Main points for Mayor-Elect Warren on Community Life
1. Provide as many ways for citizens to come together as possible. The quality of community life in Newton hinges on our very sense of “community”—the more vehicles for citizen interactions, the better. A major goal should be to create formal and informal touch points for affiliations among our residents.
Promote pride, inclusion, and civility. Develop a sense of ownership and pride in the city. Promote tolerance and acceptance (Inclusive Schools Weeks is a good example). Sometimes there is not an expectation that the dialogue will be civil—there can be a sense of entitlement. We need a higher level of thinking about what’s best for the city—consideration of the whole of the city over the parts.
Village life—build on the strength of villages. Need a vision of what villages should be and what the city should be. Ensure all villages have a “signature” attribute—perhaps village-based commerce, a library or community center, and/or a park. Not all villages need everything, but every village needs something. Village centers are where residents have informal and unscheduled meetings/interactions, helping to build social networks that can be leveraged for civic engagement. Build relationships across villages, too—focus on village life, but not at the expense of the whole of Newton.
Ensure we have amenities/programs that accommodate/appeal to diverse groups. We want to be a community that is appealing to people of diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and life stage (singles, empty nesters, seniors, families). We want Newton to be affordable and allow people to age comfortably in our city and provide housing opportunities and amenities to keep “empty-nesters” in the city.
Programming for citizen interactions. We need programs that support people coming together: volunteerism for people to feel engaged, interfaith and intergenerational initiatives, community centers, senior centers, youth programming, libraries, etc. Support places where people can casually run into one another and strengthen networks. We have a large number of boards and commissions already—we can build on these existing networks by energizing people to get involved (particularly, encourage those who became involved in the mayoral election for the first time to dedicate their energies to service).
Physical infrastructure for citizen interactions. Maintain playgrounds and parks for citizens and their pets. Local traffic patterns do not support cohesiveness in the city (road rage, isolation). Walk-ability, bike-ability, and better public transportation will help improve access for all.
Encourage a sense of responsibility to the greater community. Recognize our relationship to other cities. Newton is a great community because of its proximity to Boston. We could do a better job of sharing our human capital with our urban neighbors.
2. Leverage existing resources in Newton. Challenging fiscal times necessitate creative approaches to strengthening our community life. Citizens, non-profits, local businesses, and institutions should be approached to support our city.
Bring our brainpower together for smart strategies
Colleges/universities can serve as cultural, educational centers
Continue to support the work of non-profits, as they supplement city services
Encourage institutions in the city (universities, businesses) to engage and support civic activities in a positive way (monetary, infrastructure)
Engage in responsible development—have more holistic planning in the city
Much of our public space is created/maintained by village center businesses—continue to encourage this (possibly with Business Improvement Districts)
3. Improve communication as a two-way street between citizens and administration. A more collaborative relationship between residents and City Hall will build trust and goodwill, encourage civic engagement, and create a sense of community ownership. We want to be supportive of the Mayor as he begins the reality of governing—partnering early is a priority.
Lack of openness from City Hall leads to citizens disengaging from civic life.
When input is given by citizens, it’s important that people feel their time is well spent.
When citizens are well informed, there is less fear of change—we are at a juncture where we can look for opportunity in change
Desire for opportunities for interpersonal communications with Mayor (“open hours” and “house parties” throughout the city).
Better partnership between citizens and city workers could result in improved city services.
Communicate (post) ways in which people can serve as volunteers.
Improve the city website (information about boards, commissions and volunteering opportunities).
Openness and transparency on boards—let people know they exist and encourage them to follow what’s going on.
Click here to read comments posted by residents before the Summit on Community Life
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1. Provide as many ways for citizens to come together as possible. The quality of community life in Newton hinges on our very sense of “community”—the more vehicles for citizen interactions, the better. A major goal should be to create formal and informal touch points for affiliations among our residents.
Promote pride, inclusion, and civility. Develop a sense of ownership and pride in the city. Promote tolerance and acceptance (Inclusive Schools Weeks is a good example). Sometimes there is not an expectation that the dialogue will be civil—there can be a sense of entitlement. We need a higher level of thinking about what’s best for the city—consideration of the whole of the city over the parts.
Village life—build on the strength of villages. Need a vision of what villages should be and what the city should be. Ensure all villages have a “signature” attribute—perhaps village-based commerce, a library or community center, and/or a park. Not all villages need everything, but every village needs something. Village centers are where residents have informal and unscheduled meetings/interactions, helping to build social networks that can be leveraged for civic engagement. Build relationships across villages, too—focus on village life, but not at the expense of the whole of Newton.
Ensure we have amenities/programs that accommodate/appeal to diverse groups. We want to be a community that is appealing to people of diverse cultural, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and life stage (singles, empty nesters, seniors, families). We want Newton to be affordable and allow people to age comfortably in our city and provide housing opportunities and amenities to keep “empty-nesters” in the city.
Programming for citizen interactions. We need programs that support people coming together: volunteerism for people to feel engaged, interfaith and intergenerational initiatives, community centers, senior centers, youth programming, libraries, etc. Support places where people can casually run into one another and strengthen networks. We have a large number of boards and commissions already—we can build on these existing networks by energizing people to get involved (particularly, encourage those who became involved in the mayoral election for the first time to dedicate their energies to service).
Physical infrastructure for citizen interactions. Maintain playgrounds and parks for citizens and their pets. Local traffic patterns do not support cohesiveness in the city (road rage, isolation). Walk-ability, bike-ability, and better public transportation will help improve access for all.
Encourage a sense of responsibility to the greater community. Recognize our relationship to other cities. Newton is a great community because of its proximity to Boston. We could do a better job of sharing our human capital with our urban neighbors.
2. Leverage existing resources in Newton. Challenging fiscal times necessitate creative approaches to strengthening our community life. Citizens, non-profits, local businesses, and institutions should be approached to support our city.
Bring our brainpower together for smart strategies
Colleges/universities can serve as cultural, educational centers
Continue to support the work of non-profits, as they supplement city services
Encourage institutions in the city (universities, businesses) to engage and support civic activities in a positive way (monetary, infrastructure)
Engage in responsible development—have more holistic planning in the city
Much of our public space is created/maintained by village center businesses—continue to encourage this (possibly with Business Improvement Districts)
3. Improve communication as a two-way street between citizens and administration. A more collaborative relationship between residents and City Hall will build trust and goodwill, encourage civic engagement, and create a sense of community ownership. We want to be supportive of the Mayor as he begins the reality of governing—partnering early is a priority.
Lack of openness from City Hall leads to citizens disengaging from civic life.
When input is given by citizens, it’s important that people feel their time is well spent.
When citizens are well informed, there is less fear of change—we are at a juncture where we can look for opportunity in change
Desire for opportunities for interpersonal communications with Mayor (“open hours” and “house parties” throughout the city).
Better partnership between citizens and city workers could result in improved city services.
Communicate (post) ways in which people can serve as volunteers.
Improve the city website (information about boards, commissions and volunteering opportunities).
Openness and transparency on boards—let people know they exist and encourage them to follow what’s going on.
Click here to read comments posted by residents before the Summit on Community Life
blog comments powered by Disqus
