Newton Republican City Committee Elects New Chairman, Officers

The following is a press release issued by the Newton Republican City Committee:

On Wednesday, June 8^th, the Newton Republican City Committee elected five new officers and the first new Chairman in 25 years. The group’s new chairman is Tom Mountain, a former columnist for the Newton TAB.

“The Newton GOP has been revitalizing itself,” Mountain said of the sweeping changes, characterized by the election of new members from Ward 3, 5 and 8 becoming officers.

A new dynamic of fresh faces, renewed spirit, and enthusiasm in the City Committee has been operating since Scott Brown’s election to the U.S. Senate, according to Mountain. Republicans who have swelled the committee’s ranks were inspired by Brown’s January 2010 victory and by the subsequent list of impressive GOP candidates who ran in November 2010.

“You can’t join a Sean Bielat or Mary Connaughton Campaign without meeting like-minded Newton Republicans,” explained Al Cecchinelli, who was re-elected to the City Committee as First Vice Chair. “And once you meet fellow GOP Newton volunteers, you’re likely to join them at the grassroots level.”

The transformation of the committee, however, was also a product of timing. John McDermott, who shepherded the City Committee as chairman for 25 years, was recently appointed by Mayor Setti Warren to the Newton Election Commission. McDermott therefore had to resign from his chairmanship.

“John has led this committee with fortitude, consistency, and great generosity,” Mountain said. “We are grateful to him and we know that he will continue to serve Newton faithfully at the Election Commission, and here, as a member of our committee.”

Mountain then reminded members that the Newton Republican City Committee has a long, distinguished history. The committee has elected such noted Republicans as Mayor Sinclair Weeks, Governor Leverett Salstonstall (former Newton Alderman) and US Senator Edward Brooke.

“But above all,” Mountain said, “Newton residents remember with fondness the greatest Newton mayor of our generation, Republican Teddy Mann. We are the party of Teddy Mann, and Newton can once again become a two-party town."

“More debate, dialogue, and democracy,” Mountain concluded, “will benefit us all.”

Brief profiles of the Newton GOP officers follow:

Tom Mountain, Chairman, has lived in Newton for 26 years. He is married and has three children. Tom was a columnist for the Newton TABand for Israel National News. He now writes for the Jewish Advocate and lives in Oak Hill, Ward 8.

Al Cecchinelli, 1^st Vice Chairman, is a life long Newton resident. He is a member of the Technical Vocational Advisory Committee forNewton schools and is the president of the Newton Taxpayers Association. Al is a chef by trade and a bar-certified attorney who lives in Nonantum. 

Susan Huffman, 2^nd Vice Chairman, moved to Newton in 1988 and is a business manager for a consulting firm in Brookline. Susan and her husband live in Ward 5 in Newton Upper Falls.

Robert Bombara, Treasurer, moved to Newton in 1988 and is an electrical engineer. Bob lives in Ward 3 with his wife and three children.

Anil Adyanthaya, Recording Secretary, is an attorney who has lived in Upper Falls (Ward 5) with his wife and daughter for five years.

Suzanne Szescila, Corresponding Secretary, worked mostly in high tech before teaching at Newton Community Education. She and her husband moved to Newton Highlands, Ward 8, in 1990.