Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/page/330/?sfw=pass1705501616)
When I moved to the East End of Watertown almost fourteen years ago, it was a very consciouschoice. I was familiar with Watertown as I had often visited friends who lived here. I knew that the East End was only a short electric bus ride to the Harvard Square transit hub. The neighborhood was served by both the 71 and 73 bus lines. I liked the ethnic vibe.
I’m writing as a Watertown resident and community leader to make a full-throated endorsement for Nicole Gardner to become our next District A Town Councilor. I encourage all progressives who live in the East End to cast their ballots for Nicole on November 2nd. Having worked closely with Nicole on the steering committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice, and the Environment, I have seen her dedication to this community firsthand. Nicole has proven herself to be an open-minded and humble collaborator, taken the initiative on projects when she saw the need, and shown strong leadership. Her creativity, energy, and critical thinking will be an asset to our entire town.
We write to you today to enthusiastically endorse Daniel D’Amico for Watertown Councilor at-large. As parents of children in town, we have all worked with Dan over the years and know him as a thoughtful, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking leader. He has volunteered his time in town, most recently serving as a community member on the WFPL Strategic Planning Committee in 2020-21. He has also spent the last 15 years coaching the children of Watertown and instilling in them the values of teamwork, fair play, and hard work and we know he would bring these skills to the Town Council if elected. Dan is a lifelong resident of Watertown and has a long history of engagement in town, yet he is committed to serving Watertown in a way that is inclusive of all views.
Watertown has had a challenging year, yet, working together, we’ve made much progress in building a stronger community. I’m John Gannon, and for the last two years I’ve had the honor of serving as one of your four town councilors at-large. I grew up here, the beneficiary of a rich, colorful, multicultural Watertown upbringing. I graduated from Watertown High, inspired and guided by my teachers to begin a life of public service. I chose to remain in Watertown after college and law school, attracted by that samecommunity spirit that welcomes new residents to establish their lives here, too.
Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment’s October monthly meeting will focus on the proposed changes to the Watertown Town Charter. Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment sent out the following information:
The meeting will be held Wednesday, October 27 on Zoom, 6:45 PM to Chat, 7:00 PM for Program
Are You Ready To VOTE on the Changes to the Watertown Charter? When you go to the poll on November 2 to elected Councilors, School Committee Members, and Library Trustees you will also see two questions about Watertown’s Home Rule Charter. We invite you to learn more about these questions and how your vote will change the future of Watertown. Join us at Watertown Citizens’ October Monthly Meeting for a discussion about the Charter amendments and the ballot questions.
Rachel Kay is a data scientist, a Lowell School mom, and a determined advocate for the students and families of Watertown. She is now running for Watertown School Committee and, if elected, her unique voice will be an excellent addition to school leadership in our community. “Data” has become a trendy thing to talk about, and for good reason because it can be extremely valuable to a well-functioning organization. But, it can be misused or used in an ineffective manner. That is where Rachel’s background will be such a huge asset to our school system.
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.”
DeMarco recently added “Here’s Trouble” to his cartooning lineup, inspired by drawings he did in the 1980s when he was in high school.
Charlie BreitroseBuses like this one on the 71 bus will get priority heading toward Harvard Square on Mt. Auburn Street in the new Cambridge-Watertown Bus Priority Pilot program. The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:
The MBTA and MassDOT will host a virtual public meeting on Zoom on Wednesday, October 27, at 6 p.m. to discuss the Bus Network Redesign Project. An initiative of the Better Bus Project, the MBTA and MassDOT’s Bus Network Redesign Project is taking a look at the bus system as a whole in order to recommend a new network that better serves the needs of the region. The project’s second public meeting will present the approach and principles used by MassDOT and the MBTA to propose a transformed bus network through the Bus Network Redesign process.