Newton Candidate Profile: Martha Bixby For City Council

NEWTON, MA — With the Newton Municipal Election scheduled for Nov. 7, Patch is profiling the candidates.

Here, we learn more about Martha Bixby, who is running for ward councilor representing Ward 6 on the Newton City Council. She is running against Lisa Gordon to fill the seat being vacated by Brenda Noel, who has decided not to seek reelection.

Bixby co-founded Welcoming Newton and then Newton Neighbors.org and has never held public office.

Candidates were sent questionnaires and filled out the answers.

Name

Martha H. Bixby

How old will you be as of Election Day?

40

Campaign website

https://marthabixby.org

What city or town do you live in?

Newton, MA

What office are you seeking?

City Councilor

District

Ward 6

Education

Georgetown University School of Foreign Service

Occupation

After graduating from Georgetown, I worked in international human rights advocacy for the people of Darfur. I then worked in politics in Massachusetts and California, and helped lead an organization that supports families as they navigate pregnancy and early childhood. After moving to Newton, I co-founded Welcoming Newton and then Newton Neighbors (www.newtonneighbors.org). I recently served as Mason-Rice PTO co-president and I am involved in the Ward 6 Democratic Committee and the Safe Routes to Schools Taskforce.

Family

My husband and I are raising our two boys in Newton Highlands. They attend Newton Public Schools and play Newton Youth Soccer — I coach my older son's travel team. We love swimming in Crystal Lake and at the JCC, visiting Newton's delicious bakeries and ice cream shops, biking, and exploring Cold Spring Park.

Have you ever held a public office, whether appointive or elective?

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I am running because I am deeply committed to our Ward 6 villages, neighborhoods, and neighbors. I care about the stop signs and potholes and playgrounds in our neighborhoods and would ensure they are repaired and maintained. The small businesses that make up our village centers are the lifeblood of our community, and I would work tirelessly to support them. Through my work with Newton Neighbors, the Mason-Rice PTO, and many other Newton organizations and initiatives, I’ve seen the generosity, creativity, and energy of people in Newton and the challenges people face every day. I'm running for City Council to bring that perspective, and the voices of all of our neighbors, into our city government.

Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Keeping the best parts of Newton strong and thriving, and fixing or improving the things that are not working as well as they should. From road repaving to funding our schools, we can work together on the issues and projects that will help Newton stay vibrant, welcoming, and strong. As councilor, I would advocate for our Ward 6 villages and neighborhoods and connect with all residents to hear their perspectives and proposals.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My experience as a co-founder of Newton Neighbors, on the Mason-Rice PTO, as a parent of young children in our public schools, and as someone who is involved with the Safe Routes to Schools Taskforce and the Ward 6 Democratic Committee, gives me first-hand experience with the issues facing our residents.

I have a wide list of endorsements, including the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus PAC, the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund, 350 Mass Action Newton, the Newton Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce, and more. This reflects my commitment to our community and to issues of safety, the environment, and my positive vision for Newton's future.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

So much of our everyday success is determined by the immediate issues in front of us: making roads safe for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers; maintaining and restoring the ecosystem at Cold Spring Park and ensuring that Crystal Lake is swimmable and accessible for generations to come; in our schools, our fields, our playgrounds, our small businesses; by ensuring the reliability and safety of the 59 and 52 bus lines, and the Green Line, and the aqueduct paths that connect us.

There is more we can do to make our streets safe for all road users, especially increasing pedestrian and bike safety. Additionally, city councilors can and have advocated for increases in MBTA service, safety, and reliability on our bus lines, commuter rail, and the Green Line. I would join those efforts wholeheartedly as your Ward 6 city councilor.

I am deeply committed to raising up the voices and perspectives of Newton's most vulnerable residents. Through my work with Newton Neighbors, I've seen what's possible when Newton works together — and also the obstacles and challenges people face every day. I want to make sure Newton works for everyone, creating truly inclusive and accessible public spaces, advocating for improved public transit and better roads for all road users, protecting our open spaces and working to combat climate change at the local level.

As a parent of young children in NPS, I see firsthand what the needs and opportunities are, and would work tirelessly to support our educators and families. I will continue my work to advocate for our schools if elected to the council, pushing for full funding for NPS.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My commitment to social justice and community involvement has woven throughout my professional career. After graduating from Georgetown University, I worked fighting against the human rights abuses and atrocities in Sudan.

My work on this issue brought me into the halls of the United Nations, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, leading an initiative to deliver one million public comments to the White House, and helping to organize rallies on the National Mall, at the United Nations, and on Embassy Row.

I brought this commitment into working in local and state politics in Massachusetts and California, and then helped lead an organization that supported families as they navigate early childhood.

Over the past few decades, I’ve worked on big international issues and at the very local level — navigating the committees and departments of city government to put in a stop sign, advocating for reducing class sizes in our schools, establishing a pollinator garden and organizing vaccination clinics with the Newton Housing Authority. Throughout these varied experiences, I've worked with and advocated for people and communities around the world, and would bring the lessons I've learned and skills I've developed to Ward 6.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

When I was working on international issues, my grandfather reminded me "don't forget about what you can do right here at home." I am so grateful to have had opportunities in my career to work with and on behalf of people from around the world, and I also know that the "right here at home" is incredibly important. I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve as your city councilor, and to work on those issues that are so immediate, and so crucial to our quality of life.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I'm running for Newton City Council to bring an inclusive, community-focused voice to our local government. Please visit my website at marthabixby.org to learn more, ask questions, and connect! And I would be so grateful for your vote on Tuesday, November 7th (or early, or by mail.).