Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/letters/page/13/)
We take a lot for granted. It’s human nature to live each day believing that what we regard as normal will stay that way. We often cling to this belief even when we know, deep in our gut, that change is inevitable. It’s one thing to deal with change that happens gradually, allowing time to digest it. Even that can be disturbing, but when change comes all at once and seemingly out of the blue, we are likely to find it jarring.
To the Editor:
I just saw on line that Russo’s is closing. This store has been a cherished family-owned retailer for more than 70 years, and we are deeply grateful to Tony Russo and his family and to their wonderful employees for their dedication and hard work – and for all their contributions to our community. We wish Tony and his family a happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement. And we wish the Russo’s employees all the best as they face an uncertain future when Russo’s closes. Russo’s is a gem. What will happen to Watertown when it is gone??!!! I think that all the Russo’s customers — and this includes shoppers from all across metropolitan Boston, not only Watertown — view Russo’s as a unique resource for excellent reasonably-priced produce and fruit, a great bakery, and wonderful source of cheeses and prepared foods — plus plants and gardening supplies and Christmas trees. For many of us, Russo’s is a weekly destination for shopping and for seeing neighbors. Many say that Russo’s has a positive effect on Watertown property values. And I and many others fear that the loss of Russo’s would be a blow to the character of our city.
Watertown organizer, small business owner focusing on community conversations,granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, and parent of 2, running for Town Councilor for District B.
My name is Tiffany York and I am running for Watertown Councilor for District B. I am filled with many emotions as I step into this opportunity. I want to build off of the amazing work folks are doing here in Watertown and I want to represent District B with integrity and vulnerability. I realize many people in Watertown may not know who I am or what I am doing for our city or where I come from, so I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I started my relationship with Watertown in 2009, as I visited my now husband of 11 years, Eric. I remember the community we experienced in our building on Whites Ave., neighbors across the hall, new neighbors to laugh and cry with when a water leak affected three floors.
Dear School Committee,
As far as I’m aware, Watertown has not yet announced a policy for COVID vaccination in schools. I’m writing today to urge you to adopt a mandate as many other jurisdictions are now doing. COVID vaccines are safe and effective, and are by far the most effective way to prevent COVID outbreaks in our schools and keep our teachers and students safe. I got vaccinated at the first opportunity and will get my children vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.
Masks, ventilation, social distancing, and testing can help, but there is a limit to what ventilation can do, and in many ways masks, social distancing, and testing are far more burdensome than getting a vaccine because the vaccine is two doses at single points in time, whereas masks and social distancing restrict what people can do every single day. It seems incongruous to mandate the less effective, more burdensome intervention, while leaving the more effective, less burdensome intervention up to the individual.
State Sen. Will Brownsberger
This week, as the delta variant has spread, we’ve gotten new advice from the Centers for Disease Control, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. I’m personally going with the stronger CDC advice. New general advisory from DPH (July 30)
Today, in response to the emerging evidence of about the infectiousness of the Delta variant of the COVID virus, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a new mask advisory. Masks remain mandatory in certain locations where risks of transmission are higher (including public transportation) and are newly advised in some additional circumstances. The mask rules page on the state’s website now includes the following summary.
Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots in 2020. Dear Watertown Residents,
I strongly urge you to vote in this fall’s municipal elections. As a lifelong resident, I know this election will be consequential! It will set the trajectory for Watertown for many decades to come, just like those held forty years ago did. What you will be voting for on NOVEMBER 2nd:
Town Council is your legislative branch. They chair committees, pass ordinances, make budget recommendations, and most importantly, hire and fire the Town Manager, aka CEO. The Town Manager hires persons such as Assessor and Chief of Police. The current Town Manager is retiring after close to 30 years in the position.
John Airasian declared his candidacy for Town Councilor At-Large. My name is John Airasian and I hope to secure your vote for the Councilor At Large Race on November 2, 2021. I have lived in Watertown my entire life and have seen first-hand the extraordinary changes this community has gone through. I am a graduate of Watertown Public Schools (’95) and co-owner of Eastern Clothing also located here in East Watertown. My wife, Jackie, and I met here, and we have three boys: Vincent (11), Michael (10) and Jack (9).
Nicole Gardner is running for District A Councilor. Dear District A Neighbors,
I’m running to serve as Watertown’s next District A Town Councilor because I love this town and the East End.
When my husband David and I moved here five years ago to be closer to our kids, we really had no idea that the East End would offer so much: a close-knit community, a vibrant mix of cultural institutions, businesses, and restaurants, as well as beautiful public spaces like the river walk, Filippello Park, and Mount Auburn Cemetery. What a dream! Watertown is now at a pivotal moment. As you know so well, the incredible pace of development is bringing significant challenges as well as benefits to our community.