Politics & Government
Newton Candidate Profile: Andreae Downs Is Running Again
Andreae Downs shares why she is running for reelection to Newton City Council in a Patch candidate profile for the 2019 election.
NEWTON, MA — The city will have several contested races in this fall's election, including for at large city councilors in Ward 5. Patch asked candidates in the contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.
Andrea Downs has been a Newton city councilor since 2017. Before that she was elected to the Waban Area Council twice, serving from 2013 to 2017. On November 5, she faces off against challengers Paul Coletti and Deb Crossley. If Downs wins she will head into her second term as at-large councilor for Newton from Ward 5.
Downs grew up in a small town in Maine, went to college in California, Scotland and Germany, and returned to New England to be near family. She got her Bachelors from Mills College in California. She and her husband Paul Glickman moved to Newton in 1989 for its running trails, convenience to Boston and services. They chose to buy here because of the world-class schools. They sent both their daughters Susannah and Juliette through the system and both graduated from Newton South.
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Downs has a background as a community journalist in the Brookline, Boston area and since 2012 has served as executive director of the Wastewater Advisory Committee to the MWRA, which is a semi-public authority.
She took a moment recently to answer a few questions for Patch. Her answers have not been edited.
Find out what's happening in Newtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Previously: Newton Election Calendar 2019: What To Know About Election
Are you running for office in Newton? Contact Jenna Fisher at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Waltham Patch.
The single most pressing issue facing our city is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
Climate change—how to adapt, how to mitigate. Cities and towns control land use, and can increase incentives for more durable, more weather proof buildings. By zoning them near destinations, we can reduce the need to drive, and by working on our streets we can make alternatives more viable.
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I am hardworking, responsive, and take in both the big picture and the long view on Council decisions.
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?
Not applicable
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:
Preserving and enhancing our parks and open space. Ensuring equity particularly for those facing the most challenges in Newton. Creating great spaces where people can meet casually and build our community. Enhancing the arts in our public spaces. Creating more off-road connectivity for walking and biking.
What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I helped found the Friends of Cold Spring Park. I contributed to the zoning work that increased the percentage of affordable housing, defined limits for marijuana retail stores, put in place rules that allow some short-term rentals but limit bad behavior that might disturb neighbors.
The best advice ever shared with me was ...
Listen first.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I am running for re-election to continue to work toward best practices in Newton city government; to plan for contingencies but also for a better quality of life for more residents, and for a sustainable future for our city and the planet. I ask for your vote Nov. 5
Your social media info (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook):
My favorite aspect of this city is...
The neighbors.
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