Nonantum Neighborhood Association President Terry Sauro says Newton City Councilor Allison Leary's written apology for calling the neighborhood anti-immigrant and largely Republican doesn't match the community she knows.

"When I saw the debate, I was shocked," Sauro told Fig City News. "I was disgusted by her comment. That's not who we are."

The dispute traces back to the Wednesday, July 22 Charles River Regional Chamber debate between Leary and incumbent State Rep. John Lawn. Defending her ties to Nonantum, Leary said of residents: "I know all those people. I work with all those people. They don't want housing. They don't want immigrants. Many of them are Republicans."

Lawn challenged her on the spot, saying she owed Nonantum an apology. Leary initially refused.

Several days later, Leary issued a public Facebook statement and a written apology to Fig City News. She called her remarks "wrong, disrespectful," described Nonantum as "a neighborhood built by immigrants," and acknowledged residents hold a wide range of views on housing and development. She said she has begun reaching out to residents personally "not to defend what I said, but to listen."

Sauro, the daughter of an original St. Mary of Carmen Society member and sister of longtime Society President Tony Gentile, said the characterization ignored Nonantum's welcoming history and its diverse political makeup. She pointed to the 91st Festa celebration, which ran July 15–19 at Pellegrini Park and drew record-matching crowds.

"Everybody comes together," Sauro said. "Whether you're Asian, Black, White, Hispanic – everyone comes. I watched a family who had just immigrated here showing their son his first fireworks at the Festa. That's who we are."

On housing, Sauro said residents' concerns about two Chapter 40B proposals on Crafts Street center on density, traffic, and parking. "It's not that we're against development," she said. "Good development with sufficient parking. But two 40B developments in one location causes a lot of traffic concerns." Sauro herself told the Zoning Board of Appeals in January that the 38 Crafts Street proposal could be "workable" if communication with residents improved.

Leary has lived in Nonantum for 25 years, according to Sauro. "She knows who we are. She knows we're welcoming," Sauro said. "It makes no sense to make such a hurtful, disgraceful comment."

While she said she appreciated the apology, Sauro added that rebuilding trust requires more than words. "A heartfelt apology is only meaningful if it's followed by accountability and a genuine change in how people are treated," she said. "Many in this community are still waiting for apologies for past attacks and disrespectful comments that were never acknowledged."

Leary is challenging Lawn in the Tuesday, September 1 Democratic primary for the 10th Middlesex House seat, which covers portions of Nonantum, Newton Corner, Waltham, and Watertown. Nonantum is one of the district's largest and most active voting neighborhoods.