Around Town

LETTER: Don’t Move Polling Location to Senior Housing, Risk Spreading COVID-19

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Dear Editor Charlie Breitrose and Others To Whom It Concerns:

I am a senior who lives at 100 Warren Street in Watertown MA, which is SENIOR HOUSING.  

We learned this weekend that Watertown is moving its voting location for District 11 and 12 elections for 2020 to be held in my residential building. “Pursuant to Section 11 of Chapter 115 of the Acts of 2020, the City Clerk has prepared the following report relative to moving the polling place for Precinct 11 & 12 from the Cunniff School 246 Warren St to the E. Joyce Munger Apartments 100 Warren St: Report on Precincts 11 & 12 Polling Place Change Dated 08/06/2020”

The seniors, handicapped residents and people of color who live here represent the highest risk population for COVID-19. It is not acceptable to have the elections in our building, period. It should never have been considered. This cannot be made “safe” no matter what we are told. The way for us to be “safe” is for it not to happen at all. To force residents to accept this decision is to be without compassion and conscience and shirks the implied duty of persons in authority to protect those in your care. This is our home! During this virus crisis, many people have been very creative in making lives work well in a deadly unwell environment. For example, since March all sorts of certifications and guidelines have been relaxed statewide to achieve desperately needed results. Surely our state and local officials can find a way to do that in this situation – another site needs to be found. How about a tent?

Around Town

Council Preview: Proposed Polling Places Changes, Water/Sewer Rates, Noise Ordinance

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Watertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in the Massachusetts Presidential Primary. Early voting runs through Friday. The Town Council will discuss proposed changing the locations of three poling places for this fall’s elections on Tuesday. The agenda also includes the vote on the water/sewer rates. Beforehand, a Council subcommittee will discuss proposed changes to the Noise Ordinance.

29th Middlesex

State Rep. Candidate Backed by Group of Town Councilors

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Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. The following announcement was provided by the Steve Owens for State Representative campaign:

A coalition of current and former Town and City Councilors on both sides of the 29th Middlesex district have endorsed Steve Owens to be Cambridge and Watertown’s next State Representative. The current Town Councilors in Watertown that have endorsed Steve Owens includes Anthony Palomba, Caroline Bays, and Lisa Feltner. Past Town Councilors in Watertown include Susan Falkoff and Aaron Dushku. “I am supporting Steve and asking you to do the same on Tuesday, September 1 because he is a progressive activist and proven leader ready to take on the many challenges facing Massachusetts,” said current Watertown Town Councilor Anthony Palomba.

Elections

LETTER: State Rep. Lawn Thanked for Role in Passing Election Law

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State Rep. John Lawn of Watertown, who represents the 10th Middlesex District. To the Editor,

Massachusetts voters will have many new ways of casting a ballot this fall thanks to an emergency bill passed by the legislature and signed into law a few short weeks ago. The law will help ensure that no Bay Stater has to choose between their right to vote and their health by sending mail ballot applications to all registered voters, providing a safer in-person voting experience by providing PPE and additional early voting options, and streamlining administrative procedures for local elections officials. There are many other changes as well as these toplines, all designed to modernize ourelection system and make it safer and more participatory. It is an outstanding example of moving forward for the benefit of all Bay Staters, and one of the strongest election reforms in the country.

29th Middlesex

Healthcare Union Endorses Candidate for Watertown State Rep.

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Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. The following announcement was provided by the Steve Owens for State Representative campaign:

Candidate for State Representative of the 29th Middlesex District Steve Owens has been endorsed by both 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and SEIU Local 509. Primary Day is September 1st. “I am honored to be endorsed by 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Their advocacy on behalf of healthcare workers is a mission that I will carry with me to the State House.

Around Town

Sen. Markey Addresses Opioid Crisis at Watertown Campaign Stop

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U.S. Sen. Edward Markey speaks with Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, right, and Town Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli before an event in Watertown. Former State Rep. Rachel Kaprielian is standing next to Markey. Even as people face a pandemic, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey said another epidemic continues to threaten the health of people in Watertown, Massachusetts and across the nation: opioid addiction. The Democrat attracted to a few dozen supporters (and a couple detractors passing by on Main Street) to a campaign event at a balmy Saltonstall Park on Monday afternoon. Markey recalled how in 2014 he was in Taunton to address a Martin Luther King Jr. Day event and when he asked the Town Manager what the biggest problem in town was, he was told that they were having a rash over overdoses.

29th Middlesex

Mass. Peace Action Endorses Steve Owens for State Representative

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Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. The following announcement was provided by the Steve Owens for State Representative campaign:

Massachusetts Peace Action, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization workingto develop the sustained political power to foster a more just and peaceful U.S foreign policy has endorsed Steve Owens in the race to fill the 29th Middlesex district’s House seat. “We are proud to endorse Steve Owens for State Representative for 29th Middlesex (Watertown, Cambridge)! Steve is a progressive candidate who supports green, affordable public transportation and housing. He champions the Safe Communities Act for immigrant protections.” – Massachusetts Peace Action

Through grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and community education, Massachusetts Peace Action promotes human rights and global cooperation, seek an end to war and the spread of nuclear weapons, and support budget priorities that re-direct excessive military spending to meeting human and environmental needs in our communities.

Elections

Steve Owens Endorsed by Environmental Group, Co-Hosting Virtual Town Hall

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Democratic activist and Democratic State Committee member Steve Owens is running for the State Representative seat that Jon Hecht will be leaving. The following announcement was provided by the Steve Owens for State Representative Campaign:

Candidate for State Representative of the 29th Middlesex District Steve Owens has been endorsed by both the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund and 350 Mass Action. Primary day is September 1st. “I am honored to be endorsed by the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund and 350 Mass Action. The climate crisis is the defining issue of our time and I will work relentlessly with them and other environmental activists to pass laws that protect our environmental legacy, create green jobs and leave the next generation a future and world that we can be proud of.”