David, Rebecca, Debra, and Charlie Shapiro

Thank you for the honor of serving you on Newton’s Board of Aldermen for the past two years.

It was a long and competitive campaign and unfortunately we were not successful in the
re-election effort.

I’m proud of the work I’ve done over the past two years as a city-wide alderman to help make our city a safer and better community. It’s not often the Governor points to a first-term alderman’s program (The Newton Silver Alert) as a model for the Commonwealth and it feels great to have had a role as a member of Governor Patrick’s Silver Alert Working Group in shaping something that will help keep those at risk safer throughout Massachusetts.

First, thank you to my family.  My wife Debra and our two children have been supportive, tolerant, and they helped me stay grounded and focused.

Thank you to everyone who cast a vote for me and those who displayed my orange and blue “Shapiro” lawn signs in neighborhoods of all economic levels all over the city, and to those who endorsed, contributed, held coffees, helped with mailings, and the countless other ways so many people pitched in.

Thank you to my supportive aldermanic colleagues. I especially thank Aldermen Brian Yates, Jay Harney, Jay Ciccone, Lenny Gentile, and School Committee member Geoff Epstein. These independent-thinking gentlemen went out of their way to provide me with guidance and support and I am highly appreciative. They are tireless in their work on behalf of our fellow residents.

Thank you to Peg Hannigan (the Godmother of Democratic Politics in Newton) and Bob Burke for their unwavering  support, clear thinking, and straight talk. Their confidence in me is inspiring. I also am grateful to Ron Lipof and Jeff Seideman for their support, insight, and sense of humor. A special mention also goes to volunteers Peter and Rita Klapes, Don Johnson, Nathaniel Lichtin, Len MacBain, Gloria Gavris, and to Andy Zaff for helping out as campaign Treasurer (it’s been a long time since Andy and I were in Kindergarten together at Countryside!).

I am particularly grateful to the Newton Firefighters and Newton Police Associations for their endorsement and support and to Tom Lopez and John Daly who represent many of the men and women who put themselves on the line every day to keep us safer. You are all appreciated. A big extra thanks to those “first responders” who took their own personal time to help out on election day.

Elections are a snapshot in time. Results depend on many things including who and how many turn out to vote.  I congratulate Vicki and Greg on their combined “Team” win. It was a unique strategy and I hope the city benefits from their service.

Newton has many challenges before us. My plan is to stay involved and continue to be an independent and sensible voice speaking out on the issues that matter to people in Newton. I’ll also continue producing and hosting the Newton Newsmakers TV program to keep you informed and provide context to major issues facing our city. I hope you’ll tune in now and then.

Again, thank you. See you around the city soon!

Sincerely,

Alderman Charlie Shapiro
67 Walnut Hill Rd.
www.charlieshapiro.org
charlie@voteshapiro.org

PS: We’re planning to have an event or two to say thank you and to help close out some campaign debt. We’ll send out info separately and I hope you can attend. (regardless of whether or not you’re able to contribute).

If you wish to help today, contributions are welcome on line at
http://charlieshapiro2011.org/contact-2/contribute/