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Senate Democrats shuffled Norwood‘s voting precincts to patch up an unconstitutional geographical gap in a controversial new Wellesley, Walpole, and Hyde Park senatorial district. The oversight came to light when Ann Jacobs, a reporter at The Patriot Ledger State House Bureau, discovered that the proposed district’s towns were not contiguous—specifically, Canton and Walpole were physically separated by two South Norwood precincts that had been assigned to Sen. Arthur Lewis of Boston.
When Ann Jacobs brought the defect to the attention of Rep. George C. Keverian of Everett, co-chairman of the Redistricting Commission, it revealed that it was impossible to travel from Hyde Park to Wellesley without crossing through an entirely different senatorial district. Realizing the mechanical error during a five-hour debate, Senate Majority Leader Joseph DiCarlo of Revere, co-chairman of the commission, called a recess to draft a corrective amendment. To fix the non-contiguous boundary, the amendment shifted Precinct F—comprising all of Norwood east of Route 1—into the new district.
The broader redistricting plan—designed to establish a black senatorial district in Boston—was ultimately approved by the Senate on a 23 to 9 vote and sent to the House. However, the plan drew sharp criticism from local lawmakers because it split Norwood across multiple senatorial districts and combined suburban towns with Boston’s Hyde Park. Sen. John Quinlan of Norwood decried the plan as a fiasco, declaring that the people of Norwood were being carved up like a Thanksgiving Day turkey, a sentiment echoed by Senate Minority Whip David H. Locke of Wellesley. Two separate attempts by Sens. Timilty and Locke to consolidate Norwood into a single district were defeated. The final voting lineup against the plan included Sens. Quinlan, Timilty, Locke, and John Aylmer of Barnstable.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Record Field of Twelve Candidates File Nomination Papers for Selectman Special Election-September 1, 1976
An unprecedented field of 12 candidates officially submitted nomination papers by the 5:00 p.m. filing deadline, setting the stage for a crowded October 5 special election to fill the Board of Selectmen vacancy created by the August 6 death of Charles L. Rich. Political observers noted that this exceptionally large roster may establish a local…
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Jimmy Carter’s Quiet Campaign Visit to Norwood-July 02, 1976
Before his rise to the Presidency, a little-known Jimmy Carter spent a whirlwind morning shaking hands with residents along Washington Street in 1975.
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Norwood Novice Upsets Political Veterans to Capture Dem Nomination for State Rep-September 11, 1974
Twenty-two-year-old Harvard graduate William S. Sullivan defeats a field of six to win the Democratic primary for state representative in the 17th Norfolk District.
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41 Percent Voter Turnout in Norwood Primary-September 11, 1974
Warm weather and a competitive seven-way Democratic primary drive a 41 percent voter turnout in Norwood, while neighboring Wellesley battles electronic voting delays.
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The 17th Norfolk Representative District Democratic Nomination Race-July 16, 1974
(Pictured, Gregory W. Sullivan) As the summer of 1974 reached its peak, the residents of Norwood were abuzz with excitement and anticipation. The town was on the cusp of a significant event, one that would shape the future of its representation in the state legislature. On this day, July 16th, seven Democrats vied for the…
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Norwood Shuffled in State Senate Redistricting Proposals to Fix Constitutional Flaw-August 1, 1973
A reporting discovery by The Patriot Ledger revealed a major geographical flaw in a proposed State Senate redistricting map, forcing a last-minute shuffle of Norwood’s voting precincts.
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A Profile of Longtime Norwood Selectman John A. “Alec” Abdallah-October 5, 1968
A profile of longtime Norwood Selectman John A. “Alec” Abdallah, exploring his family roots, political philosophy, and dedication to the town he calls the crown jewel.
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140 Citizens Attend League of Women Voters Candidates Night at Norwood Junior High School-October 4, 1968
Approximately 140 citizens attend a League of Women Voters candidates night at Norwood Junior High School to hear state and county hopefuls debate welfare, veterans’ preferences, and government size.
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George C. Wallace Brings Presidential Bid To Norwood-July 10, 1968
On July 10, 1968, residents of Norwood and surrounding towns prepared for a visit from former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace, who was scheduled to bring his presidential campaign to the region the following day. As part of his effort to secure the 61,238 signatures required to place his name on the state election ballot,…
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Norwood Meeting Bill Passes-July 27, 1966
The Massachusetts Legislature passed a bill spearheaded by Rep. William Butters to expand Norwood town meeting membership from 200 to 300.
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