Pia Owens
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Library Trustees? I love the library, of course! I’ve spent the past few decades building my skills in effective communication and helping organizations accomplish their goals, and I’d like to use these skills in service of my community and public library. With our country turning away from art, science, and education, it feels urgent to take action.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a Library Trustee. During the 20+ years that my family has lived in Watertown, I’ve been deeply involved in our community — as a tutor for Project Literacy, member of the Library Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee, WPS parent, board member of the Watertown Community Foundation and Mosesian Center for the Arts, and dialogue facilitator with Watertown Community Conversations.
Fowler Brown
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Library Trustees? When my family and I moved to Watertown two and a half years ago, the library immediately made us feel at home. We’ve read hundreds of books, used countless library resources, made new friends, and consulted with librarians. The library is the heart of our community here, and when I learned that there were going to be open spots on the board, I wanted to do my part to help an institution that I love to grow and prosper.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a Library Trustee. As a parent who has attended an absurd number of library events, I’ve seen firsthand how vital our library is, as a source of support, education, and resources of every kind.
Xin Peng
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Library Trustees? The library has been a vital partner to the three nonprofits I’m involved with and many community efforts over my six years in Watertown. As an engineering leader in mental health care, I bring strategic and budget planning experience to help the library navigate growing needs with limited resources, and I’m ready to focus my energy on continuing its impact.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a Library Trustee. I grew up in a rural area where the library opened doors for me to become the first in my family to finish high school, college, and graduate school. Later, while volunteering as a teacher in northwest China, I helped create a small network of libraries sharing books and CDs among villages through fundraising so my students didn’t have to walk hours by cliffs to borrow a book.
Greetings East Enders, and Neighbors Beyond,
CONSIDER A VOTE FOR TOM TRACY CANDIDATE FOR WATERTOWN CITY COUNCILOR AT-LARGE. ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH. Tom Tracy is a lifelong Watertown resident. Tom understands the nuances of Watertown’s diverse neighborhoods. Tom Tracy exemplifies what it means to give of oneself for the community where you raise your family, work and enjoy quality of life. Tom Tracy will speak for the people; because through his community interactions, Tom understands the challenges faced by the people who he will represent
Tom Tracy understands the worth of Watertown’s AAA Bond Rating – for 29 years, Tom served as Watertown’s Town/City Auditor – Tom played an integral Team role in formulating stable budgets that culminated in the acme of municipal finance
Tom Tracy personifies “Building for the Future” – Tom has held a leadership role on the School Building Committee since 2018
Please join me in voting for Tom Tracy on Tuesday, November 4th to continue our vision for Watertown’s neighborhood cohesiveness and financial wellbeing. In my opinion: Tom Tracy has earned our respect, votes and support!!! Thank you.
Dear Editor,
I received in the mail today a card from Massachusetts Teachers Association Independent Expenditure PAC supporting a slate of Five Watertown Candidates vying for our two highest elected offices; the City Council and School Committee. A Super PAC being involved in a small, local community such ours should be a major concern. It is uncertain where this leads us in terms of the sphere of influence – local or state? The concern is who will have their ear. A common complaint is that the city is turning a deaf ear to local concerns. Whether this perception is real or not does not matter since perception is difficult to overcome. However, put any of the candidates in a favorable light.
Dear Editor,
Now that the School Committee forums are over, I want to formally endorse. First, an endorsement for two familiar faces and then a new one. Current Member Jessica Middlebrook has a track record of collaborative leadership, focusing on student well-being and equitable access to resources, and actively supporting the expansion of pre-K. These have been informed by her background as a school mental health counselor. Her most recent achievement includes a successful and non-acrimonious labor negotiation.
Monday night, the candidates for Watertown School Committee appeared at a live forum and answered questions about the future of the middle school, the school budget, vocational education, making students and family feel welcome in the Watertown Public Schools, and more. The candidate forum is the fourth hosted by WCA-TV and Watertown News. See how the candidates — David Stokes, Jessica Middlebrook, Joe Ganno, and Sheila Krisnan (Amy Donohue could not attend) — responded to the questions posed by host Maya Shwayder. Watch the video by clicking here: http://vodwcatv.org/internetchannel/show/4171?site=1
More Candidate Forums
On Oct. 6, the candidates running Councilor At-Large — Tom Tracy, Tony Palomba, Theo Offei, John Gannon, and Caroline Bays — appeared at the Middle School Auditorium.
Charlie Breitrose
The following announcement was provided by Housing for All Watertown:
To inform voters on housing issues during the upcoming Municipal Election, Housing for All Watertown has collected detailed questionnaires from all eleven candidates running for City Council this November, including at-large and district council candidates, in both contested races and uncontested races. We’re grateful to the candidates for providing thoughtful responses to our questions about their vision for housing in Watertown, how they will support affordable housing and in-fill development, what they would do to streamline permitting for homeowners, and much more. We will also be holding a housing-focused At-Large Candidate forum on Oct. 26 from 2-3:30pm at the Watertown Free Public Library. We’re excited to hear the At-Large City Council Candidates expand on their views and look forward to a lively discussion.
