Election Eve

Election Day is now just a day away.  In the past few months, we’ve had six different debates or candidate forums, and I’ve walked around the City and knocked the doors or rung the doorbell of over 1,500 voters.  This is on top of countless other individual or group meetings, not to mention the regular encounters around the City.

In each case, I’ve been thankful for the opportunity to talk to people about their thoughts, concerns, and hopes for our City.  I’ve also been thankful for the opportunity to share a little bit of my own experience and my own goals for the city:

• That we continue to keep our schools great, and appropriately fund both the buildings and the programs that keep it so,
• That we act in a fiscally responsible manner with the funds entrusted to us by the taxpayers, and that we invest in and run the City wisely,
• That we act to keep our community economically diverse, finding ways to produce affordable housing, and to keep living in Newton affordable for those already here,
• That we understand both the risks and the opportunities that regional development trends present, and that we approach development conversations in a more proactive manner,
  
• That we work to realize both the economic and community potential of our village centers, bringing together the landlords, businesses, and residents to make this happen,
• And that we do all of the above in a way that preserves the character, the quality of life, and the natural surroundings in a sustainable manner.

Most of the people I’ve had a chance to talk to have agreed with this vision, and have agreed to support me (and hold me accountable if elected!). 

It also seems a good time to pause, and thank all of the people who suggested that – if I really wanted to make a difference – I should run.  I also will at some point thank all of the incredible people who have been a part of the campaign in ways both major and minor over the past months.  It has been an incredible ride, and I look forward to working you all again on the other side.

Finally, a request: Please come out and vote on Tuesday.  We are a City of 83,000 and some 50,000 of those are registered voters.  However, the City projects that only a very small minority will come out and make their voice heard in this election, making each vote that much more significant in the overall count.  Please come out and play your part in choosing our City’s course.

Chris Steele is running for the city-wide office of Alderman at Large, Ward 5.  You can learn more at www.steele4newton.org or by contacting him at steelch@yahoo.com