By Wenhua Zhang, Newton, Mass.
My name is Wenhua Zhang. I am a parent of Newton Public School student.
What is Charter Commission? The Newton Charter is like our city’s constitution. On November 3, Newton voters will vote for 9 people to serve on a 2-year commission to review our city Charter. The changes proposed by the commission must be approved by voters in November of 2017.
Why are you running? I add diversity to the Commission, and I come with an open mind to listen to voters. According to The Census Bureau, more than 1 out of 8 residents in Newton are Asian, which is also the fastest growth group in the Garden City. I volunteer in Angier School, as well as in the Asian community at Newton Chinese Language School.
What is your background? I came to the United States from China at the age of 23. I had no money, but this nation gave me a chance to prove myself. I went to the Wharton School to get my MBA degree, then worked for several investment funds and one university – Harvard Management Company where I served as Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager. Now I want to give back to the city that has been so good to me and to my children. Please visit my website wenhuazhang.com for details.
What is your plan to work on the Commission? I will approach the Charter Commission as I have approached every project in finance: with close scrutiny to facts and to data with no pre-conceived notions. I will be as studious and analytical as I was when investing on behalf of pension funds and universities.
Some of the issues that I believe deserve rigorous research and deliberation include:
- Whether to downsize the Board from 24 members to a smaller number. There is evidence to suggest that downsizing may increase the efficiency of government, but we need to examine second-order effects carefully.
- Whether to term-limit aldermen in accordance with the School Committee’s policy of eight-year terms.
- Whether to lengthen aldermanic terms and stagger their elections so that Newton voters are not asked to remember dozens of candidates every two years.
- Whether to professionalize the zoning and land use functions
Please let me know your thoughts on my website wenhuazhang.com. I will analyze these issues methodically and debate them collegially. I am proud to offer my time and expertise to the Garden City and I ask for your vote on November 3.