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John’s Vision for Newton: Key Takeaways from the Ward 4 Debate
Last night’s Ward 4 At-Large candidates forum showcased three distinct approaches to Newton’s future. Here’s where John Chaimanis stands on the issues that matter most to our community.
Schools Come First
John made clear that Newton Public Schools are his top priority, with a personal stake most candidates can’t match. “I’ve got three kids in the Newton public schools—my oldest is entering Day and my other two are still at Burr,” he shared. His approach goes beyond rhetoric: he’s already met with Superintendent Dr. Nolan to understand not just running the schools, but where money should be spent and found.
Unlike candidates focused solely on budget numbers, John emphasized building bridges between City Council, the School Committee, and teachers to create workplaces where educators thrive.
Financial Expertise Newton Needs
With a $500 million city budget, John brings something rare to City Council: 25 years of actual budget management experience. He noted that while Newton Public Schools receive 55% of the budget, that percentage has actually declined over the past decade as principal, interest, and retirement services consume more resources.
His revenue-generation strategies include investing in grant writers (“spending a dollar to earn two dollars”), growing commercial activity (“a dollar spent in Newton stays in Newton”), and leveraging public-private partnerships—expertise gained from investing over $500 million in infrastructure projects.
Smart Growth, Not Reckless Development
On housing, John took a nuanced stance that distinguishes him from both opponents. While acknowledging Newton’s desirability drives prices up, he emphasized preserving “naturally occurring affordable housing”—smaller homes on smaller lots that will always cost less than new construction.
He supports the Village Center Overlay District for co-locating housing with commercial spaces, noting it reduces car trips and helps the climate. But he also urged caution: “We’ve recently permitted about 3,000 new units with a residential base of 30,000—that’s a 10% increase. We need to measure and evaluate as we grow.”
Climate Leadership Through Experience
Few candidates can match John’s climate credentials. “I’ve spent the last 25 years building a business fighting climate change using technology and finance,” he explained, noting his company has invested $500 million in clean energy projects offsetting power consumption for roughly 25,000 homes.
He lectures on project finance and public-private partnerships at Babson, Villanova, Harvard Kennedy School, and Northeastern—expertise he’s ready to bring to Newton’s net-zero goals. His practical proposals include strengthening the tree ordinance, installing solar on municipal buildings and parking lots, and using performance-based contracts for energy retrofits that cost the city nothing upfront while immediately reducing bills.
Traffic Solutions Beyond Theory
While others proposed theoretical solutions, John offered practical pilots: shuttle vans modeled on local university systems, connecting high-population areas to commercial districts through public-private partnerships. He also suggested developers near transit stations offer discounted rail passes—leveraging private investment for public benefit.
On bike lanes, he brought a pragmatic parent’s perspective: bikes aren’t for everyone, and you can’t take three kids to activities on a bicycle. His solution? Smarter planning that locates bike infrastructure on less-traveled roads rather than thoroughfares.
Transparency That Works
John championed the League of Women Voters’ transparency recommendations: publishing budgets in Excel format at the department level so residents can actually analyze spending. He also proposed city newsletters highlighting what’s available on the website and where to find it—making transparency accessible, not just available.
The Bottom Line
Throughout the debate, John demonstrated what Newton needs most: proven experience managing complex organizations, personal investment in our community’s success (his children’s future depends on it), and practical solutions grounded in real-world results rather than political theory.
As he concluded: “I’ve listened to my community. We need someone who cares about our best schools, responsibly manages finances, and plans for future development with common sense. I have a track record of serving the common good.”