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Address
Newton City Hall
1000 Commonwealth Ave
Newton Centre, MA 02459
617-796-1000
TDD/TTY 617-796-1089
Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30am-5:00pm
Tuesday
8:30am- 8:00pm
Mayor David B. Cohen's Weekly Press Conference
May 14, 2003, Mayor's Office, Newton City Hall
1. Newton Resident Named Assistant Coach, 2003 USA
World Basketball Championship for Young Women
Kathy Delaney-Smith, Head Coach, Harvard University Women's Basketball
Team
Fran Towle, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Department
Carol Stapleton, Manager, Parks and Recreation Department
2. Reaccreditation of the Newton History Museum
at the Jackson Homestead
David Olson, Director
3. New Exhibit at the Newton History Museum: "Rediscovering
Newton Artists, 1850 - 1950"
David Olson, Director
Susan Abele, Senior Curator of Manuscripts and Documents
4. City of Newton Purchase of Wind Energy
Nicole Wobus, Green Power Program Director, and Jamie Kopke, Green Power
Program Coordinator, Mass. Energy Consumers Alliance
David Tannozzini, Electrical Engineer, Public Buildings Department
5. Emergency Financial Assistance Grant Award
Diana Patten, Social Worker, Human Services Department
6. American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life"
Mary Lewis, Newton Resident Coordinator
Elizabeth Navisky, American Cancer Society Coordinator
7. Memorial Day Observance
Fred Guzzi, Veterans Agent
Newton Resident Named Assistant Coach, 2003 USA
World Basketball Championship for Young Women
Newton is fortunate to be home to a number of luminaries, one
of whom is Kathy Delaney-Smith, Head Coach of Harvard University Women's
Basketball Team. It is my pleasure to announce that Coach Smith was named
assistant coach for the 2003 USA Basketball Championships for Young Women
by the USA Basketball Women's Collegiate Committee. This team is comprised
of players no older than 21 years of age from across the country.
Coach Smith has coached the Harvard women's basketball team for 21 successful
seasons; and prior to that, was the coach for the Westwood High School
Women's Basketball team for 6 undefeated regular seasons and 1 state championship.
Coach Smith holds the distinction of being the first Massachusetts high
school girls basketball player to score 1,000 points, all while playing
for her mother, the late Peg Delaney, at Sacred Heart School of Newton.
She has received many awards and tributes, especially in 1997, when she
was named by the Newton TAB as "Person of the Year." In March
of 2000, she received the New England Women's Leadership Award for Sports,
a testament to the lives she has touched through her courage, talents,
and accomplishments. Furthermore, she was recognized by the Women's Educational
and Industrial Union as a "…Woman who has inspired other women,
and has contributed to the quality of life for women and their families."
She was also the first woman to be named to the Massachusetts Basketball
Hall of Fame.
The competition for the championships will be held in Croatia on July
25, where the USA team will compete in the 2003 World Championship for
Young Women.
I welcome Coach Smith here today, who will tell us more about this exciting
international event; and I am giving her a City of Newton sweatshirt to
proudly wear in Croatia.
Reaccreditation of the Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead
The Newton History Museum at The Jackson Homestead is proud to
announce that it has been awarded continued accreditation by the Accreditation
Commission of the American Association of Museums. The Accreditation Commission
has determined that the Newton History Museum at The Jackson Homestead
continues to meet the high standards established by the Accreditation
Program and the museum field. The Commission’s Visiting Committee
noted in its report that “the museum was a well run institution
that capitalizes on the talents and enthusiasm of the staff, board members,
and volunteers.”
Accreditation by the American Association of Museums recognizes the Newton History Museum’s commitment to excellence and the demonstration of high professional standards of operation.
We are so fortunate to have such a rich community resource in our backyard, a true community institution that brings people together. The Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead continues to offer excellent programs and activities that give us a flavor for the way our predecessors lived and worked. If you haven't visited the Museum lately, I urge you to do so.
I have invited David Olson, Director of the Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead, to describe the accreditation process and its significance to the City and to the Museum.
Rediscovering Newton Artists, 1850-1950
A year ago, Newton resident Bill Leitch suggested that the Homestead
mount an exhibition about artists living and working in Newton in the
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. At the time, the curators could
only identify a few individuals, however, this gap in knowledge about
Newton's
cultural life provided a rewarding opportunity for research. Rediscovering
Newton Artists, 1850-1950, which opened last week, presents the work of
more than twenty artists with stories to tell about their lives in Newton
and their place in the world of art. The show includes landscapes, portraits,
and prints, which will be on display through January 2004.
It is indeed remarkable that a community the size of Newton
has produced so many breathtaking works of art during that period.
I have invited David Olson and Susan Abele of the Newton History Museum
at the Jackson Homestead to come forward and tell us more about this exciting
exhibit.
City of Newton Purchase of Wind Energy
I am pleased to announce that the City of Newton has once again
demonstrated its leadership in the utilization of alternative sources
of energy by recently purchasing wind energy from Massachusetts Energy
Consumers Alliance (Mass Energy). The wind energy purchased was used to
offset one day's worth of electricity, about 2,800 kilowatt hours, for
the main library. The source of the electricity was the wind turbine in
Hull, MA owned by New England Wind™.
The City's purchase avoided the emission of 2,700 pounds of heat-trapping
carbon dioxide, 3.04 pounds of smog-forming nitrogen oxides, and 10.26
pounds of soot-forming sulfur dioxide, as well as avoiding burning 80
gallons of oil to produce this electricity. Given the limited availability
of the renewable energy supply that is currently available in the region,
the City's utilization of wind energy reflects its pioneering spirit in
the green power market.
We are looking at alternative energy sources, so we can reduce emissions
of gases into the environment; and so that we can combat air pollution.
Fossil fuels represent a finite amount and source of energy. At best,
we have a handful of generations' worth of fuel left.
I am initiating a program of purchasing wind power by committing an additional
$5,000 to purchase wind energy.
I have invited Nicole Wobus, Green Power Program Director, and Jamie Kopke,
Green Power Program Coordinator of Mass Energy, and David Tannozzini of
the Public Buildings Department to tell us more about this historic "greening."
Emergency Financial Assistance Grant Award
The City of Newton's Human Services Department has been awarded
$30,000 from the Emergency Food and Shelter Board of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). This grant was made available to Newton through
the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, which serves the residents of Middlesex
County. The grant is designed to prevent homelessness by providing emergency
assistance with one month of an overdue utility, rent, or mortgage payment.
To apply for emergency assistance for these essential expenses, you will
need to document your overdue utility or rent or mortgage payment.
The unfortunate news is that we need this money, that some people in Newton
need this assistance.
I have invited Diana Patten of the Human Services Department here today
to give you information on applying for this assistance.
Relay for Life
I am pleased to announce a very special upcoming event sponsored by the
American Cancer Society -- the annual "Relay for Life."
Relay for Life is a nationwide fundraising relay walk sponsored by the
American Cancer Society, providing individuals, families, businesses,
schools, service organizations and communities an opportunity to participate
in activities that raise money to fight cancer.
It is also a particularly moving event, with a mixture of sorrow and hope.
We have survivors of cancer; and we have candles commemorating the lives
of those who did not survive cancer.
Newton’s 6th American Cancer Society Relay will take place on Saturday,
May 17, 2003 at Newton North High School, starting at 6 p.m. with opening
ceremonies and the very moving Cancer Survivor Lap at 7 p.m. A candle-lighting
ceremony to honor loved ones who have or have had cancer, starts at 9
p.m. The event is 18 hours long, running until noon on Sunday, May 18th.
Hundreds of people typically participate, bringing tents, blankets, coolers
of food, teammates, and plenty of enthusiasm and spirit. I urge all Newton
residents to join us in raising money for a great cause -- to fight cancer,
while having a good time, and sharing common interests, a common goal,
and community.
I would like to introduce Newton resident coordinator Mary Lewis, who
has participated for the past several years.
Memorial Day Observance
Sunday, May 25, 2003, we will honor those brave men and women
who so valiantly served our country in times of war, and sacrificed their
lives so that we could live in freedom, safety, and peace. This is a time
to remember them, and to express our gratitude for their personal sacrifice
in service to our nation, sacrifice that can never be taken for granted.
And we will also be reminded of the enormous contribution they have made
and continue to make to protect and defend us all. We owe them a debt
of gratitude that can only be repaid through remembrance and tribute.
The day’s events honoring our veterans will be as
follows:
Starting at 9 a.m. from the American Legion Post 440 on California Street,
Nonantum, wreath placement and prayer at various parks and bridges will
take place.
At noon, we will gather at the Newton Cemetery at the two veterans' lots to place memorial wreaths, and the Annual Memorial Day address will be delivered.
The Memorial Day Parade begins at 2 p.m. at Our Lady’s Church on Washington Street.
All Newton residents are invited to join us in honoring the men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country and our community.
This year's observances are particularly meaningful because so many of
our military are abroad protecting our freedom and our safety.
I welcome here today Ald. Carleton Merrill and Veterans Agent Fred Guzzi who will introduce the Newton veterans here today.
The Veteran's Department web pages