Dear Councilor Baker,

The League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) is writing to express our disappointment with

your decision to exclude representatives of the business community from the Zoning and

Planning Committee’s “discussion” tomorrow (July 9) at 7:00pm, in which the committee will

be looking at the challenges facing the office market and developing strategies to recruit new

commercial office tenants to Newton.

The League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) believes that “democratic

government depends upon informed and active participation at all levels of government."

LWVUS further supports and works towards achieving “broader public participation in

government as a necessary component of decision-making at all levels of government.”

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts has a goal of promoting an “open

governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive .... and that assures

opportunities for citizen participation in government decision-making.”

For years, LWVN has been advocating for transparency in local government (see our Municipal

Transparency & Accountability Report). While our Transparency Report does not directly

address the requirements for public participation in committee hearings, LWVN believes that

allowing community members to address the City Council, and make their concerns about

local issues heard is the heart of transparency. We agree with Greg Reibman’s, the President and CEO of the Charles River Regional Chamber, assertion that, “Submitting written comments is no substitute for engaging in dialogue with the

committee. Nor does it provide an opportunity to respond to councilors’ questions and/or

The League of Women Voters encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy, comments, or to suggestions the Planning Department may offer, which we may or may not agree with.”

If this is truly a “discussion” of issues of concern to the business community and they are

highly knowledgeable about the falling demand for office space, why not allow the business

community input into that discussion from the beginning where they have the opportunity to

help influence the best solutions?

With all due respect,

Frieda Dweck & Jane Harper

Frieda Dweck & Jane Harper

Co-Presidents, League of Women Voters of Newton