A mayoral candidacy should be about vision and specific plans for our city’s future. Yet, the Laredo campaign gave us only Strategic Ambiguity: no promises, no commitments, no plans. We heard vague ideas, but where are the concrete proposals?

There is no clear plan to fully fund our schools, which are the bedrock of our community. We’ve seen no strategy to tackle the escalating housing affordability crisis, which is forcing families out of the neighborhoods they love. There were no bold infrastructure initiatives presented to prepare our city for the decades ahead.

Instead of substance, after 25 years in city government we were offered a political philosophy that sounded like “my turn” and “I’m all you got.”

Mr. Laredo was the leader of the “no” block in City Council, consistently opposing progress without offering alternatives. Mr. Laredo never faced a contested race prior to this run, and without a serious contender he focused this time on shaping other races with endorsements and aid. The only indication of a plan seems to be the desire to surround himself with a group of loyalists and cronies. In his acceptance speech he thanked Hills, Norton, and Levy. The questions we have are: what, exactly, can Newton expect from Mr. Laredo? Against what should we hold him accountable? Is there more than just the desire of being in charge?

We expect more than the concept of a plan. We deserve leaders with a tangible vision and a detailed roadmap to achieve it. Plato warned, “Power should be confined to those who are not in love with it.”

Enrique Rosero
Newton Centre