Election 2021

LETTER: Group of Residents Support Candidate for School Committee

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During her current term as School Committee member, Lily Rayman-Read has demonstrated a desire to work with teachers, administrators, and Watertown families, and advocate for all members of our Watertown school community. She is part of a team responsible for the building of 3 new elementary schools and is in advanced planning stages for a new high school in collaboration with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. The execution of these projects has been impressive, leading to the expected completion of the Cunniff and the Hosmer elementary schools ahead of schedule. Lily has been instrumental in bringing transparency and openness to the Watertown School Committee by providing frequent updates on social media and answering questions from the community whenever possible. This level of engagement is an important and welcome change to the way Watertown families can interact with the School Committee.

Artificial Turf

OP-ED: Town Councilors — Make a Choice: Public Health & the Environment or More Game Days

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By Watertown resident Janet Buck

I am writing this letter as a way of trying to make sense of what I heard last week in the debate among the candidates for Councilor at Large. The question asked was about the candidate’s views on the use of artificial turf for town playing fields. Almost everyone expressed a sense of being caught in a terribly difficult dilemma. What is more important – extending the availability of playing fields for Watertown kids who play team sports or protecting the environment? I have to ask – why is this so difficult?

Elections

LETTER: Lifelong Resident Running for Town Councilor At-Large

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I’m James “Jimmy” Mello, a lifelong resident of Watertown and a candidate for Councilor at Large in the November 2nd election. The next Town Council will be responsible for selecting a new Town Manager; this will be the single most important decision that the council will make in about thirty years. My dad came to Watertown to work at the Arsenal, and when he got married, he wanted to raise his family here. I grew up in the West End of Watertown, but over the years, I’ve lived in every district, which gives me a unique perspective as a candidate for Councilor at Large. As a resident, I have experienced issues of concern in those districts, and I can bring that background to the table as a Councilor.

Government

Town Council Moves Toward Creating Trust to Buy, Build More Affordable Housing in Watertown

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Watertown Town Hall

Watertown took a major step this week toward creating more affordable housing by starting the effort to create an affordable housing trust and looking into charging fees to new developments that would go toward affordable housing. Tuesday night, the Town Council voted unanimously to move forward with writing an ordinance that would create the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust, and would dissolve the Watertown Housing Partnership. The Council also approved a study of creating linkage fees for new commercial developments for affordable housing. The Trust would work to create and preserve housing for low- and moderate-income households. Among its powers the Trust would be able to receive properties as donations or gifts, and to buy and sell property.

Elections

Watch the Watertown Election Forum Featuring the Councilor At-Large Candidates

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The Councilor At-Large candidates appeared at the forum Thursday co-hosted by Watertown Cable Access TV and Watertown News. If you missed Thursday’s Councilor At-Large Candidate Forum, or want to see it again, you can watch it online. The forum was co-hosted by Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access TV. The candidates responded to questions about hiring the new Town Manager, affordable housing, issues of diversity and equity, artificial turf and more. To view the form, click here: http://vodwcatv.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/1205?channel=1

Mark your calendar for the School Committee candidate forum on Oct.

District B

LETTER: Open Letter from Council Candidate to Opponent About Concern Over Location of Campaign Event

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Dear Councilor Feltner,

I am writing this letter to express my concern around the location of the campaign event being hosted this afternoon (Oct. 1) on my street: Riverside St. The specific lawn currently, and for the past few years, has signage from the Trump administration, which over four years fostered an environment of hostility toward communities of color and the LGBTQIA+ community, not only in rhetoric, but in the systematic degradation of legal protections and civil rights through policy changes. I am very concerned that this event space may be unwelcoming and othering for residents who identify as Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic, Brown, Asian American/Pacific Islander, People of Color and systemically silenced identities such as LGBTQIA+. While I don’t know the people hosting the event personally, I do want to ensure that potential voters can meet candidates in a non-intimidating space and that all visitors feel welcome on my block.

Election 2021

LETTER: Former Watertown School Committee Member Makes Endorsement

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Dear Watertown Voters, 

I served for three consecutive four year terms on the Watertown School Committee beginning in the late nineties.  

As a candidate, I made one promise to the citizens of Watertown that I would always ask myself one simple question, “Is my vote in the best interest of Watertown’s children?”

This year, there is a school committee candidate, Jennifer (Holt) Nicholson, who I am confident will be asking that same question. I have known Jennifer since she was born. She has grown into a woman who is passionate about education and fully invested in our community.  She has the drive, intelligence, commitment, and above all, the common sense needed to be an excellent School Committee member. 

Please join me in voting for Jennifer Nicholson for Watertown School Committee. Thank You,Steve Messina

Around Town

LETTER: Resident Endorses Candidate for District A Town Councilor

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Dear Editor,

At age 76 years old, this is the first time I have ever written a letter to a newspaper editor. I’m writing today to urge my East End neighbors to vote on November 2 for District A Town Council candidate Nicole Gardner. At a time when local and national political engagement has never been so important, Nicole brings 35 years of corporate leadership experience to our town and neighborhood. I know that she’ll work hard to address issues that matter to me, like affordability, housing and business development, expanding green spaces, and sustainability. To learn more about Nicole’s accomplishments and commitments, I recommend visiting her website, nicoleforwatertown.com.