Endorsers (as of October 23, 2009)
Elected Officials
State Senator Cynthia Stone Creem, State Representative Kay Khan, State Representative Peter Koutoujian, Alderman Susan Albright, Alderman Paul Coletti, Alderman Victoria Danberg, Alderman Ted Hess-Mahan, Alderman Anthony Salvucci, Alderman Sydra Schnipper, President Emeritus of the Board of Alderman Verne Vance, School Committee Member Susie Heyman, School Committee Member Kurt Kusiak, School Committee Member Claire Sokoloff, School Committee Member and Former Chair Dori Zaleznik…
Community Leaders
Annamaria Abernathy, Joe Albanese, Gary Alpert, Mary Adelstein, Sharalyn Arntz, Rubyna Ajanee, Barbara Balasa, Mandy Bass, Peter Barrer, Carol Beard, Tamara J. Bliss, George Bower, Dr. Halina Brown, Fred Brustman, Louise Bruyn, Sandra & John Butzel, Joy Chertow, Gerry Chervinsky, Chris Chu, Laurie & Bob Cleveland, Sally A. Cohen, Daphne Collins, Former Mayor Thomas B. Concannon, George Cooke, Audrey Cooper, Kitty Cox, Marty & Bob Cowden, Nancy Criscitiello, Matt Cuddy, Deena David, David Del Porto, Leslie & David Diamond, Doug Dickson, Lucia Dolan, Marcia & Ivan Drootin, Kevin Dutt, Sarah Ecker, Charles S. Eisenberg, Paul Eldrenkamp, Alan & Marcia Marker Feld, Dr. John Ficarelli, Henry Finch, Newell Flather, Katherine Gekas, Ellen Gibson, Rob Gifford, Gail Glick, Paul M. Glickman, Jan Goldstein, Aaron Gornstein, Dr. Arvin Grabel, Ann Grantham, Ted Gross, Holly Gunner & Anne Chalmers, Steve Hamilton, Betsy Harper, Ann Morse & William Hartner, Louise Hauser, Reverend Howard Haywood, Philip B. Herr, Barbara Herson, Deborah Hirsch, Adele Hoffman, David & Ruth Housman, Fiora Houghteling, Dr. Frank Howard, Jennifer Huntington, Elsie Hurst, Arthur Jackson, Martina & Daniel Jackson, Vicki Jacobs, Ronda Jacobson, Judy Jaffe, Helen Jordan, Constance & William G. Kantar, Ruth & Jonathan Kantar, Leslie Mann & Alan Kaplan, Andrea Kelley, Bill Kelley, Patricia Kellogg, Liz Kirsch, Jody Klein, Amelia Koch, Andrea Kozinetz, Cynthia Krane, Ira Krotick, Curt Lamb, Treff LaFleche, Francoise LaMonica, Former School Committee Member and Chair Anne Larner, Bob Larner, Jack Leader, Jane Leighton, Nancy Levine, Roberta Leviton, Mary Lewis, Barbara & Keith Lietzke, Former Board of Aldermen President Brooke K. Lipsitt, Dr. Paul Lipsitt, Ellen Lipson, Bart Lloyd, Samuel Magruder, Robin Maltz, Marian Mandell, MaryEllen McAndrews, Kevin McCormick, Joan McGrath, Carol McPherson, Josephine McNeil, Peter Meyer, Ben Miller, Jim & Toni Miller, Terry Morris, Linda Morrison, Joyce G. Moss, Rosemarie Mullin, Dr. Srdjan Nedelkovic, Susan Neisuler, Ruth Nemzoff, Eric Olson, Mary Margaret Pappas, Deborah Pierce, Marion & David Pollack, Liz Richardson, Martha Richmond, Ted Ritchie, Carol Robinson, Virginia Robinson, Sean Roche, Dino Rossi, Ruth Rosenblatt, Dan Ruben, Peter Sachs, Former Alderman Christine Samuelson, Claudia Sauerman-Wu, Esther Schlorholtz, Marcie Scudder, Frances C. Seasholes, Jane Sender, Carol Ann Shea, Rohna Shoul, Cindy Shulak-Rome, Sheila Shulman, Mindy Gregory Sieber, Ken Sinclair, Nancy Slamin, Gayle A. Smalley, Faye Snider, Ted Stehle, Former Alderman John Stewart, Gayle Stone-Turesky, Lynne & Jim Sullivan, Lynn Sweet, Marcia Tabenken, Myra Tattenbaum, Heather Tausig, Dr. Silvia & Dr. Enrique Testa, Laura Thompson, Beth Tishler, Jon Turesky, Melissa Turesky, Ted Tye, Garrett Van Siclen, James Vance, Nicole Vance, Philip Vance, Peter Vanderwarker, Philip Vergragt, Daniel Violi, Dede Vittori, Andris Vizulis, Mark Wadness, Jay Walter, Josh Weiss, Elizabeth Wilkinson, John Wilson, Barbara & Jerry Wise, Mary Wright, …
"Deb Crossley: A Constructive Candidate"
Newton TAB Wednesday September 23, 2009
On November 3, all Newton voters get a chance to give the Board of Aldermen a breath of fresh air. Deb Crossley, who is a candidate-at-large for ward 5, will bring her special skills as an architect and her experience as a community leader to the Board. Not only that, she is forthright, compassionate and indefatigable.
She has been my friend for all the years she has lived in Newton. Get to know her as a candidate and you will like her too.
Mary T. Adelstein
Gammons Road
"Crossley: Bold and Bright""
Newton TAB Wednesday August 19, 2009
I’m writing to urge all Newton voters to join me in electing Deb Crossley as Alderman-at-Large from Ward 5.
I’ve gotten to know Deb over the past few years, and I know that her decades of community service experience and activism provide a unique background for her candidacy for Alderman. Deb’s work with the League of Women Voters, her instrumental role in passing the Community Preservation Act, and her expertise in energy, building construction, and city planning will bring much-needed change and new perspective to the Aldermen.
Deb understands that Newton must embrace bold initiatives to maintain and improve city services and facilities without relying on property tax increases. She has the knowledge and intelligence to help lead the badly-needed effort to fix our embarrassingly dilapidated city buildings, especially some of our elementary schools, which have been allowed to fall into disrepair. Deb is committed to energy-efficient rehabilitation that will lower future maintenance and operating costs while affording our community with excellent spaces – both interior and exterior, recreational land – that we associate with a great place to live like Newton.
Deb will also work to change Newton’s antiquated zoning laws to bring vitality back to our village centers, not only to increase Newton’s commercial tax base, but also to make available more affordable housing opportunities so older residents who flourished in Newton and young couples who grew up in Newton can afford to stay here, and our school teachers and police and firefighters can afford to live here.
For over 20 years Deb and her husband have made Newton their home, raising a family, sending children through Newton schools. Now she seeks office to give back, to preserve our great city for current residents and enhance it for future generations. Please support Deb Crossley for Alderman-at-Large from Ward 5!
Ruby Ajanee
Sumner Street
"Crossley represents the future, not business as usual"
Newton TAB Wednesday September 23, 2009
I strongly support Deb Crossley’s candidacy for Alderman-at-Large from Ward 5. She will be a breath of fresh air among our overgrown and slow moving Board of Aldermen.
I have served with Deb on the Citizen’s Commission on Energy for the past half a dozen years. I have also watched with amazement how she dedicated thousands of hours over the years to work with the Comprehensive Planning Committee, High Performance Building Coalition, the Energy Commission, League of Women Voters, and other civic platforms. Deb Crossley has a very rare mix of a broad vision for Newton and a command of the technical and political details of issues that are necessary to get the business of politics done. She is effective.
Newton is facing a great challenge: in the times of great budget constraints how do we become a first rate 21st century city that drastically reduces its energy consumption while maintaining its superior services and physical beauty? Deb Crossley is the right person to address this challenge. She represents the future, not the business as usual, she thinks out of the box, and her dedication to Newton is unmatched. She has architect’s professional knowledge of the city planning, tremendous experience and political savvy. She is a natural leader, a great listener, and a consensus builder. These qualities will greatly enrich BOA at this turning point in Newton’s life.
Deb Crossley will get things done. We are lucky to have Deb run for the public office. I hope that all Tab readers will join me in voting for Deb Crossley on November 3.
Halina S. Brown
Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, Clark University
Member, Newton Citizen's Commission on Energy
Cloverdale Road
"Crossley brings right skills, experience and temperament"
Newton TAB Wednesday October 7, 2009
I first got to know Deb Crossley several years ago when we worked together to pass the Community Preservation Act in Newton. I was impressed by her tireless energy, creativity and ability to find common ground among the coalition of interests that made up the political action committee.
When I served on the Community Preservation Committee, Deb organized a League of Women Voters review panel that offered enormously valuable, independent assessments of CPA proposals. She was also the architect for several affordable housing projects and an advocate for sound energy standards in CPA-funded restoration and construction.
I was in a position to closely observe Deb's leadership in connection with the League of Women Voters, the Comprehensive Plan and the Energy Commission. The common thread in all these roles was Deb's ability to create focus, articulate realistic goals and engage others in achieving them.
All of these qualities will serve Deb well on the Board of Aldermen, which needs someone with her leadership skills to bring the board together. The board will also benefit from her architectural skills in working to rebuild and repair our long-neglected infrastructure and her knowledge of energy conservation in developing more cost-efficient and environmentally sound approaches to operating our facilities.
In a time of tight finances, we need creative solutions. Deb Crossley brings the right skills, experience and temperament to help the city achieve the results we so desperately need.
Doug Dickson
Former Chairman, Community Preservation Committee
Oxford Road
To The Editor, Newton TAB
Having worked on civic matters with Deb Crossley for about a dozen years, she has my unequivocal endorsement for Alderman at large from Ward 5. She knows the City well, cares deeply about it, and has the creative ability and skill at working with people that will make her an effective Alderman.
Deb’s participation on the Newton Housing Partnership has in relatively short time had a profound impact on that group’s effectiveness in moving developer’s proposals to better serve this community. The Natural Resources element of the Newton Comprehensive Plan owes its existence to her remarkable efforts in having put it together. Her insights contributed on a number of the other elements of the Plan, and her willingness to somehow despite family, work, and other civic demands always be there to help, often without recognition, were all of vital importance.
Going beyond just talking about zoning reform, Deb was one of the initiators of the “green” zoning amendment that for the first time put developers on notice that the City expects real efforts on that topic. It was adopted with (for Newton) unusual speed, in important part owing to her understanding of the topic and of how Newton government works, and her abilities for bringing people together. Those qualities will make her a terrific Alderman if given the opportunity.
Philip Herr
Chairman, Newton Housing Partnership
Former Chairman, 2007 Comprehensive Plan
20 Marlboro Street
"Newcomers in aldermen's race have strong credentials"
Newton TAB Wednesday September 16, 2009
The City of Newton faces severe challenges as the growth in community needs and the cost of services outpaces revenues. Which candidates on the November ballot are best equipped to help us maneuver wisely through these tough times?
Two newcomers running for aldermen stand out as having the experience and skills needed to help make good decisions that will strengthen our community – Deb Crossley (Ward 5 alderman at-large) and Ruthanne Fuller (Ward 7 alderman at-large).
Both Ruthanne and Deb have demonstrated solid knowledge of Newton’s key issues, strong work ethics, openness to new ideas, and determination to put Newton’s finances and services on stable footing. Both present records of concrete accomplishments.
Long active in the League of Women Voters (including time as president), Deb has built on her professional expertise as a working architect to work with the High Performance Building Coalition, the Energy Commission, and the Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee (among others) to advocate for better planning and increased energy efficiency and life-cycle costing for our building projects.
Ruthanne started her local activism working with the Chestnut Hill Association (including years as president) and more recently logged hours in leadership roles on the city-wide Blue Ribbon Commission and as vice chair of the Citizens’ Advisory Group, studying and reporting on the fiscal health and management practices of the city.
Both women know Newton and its issues better than many sitting aldermen. Based on their track records, both would add real value to the board and its ability to act wisely and in a timely manner. On November 3, vote Deb Crossley and Ruthanne Fuller for at-large aldermen (from Ward 5 and Ward 7 respectively). All Newton can vote for at-large seats.
Anne Larner
Former Chair, Newton School Committee
Myrtle Street
"Crossley has the training, experience and temperament we need on the board"
Newton TAB Wednesday September 23, 2009
As former President of the Board of Aldermen, I know the qualities it takes to be a successful contributing member of that board and to make a positive impact on life in our community. That’s why I strongly support Deb Crossley’s candidacy for Alderman-at-Large from Ward 5, and urge all city residents to join me in electing Deb in November.
I’ve gotten to know Deb well, having worked with her on affordable housing, energy, and environmental issues. As Co-Chair of the High Performance Buildings Coalition, I relied on Deb’s leadership in the technical area of our work where she demonstrated the intelligence and analytical skills that will enable her to provide a valuable new change in perspective for the Board.
Deb approaches every issue with an open mind. Her experience as President of the Newton League of Women Voters reinforced her basic approach, to consider all information before taking a position. She is unafraid of the hard work it takes to learn and evaluate all points of view on a subject.
Not only does Deb possess the temperament that we need on the Board, but her training and experience as a practicing local architect will move us forward in updating the many city buildings badly in need of maintenance. Deb is committed to life-cycle analysis and energy-efficient design to lower future operating costs while assuring the first rate public facilities that should be part of a great community like Newton.
Deb is committed to revamping Newton’s zoning laws to bring vitality back to our village centers and expand housing opportunities at all income levels. She and her husband have lived in Newton for over twenty years, raising their family here and sending their children through Newton schools. Please join me in supporting Deb Crossley for Alderman-at-Large from Ward 5!
Brooke K. Lipsitt
Former President, Newton Board of Aldermen
Kirkstall Road
"Crossley merits a place on the BOA"
Newton TAB Wednesday October 7, 2009
For over five years, I have served on the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy with Deb Crossley, a candidate for Ward 5 Alderman-At- Large. Through her years of participation in our monthly meetings, Deb has consistently contributed to the Energy Commission in ways that can give all Newton residents confidence that she will be a highly effective Alderman.
First, Deb brings a detailed understanding of the workings of our City government, with her service on the Energy Commission only one of several ways she has obtained such insight.
Second, Deb is an architect eager to lead Newton into a more sustainable future, especially with respect to energy efficiency and the associated cost savings and environmental benefits. She will work hard to ensure that Newton's schools, residents and businesses have access to - and are informed about - the latest utility programs and energy efficiency opportunities that recent state law has created. Third, Deb learns quickly and explains things well. Yet in spite of all she knows she also knows how to listen, and will modify her views when the facts compel a reassessment.
The last point I'll mention here is less about brains and more about heart:
it's clear as day that Deb Crossley just plain loves this town. She has put in so many years listening, debating, and learning, and now is eager to join the Board and work in a new way on the wide range of issues we face as a community. Let's let this woman continue her efforts on behalf of us all.
Eric Olson
Chairman, Newton Citizens Commission on Energy
Watertown Street
"Crossley's crosshairs ring true"
Newton TAB Wednesday August 26, 2009
I am writing in support of Deb Crossley for Alderman-At-Large from Ward 5. Over the more than twenty years that I have known and shared her friendship, I have developed a strong respect for Deb’s commitment both to our local neighborhood and to the city of Newton as a whole. She is an inspiring community leader who has worked tirelessly as a member of the Newton League of Women Voters and with numerous other city-wide groups to improve our city life.
I have been especially impressed with her work to further the development and implementation of plans to address the many environmental challenges Newton and other communities face. As an architect working in sustainable design, she understands technical steps necessary to effectively conserve energy and address climate change. As a resident who has worked closely with the city for many years, she also appreciates the organizational challenges that must be considered to implement change. Deb is involved in many other community issues as well and has worked tirelessly to advocate for programs to provide affordable housing for middle-income families, ensuring that Newton will continue to be the rich and diverse community that we all enjoy.
Deb is well acquainted with Newton’s governance structure and is a skilled advocate in the best sense of the word. More important, she is a thoughtful listener and articulate spokesperson able to appreciate the perspectives of others and to bring various constituencies together.
I am delighted that Deb Crossley is a candidate for Alderman. Newton will be very fortunate to have her as an elected official, and I strongly endorse her candidacy. All of Newton should vote for Deb on November 3!
Martha Richmond
32 Circuit Avenue
Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Suffolk University