Dear constituents and supporters –
I have recently returned from an incredible solo trip to Alaska, visiting coastal glaciers and interior taiga and tundra – all places where the disruptive effects of man-made global warming are rapidly becoming visible every year. I had never been to Alaska before, despite having completed the Lower 48 states as a child, and it was a great experience, especially by rail on the state-owned Alaska Railroad in their final week of summer season service during Alaskan autumn. It was also a great place to go after a busy year, because there is limited cell service and I was able to get a great deal of reading done – when I wasn’t looking at jaw-dropping vistas or experiencing the swirling aurora of the Northern Lights above my head.
Now that I am back home in Massachusetts, I am providing a public update on my plans for next year: After checking in with my campaign team and consulting with my family, I am sticking with the decision I made after last year’s municipal election that I will not be seeking re-election to the Newton City Council in the 2025 fall elections.
Thank you to Ward 5 for your confidence in me three times to serve you as Ward Councilor. Thank you, again, for voting for me to move up to the state level, although we finished a strong second place in the wider district this year. I know some of you will be disappointed to see me depart this role, but the time has come for me to find other avenues of public service for now. I am so grateful to all those who have supported me over the years in my campaigns.
Although I greatly enjoy the work of helping my Ward 5 constituents, at this time, serving longer than six years in the post would not be financially sustainable for me and my family. While I have done various other part-time work over the years, it is unfortunately the case that many opportunities have restrictions or conflicts related to holding or seeking public office, either at the employer level or under state law, and serving as a City Councilor in Newton is a big time commitment for a part-time role with a stipend.
I am making this announcement now, more than six months before nomination papers become available, because I want to give Ward 5 residents who might be interested in running (or interested in persuading a friend to run) as much lead time as possible to hold exploratory conversations with friends and neighbors and to put together a successful campaign operation.
I do not have any successor in mind and at this time do not intend to endorse anyone to take my place, but I’m willing to have a chat with any interested potential candidates about what the job of Councilor entails and what is necessary to run for it. The Ward Councilor role, in particular, tends to field a lot of constituent services queries each week. I want to make sure prospective candidates understand what residents will need from them if they are elected.
I’m also announcing my decision now because – although most eyes are on national politics for the next few weeks – the Mayor’s race is already heating up, I believe there are likely to be other Council vacancies around the city, and I would anticipate an active School Committee campaign year.
I am satisfied that we have done some good things together in my time in office – especially the work I did to help constituents at the beginning of the pandemic, the reforms we passed to try to improve policies on leaf blowers and private tree protection, finally landmarking the historic Strong Block of Waban Square, and passing a number of key street design improvements for safety in Newton Upper Falls.
One of my top priorities before running for Council was to get a mandate passed against natural gas hookups, and I was proud to help secure a strong pilot ordinance on electrification earlier this year. At a smaller scale, we also got a lot of Ward 5 potholes patched and sidewalk breaks grinded down, when you reported them to me for extra attention. I am most proud of ensuring that in meetings and deliberations there was a voice to represent people who were otherwise going unheard, from residents to public employees.
I’m sure we will also achieve a few more goals before the end of this term in December 2025. I look forward to your continued communications between now and then.
In that remaining time, I will still be serving on the Finance Committee and as Vice Chair of the Programs & Services Committee. Additionally, I have been appointed again to the City Council’s Rules Subcommittee, where we continue to try to improve our operations and public legibility of our work. I also continue to serve on the City Seal Working Group, as we work toward a final proposal for a new City Seal for the Council to consider.
Sincerely,
Bill Humphrey,
Ward 5 Newton City Councilor