Meet the Candidates: Aldermen, Ward 6

A note for voters: Each Ward has two aldermen-at-large, which are voted on by everyone in the city. The Ward's one ward alderman, however, is elected only by the people in his/her ward. 

This year, the Ward 6 aldermen-at-large race is contested between three candidates: Vicki Danberg, Charlie Shapiro and Greg Schwartz. The ward alderman position is uncontested this year, with just incumbent Dick Blazar running for the seat again. 

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, starting with Ward 1 on Oct. 26. 

The election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8. 

Running for: Ward 6 alderman-at-large (incumbent)

Q: Why are you running for re-election? 

A: I'm focused on Newton. I’m committed to Newton. I’m asking Newton voters to “Vote Shapiro” and re-elect me to serve a second term on the Board of Aldermen so I may continue my work to make Newton a safer, healthier, greener, and more vibrant city for all generations to enjoy. I am especially proud of my successful work on the Newton Silver Alert, which helps keep those with Alzheimer’s safer. Info at http://voteshapiro.org/issues/silver-alert/. I’m also fully committed to education excellence, repairing our crumbling infrastructure, and providing resources for top notch teachers for students at all grade and ability levels. I’m doing the work. I’m enjoying the job. I’m proud to serve, and I look forward to the challenges ahead. 

Q: What is your background in local government or community involvement and how will it help you in this seat? Do you have other experiences that will help you in the position? 

A: I’m a third generation Newton resident and attended Newton Public Schools (Countryside, Meadowbrook/Brown, NSHS ‘78).  I have now served on the Board of Aldermen for 20 months. My dedicated work on sensible solutions to Newton’s challenges has earned me the public endorsement of over 150 well-respected community leaders, activists, teachers, friends, and neighbors representing diverse viewpoints. The research I do for my monthly program on NewTV helps inform residents on important issues.  I also hold monthly office hours at the Senior Center to hear directly from constituents, and I am happy to meet with groups or one to one with any residents who have issues or concerns. Residents can reach me at 617-964-1098, or Charlie@VoteShapiro.org, or via my web site at www.VoteShapiro.org. 

Q: With Newton facing several tough budget seasons in the recent past -- and likely several in the future -- what do you feel needs to be cut, added or changed in the budget to keep the city's finances balanced? 

A: By law, our budgets must be balanced. The key is how we prioritize. We must fully fund essential services including education, snow removal, road repairs, and general maintenance. I also support many of the recommendations of the Citizen Advisory Group and honoring sustainable contracts that respect our city employees – both current and retired. I’ll also push for more preventive maintenance to help protect our assets and reduce replacement costs. 

Q: What is the most important issue Newton faces today? 

A: The most important issue facing us is how to sensibly allocate resources to deliver the services we all expect (including educational excellence) in a thoughtful, cost-effective,  and productive way without shifting additional financial or physical burdens onto the backs of taxpayers. It’s important to recognize the needs of all our residents, especially seniors and veterans, and those who may be having difficulties in these challenging times.

Q: If elected, what is something you are going to focus on in your position for the next two years? 

A: Better traffic flow, safer streets, enhanced pedestrian and bike access, and improving the condition of our roads. I’ll also continue to press for more business-friendly policies to attract interesting new shops & restaurants to help generate new revenue and fund essential city services including the Newton Public Schools, while protecting & respecting the residential flavor of the city and the individual character of each village. Most importantly, I’ll continue to work hard making local government an advocate for every resident of every generation in our community.

Q: Name one thing the residents of Newton may not know about you. 

A: I provided the voice for the character of “Looner Bunny” in an animated public service announcement for Alex’s Lemonade Stand (seen locally on NewTV) to help raise funds to fight childhood cancer.

Running for: Ward 6 alderman-at-large

Q: Why are you running for this seat?

A: I am running because I am concerned about the future of Newton. Because of our budget squeeze, it becoming harder to maintain the quality of life Newtonites have come to expect. My three top goals are 1) to maintain excellence in education, 2) enhance and preserve Newton's environment, and 3) develop a clear, detailed plan for renovating and restoring Newton's crumbling infrastructure, including its schools, fire stations, and roads.

Q: What is your background in local government or community involvement and how will it help you in this seat? Do you have other experiences that will help you in the position? 

A: I have been active in politics and government my entire adult life. In Newton, I was a member of the School Committee's superintendent search committee that helped select Dr. David Fleishman as the new leader of Newton's public schools.  I am environmental chair of the Newton Democratic City Committee and am active in the local ward committee, serving as a delegate to the Democratic State Convention for a number of years. I have worked on political campaigns and in government, including for three members of Congress in Washington, D.C. I was an original co-signer of the citizen's petition to amend the Massachusetts state constitution to require the legislature to expand access to health insurance to all. I am a lawyer who worked to reduce tobacco consumption through public policy. And I currently serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Riverside Children's Center in Waban.

Q: With Newton facing several tough budget seasons in the recent past -- and likely several in the future -- what do you feel needs to be cut, added or changed in the budget to keep the city's finances balanced? 

A: As the Citizens' Advisory Group report advised in 2008, we should pursue a three-pronged strategy to get our fiscal house in order.  First, we must continue to cut expenditures, both through squeezing out waste and finding efficiencies, as well as negotiating contracts with both the City and School workforce that are sustainable, i.e. whose costs rise at less than 2.5% per year.  Second, we should encourage smart development projects that increase the commercial tax base while improving Newton's built environment, without negatively impacting the schools, inordinately increasing traffic congestion, or otherwise overstrain City services in Newton. Third, we need to comprehensively plan and prioritize needed repairs to Newton's infrastructure and then confront how we should finance such investments.

Q: What is the most important issue Newton faces today? 

A: Cuts to programs in the Newton schools and overcrowding in many of the elementary and middle schools.

Q: If elected, what is something you are going to focus on in your position for the next two years? 

A: Because of my background in health care (I work as a primary care doctor at Brigham and Women's Hospital and as a health policy analyst at Harvard Medical School), I hope I can help the Board of Aldermen and the city administration find savings in the $50 million health care budget (almost 15% of the entire budget).

Q: Name one thing the residents of Newton may not know about you. 

A: I lived in London for a year while working for a Member of Parliament.

Running for: Ward 6 alderman-at-large (incumbent)

Q: Why are you running for re-election? 

A: Newton is a wonderful place to live and I am dedicated to maintaining and improving the current high standards that make it a wonderful place. I am running for reelection so that I can continue to work to ensure a successful future for my city. I’m a very hardworking alderman; I see a problem, take it on and find a solution. I am excited about being able to continue to bring my vision for Newton to reality.

Q: What is your background in local government or community involvement and how will it help you in this seat? Do you have other experiences that will help you in the position? 

A: In my thirty five years in Newton, I have not only been an alderman since 2004, but I have also been deeply involved in neighborhood and citywide matters.  These include fundraising or board memberships for the Newton Cultural Alliance, Metco, the Boys and Girls Club, the Newton Schools Foundation, Newton Weston Wellesley Committee for Community Living, Can-Do and the Newton Historical Society. I have also served on the Vestry of Grace Church in Newton Corner. I have an MBA in management and finance.

Q: With Newton facing several tough budget seasons in the recent past -- and likely several in the future -- what do you feel needs to be cut, added or changed in the budget to keep the city's finances balanced? 

A: I would look to see what services are duplicated both in the city and in the region and work to combine those possible in order to maximize efficiency.

Q: What is the most important issue Newton faces today? 

A: Increasing Newton’s financial security and stability is of paramount importance to me, as well as safeguarding the continued excellence of our schools.

Q: If elected, what is something you are going to focus on in your position for the next two years? 

A: I shall focus on the above and also work to maintain public safety, to ensure careful commercial and residential development to enhance the diverse, multigenerational aspect of the city while preserving the uniqueness of our villages and to preserve and improve the high standards of accessibility and transparency in city government.

Q: Name one thing the residents of Newton may not know about you. 

A: Little known facts about me – I hold a pilot’s license, I taught in Bogotá, Colombia and am fluent in Spanish, and I’ve just rescued two wonderful spaniels, Jackson and Chelsea.

Running for: Ward 6 alderman (incumbent)

Q: Why are you running for re-election? 

A: I am running for re-election because I am just completing my first term and feel that after this steep learning curve, I can contribute toward making city government more responsive and creative in dealing with the serious financial problems we now face.  In addition, I enjoy meeting with the public and help resolving their issues.

Q: What is your background in local government or community involvement and how will it help you in this seat? Do you have other experiences that will help you in the position? 

A: I had no other experience in local government from an office-holding perspective. I was on the Board of Directors and President of the Newton Girls Soccer League and the New Art Center which gave me a lot of experience in helping to run non-governmental organizations and in dealing with the politics of these boards.

Q: With Newton facing several tough budget seasons in the recent past -- and likely several in the future -- what do you feel needs to be cut, added or changed in the budget to keep the city's finances balanced? 

A: Keeping the city's finances balanced in the midst of state and national budget cuts and a sluggish economy is brutal. I am most concerned about saving jobs for city workers and controlling health insurance costs. Pensions are a ticking time bomb as well as are the long-neglected infrastructure (water and sewer systems, roads, etc.) and the horrendus condition of some school and municipal buildings.

Q: What is the most important issue Newton faces today? 

A: ee my answer to No. 3--in one word "Money".

Q: If elected, what is something you are going to focus on in your position for the next two years? 

A: Two things- answering my constituents' needs and working on the cost of health insurance problem.

Q: Name one thing the residents of Newton may not know about you. 

A: I am a heavy Grateful Dead lover.

Interested in other aldermen candidates? Check out our other profiles:

Want to learn more about the School Committee candidates?

• Note: Ward 6 School Committee member Claire Sokoloff (running for re-election uncontested) did not answer the Patch questionnaire.