LETTER: Statement from City Councilor At-Large Candidate

My name is John Gannon, and for three terms, I’ve had the honor of representing Watertown as your city councilor at-large. I’m now running for re-election this coming Tuesday, November 4.

I was inspired to a career in public service by my family, teachers, coaches and members of this welcoming community. I grew up in Watertown and developed my own life here. My father, a partially-disabled WWII veteran, worked at the Watertown post office, delivering mail to our neighbors, and my mother, a first-generation American, worked as a secretary. They were proud members of the Greatest Generation, who both supported their respective countries in wartime
capacities, and instilled in me a lifelong spirit of giving back to my community.

I was the beneficiary of a full, diverse upbringing, living in a multi-ethnic neighborhood, and welcoming regular family visitors from other countries. After graduating from Watertown High School, where I was a student-athlete, I went to Brown University, then Suffolk University Law School, where I focused on becoming a local government attorney. My experience as a first-generation college and grad school student, balancing my studies while working multiple part-time jobs, taught me time management, the value of working as a team with colleagues of all backgrounds, and the need for a living wage to ensure that we can live in our communities. After law school, I embarked on a thirty-year career as a municipal law attorney, directly representing over 100 small towns and large cities, including Watertown and Somerville. As a municipal government professional now working for a state government entity, I handle legal issues for all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts and deliver presentations to local government officials on evolving issues and best practices. Last week, for example, I gave educational presentations to over 500 city and town officials, including Watertown’s own city finance team. Representing multiple communities statewide, I’ve learned how strong communities govern: they listen to the views of all of their residents, welcome dialogue, consider best practices and inspire responsive and effective public service.

Prior to and since my becoming a Watertown city councilor at-large, I have been an active volunteer. As a lifelong volunteer, I’ve worked with many organizations, including, for example, those focused on educating our children, counseling our neighbors who suffer from substance use disorders, protecting workers’ rights, coaching my neurodivergent son’s inclusive athletic teams, fighting for voters’ rights nationwide, protecting the environment. In particular, after advocating for the protection of wetlands statewide, I now serve on the Board of Advisors of the Charles River Watershed Association, protecting the water quality and open spaces that serve as Watertown’s environmental jewel. I also served ten years on Watertown’s zoning board, protecting our community’s strength and the vitality of our neighborhoods. In addition, after many years as a fighter for workers’ rights, I am now Vice President of a public sector union, advocating for thousands of employees statewide.

After 25 years of service to other municipalities, I became a Watertown City Councilor At-Large in 2019. Through working as a city councilor, I have been honored to bring the best ideas and approaches I learned in other communities and worked to apply them to provide the best local government services for all residents, all across our great community. Watertown is on the move. We’re building world-class schools; improving our local government to deliver responsive services for our residents; demanding neighborhood-friendly development that retains the character and charm of our community; fighting for climate readiness, quality affordable housing, expanding our parks; and building transparency and a welcoming environment for all. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we can’t stop now. Watertown faces new challenges, and I believe I have the experience, working with you, to continue serving our community. I am inspired by our future. I have a family of my own – I’m the proud dad of my neurodivergent son Will, 22, who has faced many challenges in his life, yet, with the support of our community, is now achieving his own success, living in his own Watertown home, and serving as a proud member of our local workforce.

I’m John Gannon, and I would be honored to have one of your four votes forcity councilor at-large in our local election on Tuesday, November 4. For further information about me, please visit my campaign website at GannonforWatertown.com. Thank you.