Letter to the Editor: Candidate Julie Irish too timid on housing
The Beacon's interview with City Council candidate Julie Irish notes that we are in the midst of “the biggest housing crisis in recent memory.” I [...]
Guest Essay: To increase voter turnout, Newton should move local elections to even-numbered years
It’s time for Newton to move to even-year elections. Only about 25% of Newton’s voters turned out to vote in 2023’s highly controversial municipal elections [...]
Guest Essay: With school budgets, Newton can learn from Somerville
To Newton’s present and future city leaders: What is your plan to resource and bring much-needed growth to our schools? As a longtime Newton resident [...]
Letter to the Editor: Antisemitism Commission recommendations story misleads
Dear Editor, Your August 11 article, “Leaders laud recommendations by antisemitism commission," misleads readers into thinking there is consensus support for the K-12 recommendations of [...]
Guest Essay: Endorsements may play outsized role in Newton’s local election
By Marcia Johnson In the upcoming 2025 Municipal Mayoral, City Council (CC) and School Committee (SC) elections, Newton voters will face a great challenge in [...]
Guest Essay: IHRA definition of ‘antisemitism’ is problematic
By Margaret Litvin The Massachusetts Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism has set its sights on public schools across our state. Some of their K-12 recommendations, [...]
Guest Essay: Clarifying the real issues in Newton’s development landscape
By Chris Steele Peter Harrington’s recent letter misses the mark (and continues to muddy an ongoing, challenging community discussion) by framing Greg Reibman’s suggestions as [...]
Letter to the Editor: Reibman essay lacked useful information
To The Newton Beacon Editor, In response to Greg Reibman's Guest Essay (July 18, 2025), what does one say? 'B S, be serious,' might be [...]
Guest Essay: An open letter to Zoning & Planning Committee Chair Lisle Baker
By Greg Reibman Dear Committee Chair Baker: As you know, the chamber was disappointed by your decision not to honor our request to speak with [...]
Guest Essay: The Paradox of Poverty Amidst Plenty
By Jeff Lemberg Martina is a mother of two who comes to the Newton Food Pantry twice a month to help stretch her grocery budget. [...]
Letter to the Editor: A solution for Nonantum’s Italian colors
In this age of divisiveness, how about we all take a deep breath, acknowledge a misstep regarding the paint-over in Nonantum, rise above the anger, [...]
Letter to the Editor: Clarifying about ‘Portrait of a Learner’
To the Editor, Regarding your profile of my candidacy in Ward 8 for School Committee, I appreciate your effort to introduce all candidates to the [...]
Letter to the Editor: City needs financial savvy, not DOGE-esque rhetoric
“In my 44 years [in government], this is the most irresponsible, destructive motion that I have ever seen,” said Finance Chair Gentile about the resolution [...]
Letter to the Editor: Coverage should reflect shooter’s history of threats
If Hayes had been Arab or Muslim, I suspect that your coverage of this story would have highlighted that Caleb is Jewish. But because Hayes, [...]
Letter to the Editor: Clarifying what ‘automatic enrollment’ means
Thank you for your coverage of the Newton School Committee council races this year, as in https://www.newtonbeacon.org/school-committee-candidates-talk-multi-level-classrooms-and-more/. I would like to add some important context and [...]