Campaign Phone
617-512-0085
Attendance
26 of 30
My family and I moved to Brookline over 20 years ago. My daughter and son both attended FRR and BHS. I am a past FRR PTO co-president. I have been a co-owner of 2 Boston area food businesses, Cooking Culture Caterers and Trillfoods. I have been a Town Meeting Member for the last five years.
Brookline is faced with challenges in terms of its growth and accompanying development. Expanding both our commercial and residential footprints needs to proceed with mindful planning so as not to overwhelm any given neighborhood. The Town also appears to be at a crossroads in terms of how it will confront issues of social justice in, for example, housing, and I would like to be a voice in shaping that outcome.
Campaign Phone
617-277-1678
Attendance
30 of 30
44 year resident of what is now Precinct 17. Candidate for reelection. Married with kids and grandkids. Lawyer in private practice. Co-petitioner of new Town law requiring hotels to report anti-sex trafficking steps as part of their annual Town licensing process; this was the first law of its kind in Massachusetts. Endorsed by PAX, Brookline By Design, and Brookline For Responsible Government.
Constituents complain to me most about developers interfering with simple livability. E.g. Developer wanted to pipe music nightly into his project's front yard, opposite constituents' apartments. E.g. Overtime parking by construction workers, ignoring parking signs, blocking residents' repairmen from parking. E.g. In the Summer a developer without notice began demolishing buildings with asbestos across the street from the open windows (Summertime) of residents’ apartments. I show up and lobby town officials for constituents. Re housing - the big TJ Maxx parking lot should be upzoned to mixed use. A 1 & 2 family residential area 2 blocks paralleling Beacon and the C Line from Washington to Williston should be upzoned to multifamily.
Campaign Phone
617-510-1850
Attendance
30 of 30
A resident of Coolidge Corner for 3 decades, I live with my wife, Lek, my son, Harry, ( a student at BHS), and our spirited Yorkie, Percy. We love living in Coolidge Corner. We patronize local businesses, play at Amory and Griggs parks, use public transportation and are kind to others.
In my three years as a Town Meeting member, I have supported efforts to improve local services, support the senior community, combat climate change, and ensure that the Town is fiscally responsible. I have also co-sponsored several warrant articles, including one designed to help fight sex trafficking at local hotels. I am proud to have assisted several Precinct 17 residents in resolving local problems.
The important issues are:
1) Maintaining the quality of the Brookline Public Schools;
2)Supporting local businesses; and
3)Addressing the rising cost of living in Brookline by urging the Town to spend responsibly and to raise additional revenue from residents only as a last resort.
A key task will be guiding the Town to act with fiscal responsibility by providing the high level of services Brookline residents expect without putting undue financial stress on taxpayers. I value the programs supporting senior citizens and other vulnerable residents and believe the Town should be responsive to those communities.
Brookline is a diverse community. There should be no tolerance for racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia and bigotry of any sort.
Campaign Phone
551-574-0690
Attendance
29 of 30
Susan Park is running for reelection for the precinct 17 Town Meeting Member seat. She was the top vote getter three years ago because she has a proven track record to get things done for her constituents. Most recently during the tremendous demolition at the Waldo- Durgin site, the dust and debris affected her constituents. Susan showed up at the Select Board meeting to advocate for her constituents. The matter was resolved quickly. Susan has been on many Brookline boards and committees to make Brookline a healthier, safer, and better town. She was the Brookline Town Meeting Member Association Vice President and sat on the town's finance committee (AC), was on the Brookline wellness committee, and always works hard solving problems.
1) The initial 8 million dollar school deficit is a big concern because in order to close the gap, there are going to be cuts. The cuts will affect students and teachers. I am glad there is an audit being done to see where money is being wasted. Susan also has ideas of revenue sources for the town re: the Chestnut Hill West parcel of land.
2) Affordability- many people are concerned about the rising house costs and tax if there is another override down the road. As a Town Meeting Member it's important to continue conversations about affordability re: zoning and identifying waste.
3) Mental health is the "hidden problem" that people don't like to discuss. I sat on the wellness committee to address this. Will continue to work hard for you.
Campaign Phone
617-232-1965
Attendance
30 of 30
Linda has lived in Brookline for 37 years. She's lived in Precinct 17, Coolidge Corner (formerly Precinct 2) for 22 of those years. Arriving as a young professional with her husband Robert, they soon put down roots near Washington St. As her appreciation for Brookline grew she wrote a series of historic "places" articles for Our Town Brookline and authored Exploring the Paths of Brookline. With her professional experience in Urban Planning, she has volunteered her expertise on numerous Town Boards and Committee's, most recently as a member of the Town's Advisory Committee, on the Land-Use Zoning and Sustainability Sub-Committee and as Vice-Chair of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. She founded Friends of the Minot Rose Garden.
Maintaining the quality of life in Brookline is something I hear a lot about from my constituents. These concerns range from crowding to rats to poorly maintained roads, to park upkeep. My constituents want to see Brookline maintained well and with top quality services. This requires a municipal staff that is empowered to fulfill their public mandate by being supported by adequate wages, a fulfilling work environment and sufficient staffing. All that requires a sufficient tax base and clear direction from Town administration. This requires fiscal discipline and a focus on core services. We must avoid passing laws and making rules that stretch us too thin in terms of having the necessary staff and/or resources for enforcement or followup.
Campaign Phone
845-392-4653
Attendance
Not Incumbent Town Meeting Member
I'm an avid reader, public transit enthusiast, and frequent biker. I love Brookline for its many parks and vibrant small businesses, along with walkable neighborhoods and a strong sense of community. Having moved to the Boston area in 2015 to pursue a PhD in Government at Harvard, and now serving as an Associate Director of Analytics at HBR, I aim to bring my experience in public policy and data-driven decision making to Brookline Town Meeting. My goal is to pursue progressive solutions to Brookline’s challenges in affordable housing, school funding, and sustainability.
Brookline is facing three important challenges: housing affordability, school funding, and sustainability. To tackle these, I support progressive policies that encourage smart, transit-oriented growth. We can build more housing, support commercial development, fund affordable housing, and build safer streets for people and bikes, all in dense communities near transit. Supporting these kinds of growth opportunities can allow more families to stay in Brookline, broaden the tax base to bring in more revenue for schools and streets, avoid possible property tax increases, and promote sustainable commutes. Through this data-driven, progressive approach, I believe we can build a greener, more affordable Brookline with fully-funded schools.
I moved to Brookline over 10 years ago when I started law school at Boston University. I’ve lived near Cleveland Circle, in Washington Square, and, after a brief stint in Boston, here in Coolidge Corner. I grew up near Austin, Texas and got my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Purdue University. I’ve been an attorney for 7 years and have moved from practicing intellectual property litigation to technology transactions at a non-profit research institution. I'm proud to call Coolidge Corner my home and I look forward to the opportunity to serve Precinct 17 as Town Meeting Member.
Brookline is currently facing an acute housing crisis, a budget deficit including an $8 million gap in the Public Schools of Brookline budget, and Brookline’s infrastructure inadequately protects pedestrians and cyclists. As town meeting member, I will address Brookline's housing shortage by voting to create more housing at all income levels, but especially affordable housing. I will work to protect needed town services and school programs by voting for measures designed to expand the town's tax base and increase revenue. I will prioritize safe streets and sidewalks for all users by voting for bike paths and traffic calming measures at busy intersections.
My name is Thai Johnson and I am a 29 year old man living in Brookline. I am originally from Marietta, GA and have been living in Brookline since 2021 when I moved here to pursue a Masters degree in music. I have fallen in love with the area and recently decided to officially put down roots here. As such, I want get involved and help connect with the community and serve it as best I possibly can. Outside of my passion for local politics, I am a freelance musician who believes in the power and beauty of the arts.
When I speak with people and read comments online, I find most folks are worried about affordable housing and the education budget. I also believe citizens want to feel as though their community leaders listen and care about them. To address affordable housing, we need to increase the supply of housing through policy initiatives which fall in line with current MA laws, such as the MBTA Communities Act. Increasing the supply of homes allows new and existing citizens to find homes which best suit their needs. This influx of new homes and residents will also raise property tax revenue which will bolster the education budget. Addressing these issues will cultivate goodwill amongst the residents of Brookline and establish faith in their leaders.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
