I feel lucky to live in Watertown. Five years ago, my wife and I moved our family here, to her childhood home, looking for connection, community, and a place to put down roots. We found all of that in abundance. From the start, I felt welcomed into this diverse, close-knit, and deeply engaged city.
I’m running for Councilor At-Large to build on Watertown’s positive trajectory and add a fresh, underrepresented perspective to its leadership. Tip O’Neill once said, “all politics is local.” At a concerning time in our nation, when much feels beyond our control, the choices we make locally — about housing, schools, transportation, and public space — have real power to improve our quality of life and reflect our shared values.
I was born in Accra, Ghana and raised in Reggio Emilia, Italy, before moving to the United States for college and proudly becoming a U.S. citizen in 2020. As an immigrant, I’ve seen first-hand the power of education, opportunity, and community to change lives. That experience drives me to fight for a Watertown where residents from every background can contribute and thrive.
The Comprehensive Plan, Climate & Energy Plan, and Watertown Square Area Plan lay out ambitious goals. These offer once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to create thriving public spaces, lead the way on climate resiliency, and fill the gaps in housing stock that contribute to our affordability crisis. But now we need to execute on those promises while facing uncertain times and economic headwinds.
These are all important elements of what I’m calling my Watertown 2040 vision. When I picture Watertown in 15 years, I imagine us having continued to make progress in the following areas, all of which I see as fundamental quality of life issues.
● Housing Affordability — taking decisive action to add housing of all kinds to ensure young families can settle here, seniors can remain in their community, and we can maintain the socio-economic diversity that differentiates Watertown from many of our neighboring towns and cities.
● Great Schools — continuing to invest in cutting-edge schools that prepare our kids for the future, addressing urgent issues of technology, safety, student mental health, inclusivity, and support for teachers and families. In 2040, I imagine Watertown Public Schools as among the best in the Commonwealth!
● Public Safety — supporting our first responders while also building community trust and resilience. Investing in technology, training and infrastructure to help our police, firefighters, and public health officials respond to a changing world.
● Climate Action — with dwindling support from the federal government, municipalities like Watertown must take the lead and double down on our commitments to reducing emissions, protecting open space, and investing in green infrastructure.
● Economic Vitality — supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, and courting a diversity of industries will make Watertown Square and our other commercial corridors into vibrant economic hubs. It will also help protect our tax revenue from market fluctuations like the lab slump we are currently experiencing.
● Technological Innovation — Embracing technology to deliver faster, smarter, and more accessible city services. Streamlining the city’s systems can identify opportunities to save tax payer dollars, increase transparency, and better support city staff.
● Community Building — leveraging our amazing library and other public spaces through creative programming and effective communications to broaden opportunities for neighbors to connect. Continuing to elevate Watertown as a fun, creative community with more public art, cultural events, and social gatherings that bring people together. Now is a time to find joy and support in community!
● Civic Engagement — encouraging more of our neighbors to get involved by strengthening transparency, accessibility, and opportunities for residents to contribute. We must work harder to bring new and underrepresented voices into the conversation while valuing the commitment and institutional knowledge of long-term, engaged residents.
● Impactful Spending — all of these previous goals are predicated on managing our budget with care so we can invest in the future without overburdening taxpayers. We will inevitably face choices about where municipal funds are best spent – I believe spending should be focused on long-term investments to improve our quality of life.
So why me? It’s true that many of us share a similar vision for Watertown’s future, and I am grateful for the productive work of our city leaders. But I believe I can add a fresh energy and perspective. If elected, I would be one of two millennials and the only immigrant and only Watertown Public School parent on the council. I have a unique perspective on the city’s trajectory, living with my in-laws who have been in Watertown since the 1970’s, while being a relative newcomer myself. My professional background in technology, finance, and real estate has provided me with critical skills to navigate complex challenges ahead.
My family’s tradition of service to this community has given me insight into the city’s operations and challenges, and allowed me to connect with diverse constituencies around town. Since 2022, as the Vice Chair of the Resident Advisory Committee, I’ve worked with the City Manager to staff Watertown’s 24 boards and commissions. Members of my household currently serve on the Planning Board, the Community Preservation Committee, the Stormwater Advisory Committee, and the Rapid Response Network supporting our immigrant neighbors.
My journey — from Ghana to Italy to the United States — has taught me that communities are strongest when they embrace new ideas and new people. I have experienced this city’s warmth firsthand, and I want every resident to feel that same sense of belonging and possibility. I aim to bring a new perspective to the Council — not to replace what has come before, but to broaden the conversation and encourage others to get involved. Much progress has been made through the hard work by our elected officials, staff and many engaged residents. But there’s more work to do. Together I believe we can make Watertown stronger than ever — more affordable, more sustainable, and more connected.
Leading up to the election this November, I look forward to meeting those of you whom I don’t know yet and hearing about your life experiences, concerns and dreams for our community. Please reach out to share your perspective. I’m always up to meet for coffee or a walk along the river!
From your website (it is not mentioned above):
“ I support policies that promote mixed-income housing, protect renters from displacement…”
Please define mixed-income housing. What does protecting renters from eviction mean? Are you for rent control? Or protection for whoever cannot/does not pay rent as contractually obligated?
“Housing of all kinds” it is a pretty broad statement. Does it include tiny houses wherever they could fit, like backyards, front lawns, etc.? Or studios above garages, or in attics? Kindly elaborate.
Thanks.
Erik – thanks so much for these thoughtful questions — let me try to clarify.
When I say mixed-income housing, I mean new projects that provide units affordable to a range of households — renters and buyer across the income spectrum. Options that fit our neighborhoods — like accessory dwelling units, smaller units for seniors, workforce and family housing, and larger mixed-use buildings in the right places.
Protecting renters isn’t about excusing unpaid rent. It’s about preventing unfair evictions, making sure there’s due process.
On rent control: Massachusetts doesn’t currently allow it. I think our focus should be on rent stability — longer notice before increases, preserving affordable housing we already have, and making it easier to build more homes so supply meets demand.
The bottom line: Watertown needs more housing choices and fair protections so people can afford to stay here, while still respecting neighborhood character.
Again, I appreciate your thoughtful comment!
Thanks for your response.
As Watertown ranks among the 10 more dense localities in MA I believe ADUs and similar plans would be detrimental to our City.
I think the HRC is already keeping a watchful eye on unfair evictions – should they find any.
And I have just noted your comment “At a concerning time in our nation…”
I suppose such is a criticism of the current administration endeavors. I am concerned too, but for far different reasons.
Thanks for further elaboration. I strongly favor ADUs and other housing entities that differ from the norm, as it would help to keep families together. This would address the need of eldercare and disability care. Right now, many people are caring for children and parents while working. Keeping everyone under one roof helps the caregivers a lot. It also prevents loneliness which is so prevalent in our society Having elders live with family is better than being in some 55 plus luxury housing, in my opinion. Then there are people caring for disabled persons. The lack of housing for disabled indviduals that is even remotely close to family is astounding!! Again an ADU would provide the caretaker with efficiencies, and some sense of relief. Many parents and family members of disabled persons often worry about that child or relative outliving them. It is an enormous burden. An ADU could also give the person with a disability a sense of independence with guardrails. Many programs that service this population will soon end under the OBB Bill. Many homeless have some sort disability and/or are veterans. Unfortunately disability is prevalent among the veteran community. Everything from TBI to PTSD hampers one’s ability function in so many ways. Living with a relative in an ADU situation would help a lot of veterans as well especially as their benefits are also being cut. In my opinion, you serve a veteran by ensuring they have benefits not just putting on a parade. This a way municipalities can step up to care for elders, disabled persons and veterans.
Theo is a gem of a human. Smart, balanced, thoughtful, worldly and action oriented. Let’s get him elected!
Good luck Theo. It’s always refreshing when people step up to serve instead of just sitting back to whine and complain!
Theo, you would be a welcome addition to the city council. We need councilors who understand that serving is a duty. The finance background will come in handy around budget time. Analyzing a budget is different from a bottom line focus. Plus the tech and real estate skills will remind the city how we communicate now and continue to give them a clue about the actual housing situation. I can already see you being valuable to certain committees and working well with staff in finance and tech.
We also need to be more representative of the actual residents. The average in Watertown is 38, not 71. Unless, independently wealthy, many 38 yr olds cannot show up because of children or work. Right now, we only have one person on the council who is under 38, and that only brings the average age down to 60. I hope you find ways to bring those residents in more, and as you mentioned, ways to integrate everyone into this community. Bravo!
Speaking of budgetary experience, I see that Tom Tracy is running for an at-large seat on the Council as well. As former Town (now City) Auditor for decades, his financial experience would be invaluable. Especially in the lean years we seem to be facing. Also, the Auditor reports to the Council President, so Mr. Tracy knows how our local system of government works. I’ve never met him, but according to Charlie’s article at the time (https://www.watertownmanews.com/2022/10/13/city-auditor-sort-of-retiring-after-nearly-30-years-in-watertown/), he had earned the respect of all his colleagues and peers when he retired in 2022. In Messrs. Offei and Tracy, plus the incumbents, we have great candidates to consider this November!
Mr. Offei,
As a taxpayer, I am very unhappy with the lack of support for all residents across the city given by the Councilor at Large seats. They are too narrowly focused on the welfare of their own close neighborhoods and constituency, and not across all neighborhoods as they should be. The districts are too large and some neighborhoods are being underrepresented and overlooked.
I would like to see two Councilor at Large seats eliminated and the four Districts be redrawn into six new Districts with one District Councilor each.
What are your thoughts on this?
Mr. Offei, I’m Curious “The districts are too large and some neighborhoods are being underrepresented and overlooked.” Please elaborate.
Also – How would having 6 districts be better? Where is the make up of districts being represented not working?
Thanks
To clarify, I believe you are responding to a comment from Dean Martino.
The same 5 out of 12 voting precincts consistently contribute over 50% of total votes cast in city elections. Voting precinct 3,4,7,8, and 10 drive Watertown’s election outcomes and its future direction. Look up where they are. Those five precincts consistently have the largest voter turnouts and decide what happens in Watertown. Those same five voting precincts are who determine which CALs get elected. The CALs are beholden to those same five districts if they want to keep their seats.
It’s an interesting idea but it would likely require a charter change. I’d be open to discussing it in the upcoming charter review.
My experience of dealing with at-large councilors is not that they are beholden to their districts. I think they understand that they are representing “at-large”. I’m not sure why you think this. Getting people to vote is a complicated and sometimes impossible feat. I’m not sure where the at-large councilors live has that much of an influence. However, I too would like to see younger people on the council. Tom Tracy is a step back to our government when it was an old-boy network, not too long ago. I’m of his generation and while I believe I still have something to offer, we need different perspectives. Theo sounds very engaged with new ideas and the ability to listen. All good to me.
The old boys can speak for themselves, but I think Councilors Bays, Feltner, Gardner, and Izzo—fully half the Council—would beg to differ. But you’re right that election winners should not be judged on who/where voted for them. At Large seats are town-wide elections in a geographically small town. There are five candidates for four seats. Good luck to all: may the four highest vote-getters win. (Spoiler alert: they will!)