District D

LETTER: Former Westside Councilor Endorses Candidate Running for His Old Seat

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I write today to enthusiastically endorse Emily Izzo to be the next District D Town Councilor! Emily is a lifelong resident who attended Watertown public schools. I have known her for decades and cannot think of someone better suited to be a Town Councilor and represent the west end. Not only is Emily uniquely qualified to serve (she is a municipal finance law attorney), her motivation to serve is as humble as it is pragmatic. She grew up here, loves this Town and wants to use her talents in this very field to continue making it the great place it is today.

Election 2021

LETTER: Former Councilor Makes Endorsement for School Committee

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It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I write today to endorse Jennifer (Holt) Nicholson for Watertown School Committee. I have known Jennifer and the Holt family for decades and her character and credentials are almost too good to be true. A potential school committee member who attended and graduated from the school system, currently has kids in that system, is actively involved in leadership roles in the PTO and is a teacher! This level of personal insight into the Watertown school system, combined with a background and training in education, sets Jennifer apart as being exceptionally able to implement positive change and ensure the best possible outcomes for our children. More than even her qualifications, Jennifer’s vision for our schools is one I believe in and share for our students.

Councilor At-Large

LETTER: Watertown Native Seeks to Continue Serve Her Community as Town Councilor

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Megan O’Halloran

My name is Megan O’Halloran and I am excited to announce that I am running for Councilor-at-Large in the upcoming election on November 2, 2021. I ask for your consideration and support. I have lived in Watertown my entire life and I understand what a special community Watertown is. I am fortunate enough to be raising my children in the same house that my grandparents lived in when they arrived in Watertown in the early ’60s. My husband Brian Hazelwood has lived here for almost 20 years, and we have two girls: Charlotte (11) and Catherine (7).

Environment

LETTER: Three Pests Threaten Watertown Trees

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Cornell ExtensionPhoto of a Pear Leaf with Rust. By James Briand of Trees for Watertown

Watertown’s trees face three distinct invasive pest challenges this year. One, Pear Trellis Rust, is a fungus that has been significantly disfiguring the town’s ornamental pear trees. Another, Emerald Ash Borer, is a small beetle that causes the rapid death of ash trees. The third, Spotted Lantern Fly, is an emerging survival threat to a variety of trees, especially fruit trees.

District A

LETTER: Resident Endorses Nicole Gardner for District A Councilor

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I’ve lived in Watertown for more than ten years and in that time I have been active in several local groups, such as the Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment as well as Watertown Community Conversations. I’m writing today to endorse Nicole Gardner for District A Town Councilor because I know that she will bring her outstanding skills and qualities to this role. I encourage my fellow East End residents to cast a vote for Nicole on November 2nd. Nicole and I both served on the Steering Committee of Watertown Citizens for Peace Justice and the Environment, where I observed her excellent listening skills, her spirit of collaboration, and her ability to zero in on a problem and offer a creative solution. She’s a strategic thinker, always exploring the implications of actions that the committee endorsed.  

I’ve been consistently impressed by Nicole’s ability to understand the complex issues facing residents of Watertown, especially evident in our work together with Watertown Forward, which encouraged community engagement in the charter review process.

Letters

LETTER: Are There Plans for Helping Russo’s Employees After Store Closes?

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Editor

Like so many I am disappointed that Russo’s is disappearing next month. I have shopped there since it was a vegetable stand and I presumed that its current version with 250 employees would be around for the rest of my life. Since this is not the case, I am wondering about the fate of all of its employees? Is Russo, like so many companies, providing outplacement services and some months of pay to assist the employees they are letting go land on their feet? If anyone knows, I would be interested to hear.

Commenting

New Rules for Commenting on Election Stories and Candidates

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown Town Hall in 2020. Watertown has a big election coming up on Nov. 2, 2021, with several contested races as well as the proposed Charter changes. The discussion about the candidates and the issues has already become contentions, so in order to provide some accountability when it comes to commenting a new policy will apply to comments on election stories, or those about candidates on other stories. Candidates have put themselves out there and express their opinions and platforms. While it is fair game to question and oppose those things, to make it a level playing field, commenters should also stand behind their opinions by signing their comments.