Americans who need to be
more proficient in English). Making English proficiency a
requirement would benefit all students. I would also pair
this program with access to non-English languages as a second
language at all levels of school (K-12). This can only strengthen
our schools and improve the pool of foreign language and culture
experience in our community and ultimately improve our interactions
with foreign countries. We can look to our immigrant community
for support on this while we provide support to be more proficient
in English.
Throughout the world, people are able to learn to speak more
than one language, literate and illiterate people alike. Why
is it so hard to believe that an American can as well? I was
born and raised American. English is most definitely my first
language. My parents did not listen to my teachers back then
and continued to teach me and speak to me in Chinese at home.
As a result, I am 100% American and yet I have the rich experience
of direct insight to my ethnic heritage. It helps me be a
stronger American and I am able to pass along my experience
to my children.
Rebuilding the Multi-generational Community
Throughout history and across cultures, the strength of community
has been within the generations. The wisdom of experience,
the energy and hardwork of maturity and the hope and promise
of the future. Elders. Adults. Children. This natural order
and symbiotic relationship between the generations is at the
root of the Chinese family, as it once was in many cultures.
Some how, some where along the way, we Americans have strayed
from this integrated community. We separate out "elderly concerns"
from "childraising" issues and put our elders in homes and
keep children away from the workplace. We then categorize
the population into "givers" and "takers" when instead, we
ought to be a community where we are all "givers" and "takers"
in our own way.
We have so much to learn, to gain and to thank our elders,
the senior citizens of our community. Why do we deny ourselves
of their wisdom?
The burden of our society rests on the working adults in our
community. Acknowledge this service with gratitude.
The future and hope of our future is with the children. They
will eventually be the ones to carry the burden of society.
It is in the best interests of the entire community to see
that they are as prepared as possible to inherit that responsibility.
To this end, I will continue to promote programs that integrate
the community at large with the elderly communities through
social action groups, girl scouts and boy scouts. I will also
continue to advise and encourage family friendly work environments
and work environment friendly families.
My vision is to rebuild strong multi-generational, all inclusive
communities. Self-sustaining communities, that would look
more to each other for support and require less of the state
to intervene.
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