Newton Candidate Profile: Randy Block For City Council

NEWTON, MA — With the Newton Municipal Election scheduled for Nov. 7, Patch is profiling the candidates.

Here, we learn more about Randy Block, who is running for ward councilor representing Ward 4 on the Newton City Council. Block is running against Doris Ann Sweet. The seat currently is held by Christopher J. Markiewicz.

Block, 74, is retired after working for 43 years as a child welfare administrator. He never has held public office.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Randy Block

How old will you be as of Election Day?

74

Campaign website

https://www.rb4newton.com/

What city or town do you live in?

Newton

What office are you seeking?

City Council

If you are running in a district, you can specify the district here

Ward 4

Please give us your party affiliation

Democrat

Education

BA in History, University of Chicago; MA in Public Policy, University of Michigan

What is your occupation?

Child welfare administrator — Retired after 43 years. (My last job from 2004 to 2018 was as executive director of Parents Helping Parents, a nonprofit parent support organization.)

Family

My late wife, Karen Davis, and I raised our two sons in Newton:
Jeffrey is a school counselor at Concord-Carlisle High School
Peter is a real estate broker and youth hockey coach
Both Jeffrey and Peter are graduates of Newton South High School.
My household includes a 10-year-old black lab mix, Max

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I want to make sure that the residents of Ward 4 have a strong voice on the City Council. Councilors elected solely in a ward have a special duty to make sure that the views of their constituents are represented in the City Council debates. This approach would continue the good work of the current and former ward councilors, Chris Markiewicz and Jay Harney, both of whom are supporting me.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Balancing growth while keeping what we love about Newton.

Newton is facing significant growth in coming years due to a new state law that requires Newton to allow a 25-percent increase in the number of housing units. I think we can support new development but do so in a way that maintains trees and open space, limits traffic and keeps our unique network of charming village centers. But we can only do that if our City Council puts residents first when considering zoning changes and new development projects. As Wward councilor, I will always put the interests of my constituents over the profits of private developers, even if that means demanding a smaller project or more open space.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My opponent and I have different views regarding how to approach development. I support limiting the increase in housing units to the 8,330 target required by the state. My opponent favors the current proposal to rezone village centers that would increase the number of residential units that could be built by right and eliminate the requirement that developers provide a minimum level of parking. This will have a tremendous impact on our infrastructure, city services, schools and traffic. This zoning proposal far exceeds what is required by state law.

I support following the blueprint that the state has laid out for us. My opponent has persistently lobbied for the maximum number of housing units, without considering important contexts such as congestion, open space and building aesthetics.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Traffic congestion. We must do a better job managing traffic and avoiding actions that would make it worse.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

When the expanded Riverside development was proposed in 2018, I chaired the neighborhood committee that negotiated a compromise with the developer that reduced the size from 1.5 million square feet to 1 million square feet. It was passed unanimously by the City Council in October 2020. I am very proud of this achievement.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Assume that all opinions — especially those you disagree with — are arrived at with the best of intentions.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My career running child welfare programs has given me management and budget experience that will help me work with the city's various departments. I am also a trained support group facilitator. I still volunteer to run a parent support group each week at the Middlesex County Jail in Billerica. Facilitating groups makes me a good listener and effective communicator, skills that will help me be a successful city councilor.