In Recent Candidate Forums, Parker Calls On Mayor to Implement Badly Needed Capital Improvements for Schools

Alderman Ken Parker has been a consistent and strong advocate for long-term planning that includes a committment to regular maintenance. As one example, in recent mayoral candidate forums hosted by the Newton PTO Council, NewTV and the Newton TAB, Ken Parker has taken a strong stand against Mayor Cohen's decision not to allow additional School Department bonding during FY 2010.  This decision will prevent badly-needed capital improvements from taking place in favor of the installation of modular classrooms at several schools in Newton.  This may address short-term space issues, but the cost to Newton taxpayers as a result of the deferred maintenance will be much higher.

"While I understand your desire to limit total borrowing, we believe that it is inappropriate to pit classroom space needs against the replacement of aging boilers, windows, and roofs. We believe that the return on investment in energy savings alone more than justifies this work and that deferring it because of pressing space needs is short-sighted."

- Alderman Ken Parker

Long-term planning for effective maintenance of Newton's capital assets will be a hallmark of a Parker Administration.  To read more about his plan, please click here.