This year’s campaigns are now over with a win for Area Council but a loss for Charter Commission. I do want to thanks the many people that encouraged me to run for the Charter Commission, the people that helped me during the race, the voters who cast a vote in my favor, the individuals and groups providing endorsements and the other candidates for the enjoyable interchanges along the way.

I learned quite a lot about running for a citywide office in Newton and would encourage others wavering about mounting a challenge for elected office to go for it. Worst case is meeting many great folks living and working in our community.