IdeaBlog - Creative Brainstorming for Newtonhttp://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/en-US2012-02-13T21:59:57ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)We Have a Great Plan--Let's Implement!http://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/8/31/we-have-a-great-plan-lets-implement.htmlThe Committee2009-08-31T13:56:28ZFollowing an inclusive citywide effort, chaired by Newton resident and planner Philip B. Herr, Newton's current Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the Board of Aldermen in November, 2007.  The Plan contains a host of great ideas to guide the development of our community in coming years. 

However, the plan is only as useful as we make it.  A Parker Administration will quickly move to integrate the principles of the Comprehensive Plan.  By January 1, 2011, A Parker Administration will submit proposed ordinance amendments to the Board of Aldermen that are designed to incorporate the principles of the Comprehensive Plan into our zoning ordinances and other local laws.  To learn more, click here.

]]>How About Smooth Streets, For Starters?http://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/8/11/how-about-smooth-streets-for-starters.htmlThe Committee2009-08-12T02:47:36ZThere's no disputing that in recent years the ride around Newton via car or bike has become a little bumpy.  When you hit a pothole, you grimace and grumble at what might seem like a minor annoyance and and fact of life in a city.  In fact, bad streets are a serious problem. 

Smooth, well-maintained streets have a positive effect on quality of life, increase property values, increase bike safety and reduce fuel consumption. Preventive maintenance of streets reduces the need for expensive street reconstruction, lowering the overall cost of maintaining roadways while improving the quality of road surfaces.  Click here to learn more about how Ken Parker will address the issue of poorly maintained streets in Newton, and let us know your thoughts!

]]>Better Budgetinghttp://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/7/16/better-budgeting.htmlThe Committee2009-07-16T14:26:24ZWhen money is tight, should we cut revenue-generating positions like parking control officers?  Defer building improvements that save money?  Delay hiring a CFO to increase investment returns?  Probably not.  Yet Newton's current budget process is blind to the true cost of providing a service, to the long-term consequences of budgetary decisions, or to correlations between expenses and related revenue-generation and cost-savings.  There's a great deal we can do to improve the process,and as a result improve Newton's fiscal health.  To learn more about Ken's plan for budgeting, please click here.

]]>Now That School's Out, Let's Think About The School Dayhttp://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/7/1/now-that-schools-out-lets-think-about-the-school-day.htmlThe Committee2009-07-01T13:32:12ZCenturies ago, agrarian work shaped life for families throughout the United States. The Newton Public Schools operate on a schedule that evolved based on the needs of an agrarian society and that has not been significantly updated in centuries, let alone to accommodate recent changes in work patterns and to take advantage of modern technology. 

By re-examining our assumptions about when school should be in session and what educational activities can take place outside of the formal school day, we can make better use of education resources and help all of our students to succeed.  Newton has the opportunity to work with other interested Massachusetts communities to study the school day and to research best practices in ELT.  There is a great deal going on in this area, and Newton should help lead the way.  To learn more, please click here.

]]>Recognize Excellence, Improve Productivityhttp://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/6/11/recognize-excellence-improve-productivity.htmlThe Committee2009-06-11T15:54:39ZWhen you enter City Hall you might notice several plaques recognizing City employees who have received one of to awards, "The Innovation Award" and "Employee of the Year".  What might be less noticeable, though, are the dates of the most recent awardees - 2000 and 2001 respectively.  Of course, over the last nine years there have been many great and innovative employees at City Hall.  What has stopped is the recognition. 

In order to get the results from our government that are consistent with the expectations and values of Newton residents, we need to create an atmosphere in which everyone takes pride in their work and knows that they are making a real difference.  If we do this, our city will perform much more efficiently.  To learn more about Ken Parkers plan for improving morale and productivity at City Hall, please click here.

]]>Writing Our Own Future: Grants in Newtonhttp://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/5/19/writing-our-own-future-grants-in-newton.htmlThe Committee2009-05-19T01:34:46ZPresident Obama's national stimulus package has led many to wonder: how is Newton positioned to receive federal and state grant monies?  In recent years, while other nearby cities have secured substantial federal and state funding, Newton has fallen behind, lacking the staff resources to prepare and submit successful grant applications. That leaves us with a great opportunity; by improving these resources, our city's financial situation can improve, and important projects can move forward.  To read more, please click here and let us know your thoughts.

]]>"Be Prepared"http://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/5/1/be-prepared.htmlThe Committee2009-05-01T15:06:35ZWith Swine Flu dominating news headlines, and public health agencies around the world carefully monitoring a serious disease outbreak, we are reminded that Newton should always be prepared for emergencies in advance. Currently, our city is not as prepared as we should be to respond to a natural disaster, terrorist attack, disease outbreak, or other emergency.

We should develop and promulgate an emergency response and communication plan with the following components: clear lines of communication, pre-positioning of emergency supplies and medicines in strategic locations throughout the city, and planned evacuation routes in case a portion of the city is not safe.  To learn more, please click here.

Also, for a fact sheet on the Swine Flu, please click here.

]]>Shrinking Newton's Environmental Footprinthttp://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/4/21/shrinking-newtons-environmental-footprint.htmlThe Committee2009-04-21T17:52:37ZWith the 40th Earth Day at hand, many Newton residents are wondering what our city can do to reduce it's environmental footprint. As one step forward, we should have an easy way to measure and track our carbon footprint. Alderman Parker has already proposed NewtonStat to measure the efficacy of city services. Why not EnviroStat to measure our environmental performance?

In a column in the April 21 Newton TAB, Alderman Parker outlines an innovative way for our city to take concrete steps to improve our environmental performance. To learn more about how this will happen, please click here.

]]>Stopping Deforestation....In Newton?http://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/4/10/stopping-deforestationin-newton.htmlThe Committee2009-04-10T13:43:23ZOur urban forest provides countless benefits to the residents of Newton, as well as its many visitors and guests. It's also an asset valued at $64 million; our family of 33,000 trees should not be neglected by the Garden City. Yet, because of aging trees, slowed planting, environmental pressures, budget cuts and a lack of good policy, we are losing about 400 trees per year.

As Mayor, Ken Parker will work with the Parks and Recreation Department, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Urban Tree Commission, the Planning Department, the Board of Aldermen, and interested citizens and community groups to develop a public tree management plan by January 1, 2011. To learn more, please click here.

]]>75% Recycling by 2015?http://www.kenparker.org/ideablog/2009/3/26/75-recycling-by-2015.htmlThe Committee2009-03-26T21:00:44ZFor decades, Newton had been a leader in the recycling area.  However, in recent years, Newton’s recycling has declined from a high of 47% of waste recycled down to just 38% in 2006, the most recent year for which data are available.

In Newton we have a tremendous opportunity.  Due to the significant environmental and financial costs of waste disposal, efforts to reverse this trend will be cost-effective and achievable.  Even a 5% increase in recycling could save the City over $200,000 in trash collection fees and could generate $65,000 in receipts for the sale of recyclables. We propose that Newton set a goal of achieving a 75% recycling rate by the year 2015, a rate which will have a meaningful impact on our environment and budget, and make Newton residents proud.  To learn more, please click here.

 

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