Election 2016

Devaney, Koutoujian Win in Watertown, Clinch Nominations

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Marilyn Petitto Devaney won the Watertown vote for Governor’s Council with 60 percent of the vote, and was declared the winner. Also, Sheriff Peter Koutoujian won Watertown with nearly 90 percent of the vote. The primary election only brought out 1,845 voters, or close to 8 percent of the registered voters in town. Town Clerk John Flynn said that amount is slightly higher than anticipated. Devaney, a former Watertown Town Councilor, received 1,004 votes in her hometown, but the district includes 27 communities.

Community Preservation Act

Community Preservation Act Approved to go on Watertown Ballot

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The Community Preservation Act in Watertown will be on the ballot in town this November when residents will get to vote on whether create a fund for open space, affordable housing and historical preservation by adding a surcharge to tax bills. This will be the second time the CPA has been on the ballot in Watertown. In 2005 the measure made the ballot but was voted down. This time a group called Invest in Watertown has resurrected the effort, and on Tuesday announce they had the signatures needed to get on the ballot. Even before the CPA officially made the ballot, the Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association came out opposing adding to the town’s tax rates for the CPA (see the group’s letter here).

Elections

A Couple Candidates with Local Ties on Thursday’s State Primary Ballot

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There’s an election this week on an unusual day – Thursday – and there are some locals on the ballot. The State Primary was moved to Thursday by Secretary of State William Galvin to avoid a conflict with the day after the Labor Day holiday. Polls will be open on Sept. 8 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Democrats have two contested races to vote in, and both races feature people with local ties. Longtime Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, a former Watertown Town Councilor will be running for reelection.

Elections

See What a Group of Voters Decided About Legalizing Marijuana in Mass.

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Following three days of presentations and testimony a group of voters from around the state have put together a statement to help voters navigate Question 4, the ballot measure that, if passed, would legalize the sale of marijuana in Massachusetts. The group of 20 voters, who are from a range of areas, backgrounds and ages, met in Watertown as part of the Massachusetts Citizens’ Initiative Review pilot program. State Rep. Jonathan Hecht was one of the people spearheading the effort, which also was lead by Tufts University’s Tisch School of Civic Life, as well as, Healthy Democracy, a group that started the CIR process in the state of Oregon. Last week, the voters heard from proponents and opponents of the ballot measure, along with five neutral experts in fields relevant to marijuana legalization, including health, finance, the law and people from states where marijuana has been legalized. The created a statement that, if the CIR process is adopted by the Massachusetts Legislature, would be included in the voter information pamphlet sent out by the Secretary of State’s office.

Elections

Group of Voters Consider Pros and Cons of Ballot Measure to Legalize Marijuana

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The ballot measure that has drawn the most attention and heated debate is being hashed out by a group of voters who gathered in Watertown this week, and in the end, they will come up with a statement about Question 4, the proposal to legalize the sale of marijuana. On the first day of the four day process, the group of 20 voters chosen from around the state heard presentations about the current law, and from the Yes and No campaigns for Question 4. The group gathered at the Atrium School in Watertown, and the process, called the Citizens’ Initiative Review, is a pilot of a program that is supported by Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht. Current laws regarding marijuana are confusing. In Massachusetts it was decriminalized in 2008 and medical marijuana was legalized in 2012, however, in federal law it remains illegal, but is in Schedule 1, the lowest, least serious of the five federal categories.

Elections

LETTER: Concerned Homeowners Group Opposes Proposed CPA

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We wanted to share with you the Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association position statement on the Community Preservation Act (CPA) initiative. Let’s all try and remember-this is a TAX. We have heard from many about door knocking campaigns to obtain the required signatures to put the question on the ballot in November. Please find our reasons for opposing the CPA Tax. Reasons to Reject the Community Preservation Act (CPA):

1 – The School Committee reported that we are out of classroom space in our schools, and that means we have a high probability of having to raise taxes to meet that NEED.

Elections

Last Day to Register to Vote in the State Primary Coming Up Soon

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Massachusetts will hold a State Primary on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016, and to take part you must be registered to vote by Friday, Aug. 18. The election includes the Democratic Primary for the District 3 Governor’s Council seat, where incumbent and Watertown resident Marilyn Petitto Devaney faces Peter Georgiou, an attorney from Lincoln. The council advises on the governor on appointments to such as judges, members of the Parole Board and the Industrial Accident Board.

Letters

LETTER: Resident Condemns Trump’s Call for Russians to Release Emails

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Dear Editor:

As an “American Patriot,” I am appalled that Donald Trump would suggest that Putin’s Russia hack and intervene in the American Electoral Process. More appalling to me is the lack of outrage by fellow American Patriots of whatever political persuasion; Republican or Democrat, conservative, liberal or progressive. As far as I am concerned, Trump has abridged the highest level of trust one can confer on a candidate for an office at any level of government whether local, state or national. I was taught as a child to walk a mile in the other person’s shoes before criticizing, but in this case I have to look at the obvious!!!! Can one imagine where or what would have happened to Donald Trump if he had been in Russia during Putin’s last election and he asked the United States Government to hack Vladimir Putin’s emails.