Tom Mountain for School Committee

Given Tom Mountain’s long association (7 years as a weekly columnist) with the Newton Tab and his personal friendships with the editors there, the question of the Tab’s endorsement in this race seemed a bit sticky. It would likely be considered by many to be a conflict of interest.

If the Tab did endorse him, would it be because of his close relationship with them?  If the Tab didn’t endorse him,would it be because they didn’t want to be seen as showing favoritism?

Tom decided it was best if he made it clear beforehand that he would not seek or accept an endoresement from the Tab.

Back in early August Tom Mountain sent the following press release to the Newton Tab, Boston Globe, NewTV News, and other interested parties across town:

PRESS RELEASE           AUGUST 12, 2009

FROM TOM MOUNTAIN, FORMER NEWTON TAB COLUMNIST

CANDIDATE FOR NEWTON WARD 8 SCHOOL COMMITTEE

“GIVEN MY LONG TENURE AS A STAFF COLUMNIST FOR THE NEWTON TAB/GATEHOUSE MEDIA, AS WELL AS MY PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP WITH THE CURRENT NEWTON TAB EDITORS WHO SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY DURING ALL OR MOST OF MY CAREER AT THE TAB, I HAVE CONCLUDED THAT IT WOULD BE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR THE NEWTON TAB TO ENDORSE MY CANDIDACY FOR ANY NEWTON POLITICAL OFFICE AT THIS TIME.”

“THEREFORE, I CAN NOT, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SOLICIT, NOR WILL I ACCEPT, ANY ENDORSEMENT BY THE NEWTON TAB FOR MY CANDIDACY FOR WARD 8 SCHOOL COMMITTEE THIS YEAR.”

Tom had expected the Tab to mention this in a news story. But instead the editors briefly referred to it in one of their Tab blogs. The Tab editors had some disagreement about it, but Tom felt it was the most honest course of action to take.

Therefore, Tom also did not take part in the Tab’s editorial meeting with all the candidates. The other three candidates did attend. Tom explained to the Tab editors the reason he did not attend.

Today the Tab announced its endorsement. It endorsed one of the other three candidates.

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