Around Town

Watertown Group Seeks to Pass Nuclear Disarmament Resolution

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The following announcement was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

The Peace and Security Working Group of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment took the first step last week in preparing to petition the town to pass a nuclear disarmament resolution. On February 21 the group held an online presentation and discussion entitled “Let’s Pass a Back from the Brink Resolution in Watertown!” The speakers were local leaders from such organizations as International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Pax Christi Massachusetts. All have succeeded in persuading their city or town elected boards to pass resolutions intended to reduce the risk of nuclear conflict. Each resolution is based on five points from the organization Prevent Nuclear War (preventnuclearwar.org), which include pursuing agreements, ending the sole authority of any U.S. president to launch an attack, and taking U.S. nuclear weapons off hair-trigger alert. Lillian Koizumi, who organized the event, says she believes the same thinking that justifies the possession of nuclear weapons justifies war and violence.

Government

Residents Wanted to Serve on City Boards and Committees

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Watertown has openings on several City boards and committees, including the Council on Aging, Traffic Commission, Watertown Housing Authority, Board of Assessors, Cultural Council, and the Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee. The City sent out the following announcement:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the following City Boards, Commissions and Committees with appointment dates in May 2024 in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to City Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Traffic Commission

Vacancy/Term:  One Member, Two Year Term 

Description: The duties and responsibilities of the Traffic Commission shall include: study the traffic situation in the City and shall suggest and advise the City Manager in ways and means to regulate traffic in the City and recommend changes and amendments to the Traffic Rules and Orders of the City with a view towards reducing accidents and relieving traffic congestion.   The Traffic Commission meets the last Wednesday of each month.

Entertainment

Bestselling Author Appearing at Library, See How to Attend

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

On Thursday, March 21, The Watertown Free Public Library will welcome New York Times bestselling author Celeste Ng for a conversation about her novel Our Missing Hearts, the importance of libraries, and the present-day fight for the right to read. This event is free and open to all, with registration opening on March 1. ASL and CART services will be provided, courtesy of the Watertown Commission on Disability. Ng’s visit marks the 16th year of One Book, One Watertown, a community-wide event organized by the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL). In January, the Library announced Ng’s Our Missing Hearts as the 2024 selection and made extra copies available for patrons.

Around Town

Free Kingian Nonviolence Training Taking Place in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseA closeup of the section of the Kingian Nonviolence Mural featuring Martin Luther King. Watertown residents can attend a free training in the nonviolence philosophy and methodology of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. The 16-hour course takes place on March 2 and 9. The following information was provided by the organizers:

There is a free Community Kingian Nonviolence Training  course being offered on March 2 + 9 at the Watertown Police Department Community Room. All residents, including older students, and those that work in Watertown are welcome! The content is engaging and interactive and focuses on the principles and actions of nonviolence in the context of the Civil rights movement and beyond.

Around Town

LETTER: Endorsements for Republican State Committee Members

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On March 5th Massachusetts Republicans and unenrolled voters will be choosing whom they think ought to be the GOP Nominee for President of the United States. Just as important, we will be choosing who represents us on the Republican State Committee.  The State Committee is a board of 80 members, 40 men and 40 women, who elect the MA-GOP Chair, set the state party platform, and direct resources. They decide whether or not the party will rebuild by focusing on legislative and other local offices, or whether we will continue focus our resources, as the Establishment has always on done, on marquis offices, that bring a lot of money for high-priced consultants who are connected with the Establishment; all to the detriment of party building. 

I am proud to enthusiastically endorse John Umina and Catherine Umina for State Committeeman and Committeewoman, respectively, in the Suffolk and Middlesex District. The district comprises Belmont, Watertown, Brighton, and Back Bay Boston.I’ve known both John and Cathy for over a decade and worked closely with both on a multitude of campaigns for Republican candidates, conservative ballot questions, and many issues which face Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Republican Party. No matter the need, both John and Cathy were there to help and even spearhead the effort.  

When I served as President of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly 5th Chapter, John served as my Vice President. Our Chapter was the largest at the time and the most active.

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition Hosting Event at Gore Place

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The Watertown Business Coalition announced its latest networking event at one of Watertown’s (and Waltham’s) hidden gems. See the announcement below. Join us at our next WBC Coffee Connect as we give a warm welcome to the new Executive Director at Gore Place, Gavin Kleespies!  Gore Place, you say?  Isn’t that in Waltham?  Technically…a large swath of the Estate is in Watertown – – so we are taking it upon ourselves to welcome Gavin to the community and showcase some of the prettiest landscape in Town.  So, come meet Gavin & staff and enjoy coffee and pastries in the restored 1793 Carriage House. Join Us for a WBC Coffee Connect at Gore Place

52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA

Wednesday, February 28th

8:30 am to 9:30 am

RSVP HERE

If you have yet to check out Gore Place, now is your chance!  Thank you to Gavin for being our host for the morning! This event is FREE and open to:

WBC MEMBERS

Watertown Residents

Watertown Businesspeople

Employees of local companies or non-profits

Our programming aims to help connect our community and residents to the City’s issues and initiatives.  Our morning Coffee Connects, After Hours get-togethers and Civic Events will continue to give you the opportunity to visit places of business in town, meet people, learn something, chat with city government … and maybe even have a laugh along the way.

Entertainment

Comic: See What Small Saves Picked Up at the Sporting Goods Store

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Around Town

OP-ED: MBTA Service in Watertown Takes the Cake: Worst Service Ever!

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MBTA buses operating in Watertown Square. (Photo by Mark Pickering)

By Mark Pickering

When it comes to MBTA service, residents in numerous Boston neighborhoods and abutting communities would love to say they have the worst. They’d be wrong. Watertown “wins” hands down. A Boston Globe article (“Missed connections at Nubian,” Feb.