VOTE Tuesday, November 8th!

Newton's Next Mayor

Newton TAB Endorsement
November 2, 2005

For 34 years - first as an alderman, then on Beacon Hill and now as mayor - David Cohen has been a tireless servant for our city. He has fought for our well being and our bottom line. He has defended our reputation whenever outsiders have sought to ridicule our beliefs or politics. And heís managed some minor miracles, including his efforts last year to obtain $46.5 million in state aid to build a new high school.

For that - and for many more reasons - every resident, every business owner and everyone else who loves Newton, owes David Cohen a debt of gratitude.

But residents do not owe David Cohen their vote next Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Elections need to about the future. Elections are not an exercise for showing thanks and appreciation.

We believe that David Cohen has already given Newton the very best he has to offer. We believe Newton needs a new mayor.

Cohenís second term has been fraught with mistakes and lost opportunities. Once a uniter, he has either lost his ability or his desire to bring people together. Aldermen complain that he rarely consults with them. After a divisive override election, he did little to heal wounded feelings. When he needed to hire a project manager to oversee Newton North, he rehired the firm that bungled Newton South.

Our police feel he turned his back on them when he hired a outsider to be their chief. Our firefighters are still locked in a contract dispute thatís drowning in bitterness and hard feelings. And he has walled himself off from the public by hiring PR specialists who seem to orchestrate his every move.

Cohen has also failed to change with the times. When it comes to offering city services online, Newton remains in the dark ages. When it comes to dealing with revenue shortages, Cohen offers only one solution: beg for more state aid. When it comes to offering new ideas and programs, he is quick to dismiss others - but slow to offer any of his own.

That of course, raises this question: But if the TAB doesnít think I should vote for David Cohen, who should I vote for? Surely not Mike Striar?

Itís true that Mike Striar is not the ideal person to be Newtonís next mayor. He made a fool of himself when he advocated shooting coyotes. His early stump speeches showed he didnít understand how Newton works. His vow to lock out the Board of Alderman wonít result in reducing the board. His voluntary sales tax plan seems dubious.

But at least Striar is looking at the problems our city faces with a fresh perspective. At least Striar wants to find alternatives to state aid. At least Striar is willing to force the aldermen into addressing the voters about the reducing the board.

If you formed your impressions of Striar more than one year ago, we urge to take another look. We urge you to watch the mayoral debate on NewTV. We urge you to call him up or stop at one of his public appearances this week and listen with fresh ears.

You will find that in the two-plus years Striar has been running for mayor, that he has matured significantly. You will find that he has learned a great deal about our city and our problems. You will find a man who has shown far more civility and ability to get over grudges than our current chief executive. You will find a man who knows heís going to have to reach out across this city to get things done. You will find a man who freely admits that some of his early ideas wonít work but believes in the power of brainstorming. You will find a man that probably really would accept David Cohenís offer to help Mayor Striar if he wins.

Striar grew up in Newton. He has children in our public schools, even though he could afford to send them elsewhere. Heís an involved parent and devoted citizen. He doesnít need this job and says he chose to run out of frustration with the way our city has been run. We doubted his sincerity at first, as did many. But weíve come to believe him. Striar knows he will have a lot to learn if he is elected. But he has proven to be a quick learner and a good listener.

Compare that to David Cohenís past two years and you will find a leader who has become defensive, isolated and lacking in new ideas.

The TAB believes Newton needs to thank David Cohen for 34 years of public service. We know he loves our city. Someday, we should name the new Newton North after him.

But we also believe Newton now needs a new mayor. We urge voters to elect Mike Striar on Tuesday Nov. 8.

Newton Tab