Newton Patch Candidate: Greg Schwartz, At-Large Ward 6

NEWTON, MA —There will be several contested races in this fall's election, including for councilor at large, which is a citywide vote. Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

There are contested races for the at-large city council seats in wards 2, 3, 5 and 6. In each of those races there are three people running for two spots. Alicia Bowman is facing off against incumbents Greg Schwartz and Victoria Danberg.

Schwartz, 52, moved to Newton in 2007 with his wife (who is a judge) and together they've been raising their two daughters.

Schwartz went to Harvard College, then Yale for law and medical school. For the past two decades he's worked as a physician. In 2011 he was elected to city council as an at-large councilor from Ward 6.

He took some time to answer some questions Patch sent to all candidates. His answers have not been edited.

Read this, too: Newton Election Calendar 2019: What To Know About Election
Got something to say about this election? Submit a Letter To The Editor. Here's how.

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 Newton Patch.

The single most pressing issue facing our (city, schools, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Climate Change. I will advance policies that promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and reduction in green house gas emissions. These may include: an office to give advice and encouragement offered to residents planning renovations; special permit requirements of larger development projects to meet energy efficiency standards, such as Passive House standards and LEED Gold or Platinum certifications; requirements for commercial and large residential properties to have solar panel-ready roofs; improving and encouraging alternate transit options in the City, including bike lanes, rental bikes, and safer sidewalks.

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

I am open minded and ready to consider points of view different from my own. I believe the job of councilor is to represent all the residents of Newton, so - while I have my personal views - I need to consider carefully the points made by those with opposing viewpoints. Activism and advocacy have a role, but cannot define your work as a representative and public servant.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)? If you're an incumbent, what is still on your to-do list?

Candidate left this blank

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

As a parent, I strongly support maintaining excellent schools through robust budgets and strategic planning. As a doctor, I want to promote the public health by encouraging active, healthy lifestyles with vibrant parks, safe sidewalks, and a healthy environment; address the vaping crisis in our schools; support senior services programs that provide outreach to isolated seniors, and a fully functional senior center. As a resident, I want to preserve what makes Newton special, especially with vibrant, walkable, human-scale village centers.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
I have served in the job for past 8 years, and am constantly learning and gaining additional experience that helps me do the job better. I know how to collaborate with colleagues and listen to differing points of view, build consensus, and achieve goals. Prior to service on City Council, I served as chair of the Board of Directors of my children's pre-school, learning valuable insights into how one faces the challenges of providing high quality child care services while also managing a staff of teachers within a budget.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Always assume the person you are talking to has more knowledge and experience to share than you do, so listen carefully to her (or him) and treat them with respect.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I love the job - as a doctor and lawyer, I bring a unique perspective to the Council. In medicine, you can't make the right diagnosis if you don't listen and keep an open mind. In law, there are two sides to every case. I draw on both skill sets to try to find the best solutions to our most complex problems.

Your public social media info (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)

Facebook: http//www.facebook/gregschwartz4newt...

My favorite aspect of this city is...

Multiple village centers with different qualities, characters, and atmospheres.

What's your take on all of the development projects across the city?

As a member of the Land Use committee for 8 years - including the last 2 years as Chair, I have had a "front row seat" to these discussions. I support growing our City's housing options and tax base by allowing development of appropriate parcels into mixed use projects, with residential, commercial, and retail components. However, we must make sure these projects take into account existing problems and foreseeable burdens faced by the local neighborhoods adjacent to the developments, including their impacts on traffic congestion, local retail business' viability, and the cost of city services. I do not support allowing developers to build "to the max" and put their profits over the benefits to Newton.

More on Newton Elections:

• Newton Election Calendar 2019: What To Know About Election
• Ward 5 Residents To Head To The Polls Sept. 10
• Humphrey, Winters Win Preliminary Election In Newton's Ward 5
• Rick Lipof Is Running Unopposed
• Mark Laredo- unopposed
• Becky Grossman, At-Large Ward 7
• Got A Newton Election Related Letter To The Editor?

More candidate profiles:

• Kathryn Winters - Ward 5
• Bill Humphrey - Ward 5
• Rena Getz - Ward 5 (write in)
• Andreae Downs - At Large Ward 5
• Deb Crossly - At Large Ward 5
• Brenda Noel, Ward 6
• Vicki Danberg - At Large Ward 6
• Emily Norton (Incumbent)- Ward 2
• Bryan Barash - Ward 2
• Jake Auchincloss(Incumbent) - At Large Ward 2
• Susan Albright (Incumbent) - At Large Ward 2
• Tarik Lucas -At Large Ward 2
• Jennifer Bentley, At Large Ward 2
• Andrea Kelley - At Large Ward 3
• Ruth Goldman - School Committee
• Kathleen Shields - School Committee
• Bridget Ray-Canada -School Committee
• Alex Koifman - School Committee
• Galina Rosenblit - School Committee