Candidate Profile: Andreae Downs, Ward 5 Councilor-At-Large

NEWTON, MA — Andreae Downs is running for reelection against Deborah Crossley and Rena Getz for Ward 5 Councilor-At-Large. There are 20 people vying for the 16 Councilor-At-Large seats on the Newton City Council in the Nov. 2 municipal election, as well as contested races for Ward Councilor, mayor, and school committee.

Newton Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles this week.

Downs has been the Director of the Wastewater Advisory Committee for 10 years. She also has 30 years experience as a community and freelance journalist.

Are you running for office in Newton? Contact Annie Sandoli at annie.sandoli@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Newton Patch.

Campaign website

www.andreae4newton.com

Age (as of Election Day)

60

Position Sought

City Councilor, at-large, Ward 5

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

My husband and I raised 2 daughters in Newton, both in their 20s, now living outside Newton. My brother and his family also live here.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

I work for the Wastewater Advisory Committee to the MWRA, which is semi-governmental

Education

BA

Occupation

10 years in current post, director of the Wastewater Advisory Committee. 30 years experience as a community and freelance journalist

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently City Councilor

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking re-election because there is still much work to do on my priority items. I enjoy serving the community which gave us so much over the 30 years we have lived here.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Preparing Newton for the future.
That means–
1. Protecting our schools’ quality and attractiveness.
2. Fiscal stability, including repairing our roads and buildings–but ensuring that we incorporate needed changes (sustainability, durability, climate readiness, safety) in doing so. Also making it easier to open a small business here.
3. Community sustainability–finding ways to make Newton affordable to younger families, creating the physical and social structures for new connections, ensuring all our residents are safe and feel safe.
4. Adaptation to climate change–including flooding and heat.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have more expertise on transportation and parking than most of my colleagues. Also, because I chair the Public Safety Committee of Council, I have engaged more deeply on police matters than most on Council or my challenger. Looking at the larger picture and learning everything I can about possible solutions is how I approach issues.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

n/a

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

This was an unprecedented crisis that demanded state and national, science-based leadership. Both failed us and local officials did the best they could with limited information. City Council, led by the mayor, did what we could to support our neediest in a time of crisis, and then to roll out health measures. We also supported the refurbishment of school HVAC systems to ensure that a return to in-person learning would be as safe as possible

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

1. Support for our public schools
2. Building and re-building community as we emerge from the pandemic and face new challenges
3. Reducing the unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles homeowners and new businesses face
4. Efficient reconstruction of streets designed for transit, biking and walking as well as vehicle safety.
5. Police transparency and reform
6. Building a new senior center

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In the last two terms I have:
--Worked to improve large projects before Council by reducing their impact on climate and traffic while adding affordable housing
--Pushed for a more expansive Climate Action Plan and supported higher efficiency standards and reduced transportation emissions
--Supported Newton restaurants and businesses by helping to open up parking space dining & sidewalk retail
--Docketed bike lanes for Beacon and Parker Streets.
--Supported restrictive gun store zoning
--Supported increasing the percentage of affordable units in new developments
--Advocated for a data-based sidewalk prioritization plan
--Fought MBTA cuts of the 52 bus, Green line and Worcester line
--Got the southern Sudbury Aqueduct open for walking; also more safe walking spaces on the Carriage Lane and Albemarle Road
--Raised funds and advocated for maintenance of trails in Cold Spring Park
--Promoted Newton's adoption of Complete Streets, which has meant over $400K in state grant funds
--Advocated for opening the Christina Street Bridge
--Worked on visions for Washington and Needham streets

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Pursue a career you love enough you would do it for free