I support Randy to be the next Ward 4 Councilor. I can say many things about Randy, but the thing I care most about is someone who will be an ear to the residents of this Ward and represent them accordingly. It is crucial to have a Ward Councilor who actively engages with the community, especially on issues that have a direct local impact, and I firmly believe Randy is the right person for this role.

I met Randy over 20 years ago through our sons, who were Williams Elementary classmates and Newton Youth Soccer teammates. Randy has always impressed me as a passionate, enthusiastic and involved dad, and led our parent cohort as one of the biggest cheerleaders on the soccer fields, hockey rinks and school auditoriums on any given day! Randy brings his whole self to everything he does and his enduring commitment to family, friends and community is unrivaled.

I am very fortunate that I have a portable Section 8 voucher that allows me to find an apartment anywhere with rent fixed at 30% of my income. I have a special needs son and I wanted to give him the best education possible. I decided to move from Winthrop to Newton. I didn't have a car at the time and Randy drove me all over Newton checking out different places. I would never have been able to find my apartment and move to Newton without Randy's help.

When Randy was Executive Director of Parents Helping Parents, I became President of the board. While running PHP, Randy stabilized our finances, took over operating the Parental Stress Line, and expanded our prison group program. Above all, Randy embraced PHP's parent empowerment philosophy. You could always count on Randy.

When the Riverside development was proposed, Randy sought opinions from Lower Falls and Auburndale residents and started the LFIA Riverside Committee. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the new neighborhood would have affordable housing, open space and less traffic. Based on the four years we have worked closely together, I know as a Councilor he will always be willing to listen, dig into the details, and work with his colleagues to find the best possible solutions for complex problems.

Randy believes in finding solutions that meet the needs of current residents who cherish their community as well as making Newton welcoming and available to new and diverse residents. Randy will be a calm and reasonable voice about zoning, development, infrastructure, schools, the environment, and the budget.

Randy is a respected member of our community and he is the advocate we need in Ward 4.